Parents: Issues You May Face When Your Child Has Eczema [ March 3rd, 2010 ] Posted in » Uncategorized

Eczema Free Forever

If your child was recently diagnosed with eczema, also commonly known as atopic dermatitis, you have a long road ahead. Although eczema is easily treated at home, there are many hard issues that you, as a parent, will face.

Nighttime Itching

You might assume that nighttime itching is the same as daytime itching for children with eczema, but it can be very different, especially in small children. Although they do not fully understand the complications that can arise from constant scratching, children are aware of their actions during the day. On the other hand, many small children continue to scratch in the middle of the night, without even being aware of their actions. This type of eczema is difficult to treat, as you cannot spend every night grabbing your child’s arm before they itch.

To combat the nighttime itching that is common among children with eczema, look for doable alternatives. If dust is a trigger factor, keep your child’s room clean and dust-free. If sweat is a trigger factor, dress them in light clothes and keep their room a cool temperature. If you don’t know the cause, try to keep areas susceptible to itching, such as the arms and legs, covered.

Pain

An eczema outbreak starts out relatively pain free. It typically begins with a simple itch that can’t stop. Soon, your child may find themselves literally digging at their skin. They mistakenly believe this will make the itch go away, but it doesn’t and it only gets worse. Severe rashes and the open wounds caused by constant scratching can lead to pain and discomfort. No parent wants to see their child in pain. That is why you must stop it at the source. Work with your child and his or her doctor to determine your child’s trigger factors. These are what cause the uncontrollable urge to itch. In the meantime, keep your child’s skin well moisturized.

Concern from Other Parents

Although eczema and atopic dermatitis are common among small children, you are likely to get many stares on the playground. This is most common if your child’s eczema rashes can be seen by other parents. Although you should keep your child’s open wounds covered to prevent infection, don’t just cover them to please others.

“Is eczema contagious?” That is a common question that many parents may ask. Unfortunately, some parents don’t even ask, they may automatically assume it is. You and your child owe no one an explication, as eczema is nothing but an inflammation of the skin. However, you may want to spread the word. As heartbreaking as it is to see other parents and kids point out your child’s eczema rash, it is a normal reaction that most don’t know how to avoid.

These are just a few of the issues you may face as the parent of a child with eczema. Since your child is young and does not fully understand their skin condition, you must work with them to seek relief.

Beat Eczema By Avoiding the Main Causes

Eczema Free Forever

Eczema causes the uncontrollable urge to itch. By the time you are done, you may be left with a painful open sore. One of the ways to stop outbreaks is to determine the cause of yours. Get started by familiarizing yourself with the most common causes. Is your listed? If so, you may soon be on the path to relief.

Common Eczema Cause: The Weather

For eczema sufferers, the weather not only determines their activities for the day, but it also determines what their skin will do. The weather can work both ways. Some patients experience complications with cold weather. Sometimes, their body doesn’t have enough time to adjust to the cold weather before strenuous activity and then arrives the urge to itch. On the other hand, hot weather can lead to an eczema outbreak. In this case, it isn’t necessarily the weather, but the sweat caused by warm temperatures.

Common Eczema Cause: Airborne Allergens

When we think of allergies, stuffy noses and sneezing often come to mind. However, those suffering from eczema can have a skin reaction, which leads to itching and then a rash. This results when the airborne allergen makes contact with the skin. A good example is dust. When during or vacuuming a home, tiny particles find their way into the air and on the skin. This causes irritation, which leads to itching.

Common Eczema Cause: Stress

Many medical professionals claim stress isn’t a cause of eczema, but they do agree it can lead to an increase in outbreaks. Who would know that stress impacts our skin? It does. Those who have a history of skin inflammation are encouraged to practice relaxation techniques.

Common Eczema Cause: Certain Chemicals

Right about now, you may be thinking “but I don’t use harmful chemicals.” It isn’t just harmful chemicals that can cause skin irritation. Chemicals found in everyday products, such as laundry detergent, makeup, and perfume can lead to an eczema outbreak. This is due to the extremely close skin contact.

Common Eczema Cause: Food

You have likely heard the phrase “you are what you eat,” and this is true. You may be surprised to hear the foods that we eat can impact our skin. Unfortunately, tasty foods, such as peanuts and seafood, are common trigger factors for those with eczema.

You now know a few of the most common causes of eczema or atopic dermatitis, but now what? Once you are able to determine the cause of your uncontrollable urge to itch, you can work on eliminating the trigger factor. Until then, keep your body well moisturized and, as difficult as it is, fight the urge to itch.

