Home Eczema The Prevalence of Atopic Eczema
The Prevalence of Atopic Eczema
Skin Care - Eczema
One of the most common skin conditions that could affect the whole body is eczema. The first sign of eczema is the growth of pustules on the skin that oozes, appears to be scaly, forms blisters, is reddish and even brownish, and is very itchy. One of the types of eczema is atopic eczema. Dermatologists also refer to this as atopic dermatitis. Atopic means that the skin becomes inflamed. The nose and the lining of the lungs could also be affected. Atopic eczema, like some allergies, can be inherited. Allergies like asthma, skin sensitivity, and hay fever can also be hereditary. It has been observed that when one person in a family has a history of atopic eczema, his or her siblings, aunts and uncles, and parents could also have the same condition.

This type of eczema is common all round the world. Around 3 percent of the population of the United States and 10 percent of infants in the whole world has this skin condition. Atopic eczema can appear at any time during a person’s lifetime, but babies and young adults are observed to be more prone to it. Around 65 percent of those who have atopic eczema usually already manifest symptoms even before they are one year old. Atopic eczema is commonly sighted on the forehead, ears, neck, arms, and legs. Usually, it will first appear on one of the abovementioned areas and then spread on to other parts of the body.

No immediate cure has been found yet for atopic eczema. However, doctors and many drug companies have developed a regimen to fight this skin condition. As soon as you see your doctor or your dermatologist, a significant change in lifestyle may be one of the first remedies that they would recommend. While lifestyle cannot actually cause the eczema, it can seriously aggravate the skin condition, making it harder to get rid of. Your doctor or your dermatologist will also conduct a skin test for allergies. This is done in order for them to know if you have been exposed to allergens regularly. Scented creams, lotions, and soaps can have chemical allergens that can affect your eczema. Often, those suffering from this skin condition have extremely dry skin. This can cause or be the result of the eczema. Women often make the mistake of alleviating dry skin with more amounts of lotion, and these lotions are usually the ones containing fragrances or scents. The chemicals present in these scented lotions can serve as triggers to other allergies.

Your doctor or dermatologist will prescribe specific creams and lotions that could alleviate the symptoms of atopic eczema. These could reduce itchiness and soothe the burning sensations in the affected areas. While some of these can be bought over the counter in drugstores, some require prescriptions. Once you suspect that you have atopic eczema, see your doctor as soon as possible.