The onset of Ayurvedic treatment for Eczema is characterized by dry skin and itching. As the condition progresses, it flares up into visible inflammation on the skin that hurts to touch and even causes constant itching. Scratching the itch often leads to a double whammy of inflammation and worsens the condition.
While the rash may appear without prior indications, researchers have found that Eczema is a genetic condition triggered or aggravated by allergens, pollution, dust, soaps, and other environmental factors.
Knowing your triggers is the stepping stone to curbing the symptoms of Eczema and preventing recurrence.
If your symptoms are consistent with that of Eczema, it is essential to know its type so that you can seek treatment and manage your symptoms before they worsen.
Types of Eczema
Eczema can be classified into different types based on its symptoms and duration. Let's briefly understand the various types of Eczema.
Atopic Eczema
Atopic Eczema is common among children under the age of 10, but there's a possibility that it can affect men and women of all ages. It starts with your skin feeling itchy and dry, gradually developing into rashes and small, raised bumps. The most common areas where atopic Eczema occurs are behind the knees and on the chest. Because of excessive scratching, the affected skin may become sensitive and sore to the touch.
Discoid Eczema
Discoid Eczema or discoid dermatitis is characterized by chronic inflammation, itching, and crusty patches on the skin that sometimes ooze pus. The infection may either spread throughout the body or remain confined in a particular area as small, circular patches, which may be a few millimeters to a couple of centimeters in diameter.
Although discoid Eczema is treatable and non-contagious, it may resurface sporadically, especially on the hands, lower legs, and forearms. It generally affects men and women in their golden years or as early as their 50s.
Xerotic Eczema
Also known as winter itch, xerotic Eczema is characterized by excessive dryness in the skin brought on by cold weather. Because of the lack of proper moisturization, the skin may appear patchy and rough, with scaling along the arms and legs. In most cases, the symptoms can be improved by applying a moisturizer; however, some extreme cases may require medical intervention and preventive measures.
Besides cold weather, xerotic Eczema can also be caused by zinc deficiency, diuretic medicines, or when the body's water content drops below 20%. If your symptoms do not improve despite taking care of your skin, you should consult a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment advice.
Contact Dermatitis
Did you ever develop a rash under your wristwatch that you wear every day? That's contact dermatitis in a nutshell. Contact eczema/dermatitis occurs when an allergen directly interacts with your skin or when sweat stays on your skin for a long time.
People who wear wristwatches, jewelry pieces, fragrances, or cosmetics may develop a rash, resulting in itching, inflammation, and burning sensations.
In most cases, contact dermatitis heals on its own if you avoid contact with the substance that caused it. However, you can take a few measures to speed up healing.
As part of general skincare, clean the rash using antibacterial soap and avoid moisture or sweating in the affected area.
Venous Eczema
Venous Eczema's Eczema has symptoms like any other type, except that it primarily affects older people. The skin becomes dry and flaky, with redness and visible veins. It is also called gravitational Eczema because it saturates the lower legs as if pulled down by gravity.
Causes Symptoms
Itchiness, dry skin, and rashes are the initial symptoms of Eczema. These symptoms indicate you came into contact with a trigger in your environment that aggravated your symptoms. Your chance of experiencing an eczema flare-up in the future can be reduced by identifying environmental factors and avoiding them as and when possible.
Eczema symptoms vary from person to person and can appear on different body parts, including hands, legs, lips, etc. It is expected to mistake eczema symptoms for a common rash caused by a temporary allergic reaction or insect bite.
To help you gain clarity, here are some of the most common symptoms of Eczema outlined by medical practitioners:
- Cracked, dry skin
- Itchiness (pruritus) (pruritus)
- A rash on swollen skin of a different color depending on the skin tone
- Small, raised pimples on dark-skinned individuals
- Extra-thick skin
- The skin around the eyes becomes darker.
- Raw and itchy skin caused by scratching.