January 19th, 2010 | 27 Comments

Eczema: Common Trigger Factors to Avoid

Eczema Free Forever

Eczema flare-ups are caused by several factors. Until sufferers are able to determine and avoid their trigger factors, itching and painful rashes will always be an issue. Luckily, medical professionals have developed a list of common trigger factors. These factors, a few of which are outlined below, may be the cause of your uncontrollable scratching.

Eczema Trigger Factor #1 – Skin Irritants

The phrase “skin irritants,” cover a wide range of items. Basically, anything unnatural that comes in close contact to the skin has the potential to be a skin irritant. Common examples include laundry detergent, scented lotions, makeup, perfume, and wool clothes. If you feel the urge to itch not long after putting on your clothes or undergoing your daily routine, skin irritants may be your eczema cause. To determine if so, make the switch. If you itch while wearing wool, opt for cotton clothes instead. If your hands and face itch after applying makeup, go without for a few days to look for an improvement. If you suspect your laundry detergent is to blame, opt for a low or free chemical detergent instead.

If you make the necessary changes and no longer feel the need to itch, you have not only determined your eczema trigger factor, but learned how to successful avoid another outbreak.

Eczema Trigger Factor #2 – Food

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to determine if food is the cause of your eczema outbreaks. Most experts turn to food when no other cause is found. Although any food in your diet can lead to the uncontrollable urge to itch, there are some common food trigger factors. Milk, wheat, seafood, eggs, and peanuts are usually to blame. If you notice an itching outbreak following the consumption of these foods, begin eliminating them from your diet.

If you believe a certain food causes your eczema outbreaks, eliminate it from your diet. This can be difficult if it is a favorite of yours, but think of the long term benefits. No more uncontrollable itching that leads to open wounds, decreasing the risk of skin infections.

Eczema Trigger Factor #3 – Allergens

Whether indoor or outdoors, air-borne allergens are present. They are a common cause of eczema outbreaks. A patient who finds themselves scratching away at their skin may have just dusted or vacuumed their home. The itching is due to the skin contact made by the dust. Mold and dander from pets are other common causes too. If you suspect these cause your eczema flare-ups, eliminate them as an issue. If dust is the problem, don’t avoid dusting or vacuuming your home. Instead, wear long clothing and protective gear when doing so. Overcoming eczema means addressing the causes and working around them.

The above mentioned eczema trigger factors are some of the most common reasons for the uncontrollable urge to itch.

December 7th, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Eczema Causes: Frequently Asked Questions

Eczema Free Forever

Those who suspect they have eczema often have many questions. Some of those questions are about the cause. Please continue reading on for a list of frequently asked questions and their answers.

Question: Did I do something wrong?
Answer: Eczema creates the uncontrollable urge to itch and scratch. The skin is irritated. Unfortunately, this can result in a larger red rash. That rash when itched more can turn into a patch of dry scaly skin or a blister-like sore that oozes. At this point in time, you may want to shout out “what did I do to deserve this?” The answer is nothing. Eczema is a common skin condition. Although you did nothing to cause eczema, there are steps you can take to treat it and prevent flare-ups. The easiest being keep your skin well moisturized.

Question: What is the cause of eczema?
Answer: There are many different causes. Eczema outbreaks and flare-ups happen to different people and for different reasons. Although there is no one cause for eczema, those with sensitive skin are prone. As for what can cause trigger a flare-up, it can be certain foods, certain chemicals, the weather, and stress even plays a role.

Question: Can I cure my eczema if I find the cause?
Answer: Not likely. While some individuals have one sole cause for eczema outbreaks and flare-ups, others have many. You may find yourself itching and scratching after sweating from the hot weather, after using scented body wash, or after drinking milk. Determining the cause of your uncontrollable itch and eliminating at a source will help, but you are still and may always be prone to episodes.

Question: Will my children develop eczema too?
Answer: Many adults wonder if they can pass eczema onto their children. Yes, you can. Medical professionals have determined that children with immediate family members who have atopic dermatitis are susceptible to the condition too. On that same note, there are many instances in which it is not passed down. In fact, some children develop and live with eczema, but have no prior family history.

Question: How can I treat eczema?
Answer: As stated above, there isn’t a known cause for eczema, but medical professionals are aware of trigger factors. These make eczema worse or cause a flare-up. In addition to keeping your body well moisturized, you can try to determine your trigger factors and avoid them. Keep a daily journal of your day. Document all the foods you eat, what activities you were doing, what products came into contact with your skin and so forth. Compare your journal to an outbreak.

October 25th, 2009 | Leave a Comment

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