Causes of Eczema
There are several eczema causes:
- Surroundings: Many things in your environment can irritate your skin. Some are smoking, inhaling pollutants, using harsh soaps, wearing wool, and certain skin care products that aren't meant for your skin type. Your skin may become dry with low humidity (dry air). Further, sweating can be brought on by heat and excessive moisture, which can worsen itching.
- Your genes: You are more likely to develop the condition if you have a family history of Eczema or dermatitis. You are at a higher risk if you have a history of allergies, fever, or asthma. Pollen, pet hair, and foods are examples of common allergens. Another possibility is that genetic mutation prevents your skin's barrier function from functioning correctly.
- Emotional catalysts: Your emotional well-being could affect your skin's health, which could aggravate eczema symptoms. You may experience eczema flare-ups more frequently if you have high levels of stress, anxiety, or depression.
- Immune system: Your immune system reacts to even minute allergens or irritants (triggers) in your environment if you have Eczema. It interprets minor irritants as harmful foreign invaders like bacteria or viruses when you come into contact with a trigger. The triggers consequently cause your body's defense mechanisms to go into overdrive. Inflammation is the immune system's defense mechanism, so eczema symptoms show on your skin.
It's uncertain if food allergies and Eczema are related. One reason you must avoid specific food items if you have a food allergy is that they could aggravate your eczema symptoms.
Typical allergic reactions include
- Peanuts
- Dairy
- Eggs
Pay close attention to your diet. You may be allergic to food if your Eczema flares up after eating it. No food items can cause or aggravate Eczema unless you have a food allergy.
Body Parts Affected
Eczema is caused when any object makes contact with the skin and causes an inflammatory response. Thus, the area of the redness is a significant indicator of what triggered the allergy. For instance, Eczema in your earlobes is more likely to occur because of a piece of jewelry than any other trigger. Some connections, though, are less obvious: because we prefer to touch our necks, you can get a reaction on your neck from a product that came into contact with your hands. Even a product transferred onto your skin by another person (like a mother holding her newborn), a piece of clothing, or even the air might cause an allergic reaction!
According to the area on the body, the following are the most typical causes of contact eczema:
Scalp Eczema: Hair color, perms, shampoos, and other hair care products can cause scalp eczema.
Eczema on the face: Cosmetics (preservatives, scents, etc.), personal care items, topical medications, sunscreens, and airborne allergens can all cause Eczema on the face
Eczema on lips: Cosmetics, drugs, toothpaste, and musical instruments can cause Eczema on the lips.
Hand Eczema is the most troublesome area because we touch many things daily at work, at home, and during our daily activities.
Eczema on legs: Clothing, bandages, and topical medications
Eczema on the neck: Jewelry, cosmetics, and hair care items
Eczema on foot: Footwear dyes, nail polish, adhesives, and tanning agents
Herbs/Herbal Remedies
The dry, itchy skin caused by Eczema can be treated with natural treatments and home remedies. Natural eczema remedies may not cure the condition completely, but they can help control the symptoms and stop flare-ups.
Here are some herbal treatments and herbs for Eczema:
Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera gel is produced from the leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe vera gel has been used for generations to cure various illnesses. One typical benefit is that it instantly helps you find some relief from Eczema. Skin infections, which are more likely to arise in people with dry, cracked skin, can be avoided owing to aloe vera's antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. The skin-soothing and wound-healing qualities of aloe may aid in the healing process.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Avena sativa, or colloidal oatmeal, is prepared with oats that have been pulverized and boiled to release their healing powers.
Colloidal oatmeal is simple to use. Just add some powder to a warm bath and soak. Select a colloidal oatmeal product in which oats are the only ingredient, and avoid those that contain additives or scents. Pure colloidal oatmeal is available in health food stores and online.
People of all ages can safely consume colloidal oatmeal. However, those who have oat allergies should steer clear of it. People with gluten allergies should also use caution because manufacturers frequently process oats with wheat.
