Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Atopic Eczema - Symptoms and Recommended Treatments

By Marjorie J. Lewis


One of the kinds of eczema would be the atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis which can be basically abbreviated as AD. Because the name suggests, it's a chronically relapsing skin disorder that is characterized by itching and inflammation. It's a non-contagious illness. This illness has been offered many names, like infantile eczema, flexural eczema, endogenous eczema and neurodermitis. The primary eczema treatment may be the timely prevention as derived from the proverbial quotation, "Prevention is far better than cure".

The victim's skin becomes sensitive, provoking abnormal response to environmental allergens, food and irritants. It shows vulnerability to the bacterial epidermal infections and becomes red and flaky. Among affected humans, the most susceptible areas are flexural surfaces of the joints. Atopic eczema often accompanies other atopic disorders like allergic conjunctivitis, asthma, hay fever etc. With the passage of time its severity either worsens or diminishes. This disease is also found in domestic dogs, and it is virtually different from psoriasis.

The best eczema treatment is to discover the stimuli of allergic reactions and try to get protection against them. Once seldom agreed upon, the contribution of food itching to AD (atopic Dermatitis) is now widely believed. These food allergens include corn, soy, wheat, yeast, cheese, nuts, tomatoes and milk. Such common allergens are not found in the products of specialty health food stores. So, one precautionary measure is the diet regulation like histamine free diet benefits about one third victims. Breastfeeding also helps in eczema treatment. Avoidance of smoking, environmental dust and positive modification in life style aids in curing atopic eczema. In case the victim is severely suffering, even after the removal of hazardous allergens, the disease is not relieved because it takes time for the human immune system to settle down.

Besides medication for eczema treatment, topical treatment is based on the reduction of both inflammation and dryness of the skin. Among moisturizers, the petroleum jelly reduces water loss up to 98 %, thus considered most effective. Stratum corneum ceramide deficiency causes barrier abnormality in atopic dermatitis. Both prescriptive drugs, like Epiceram and other non-prescriptive creams like Cerave and Aveeno are usually rich in ceramide content, thus curing the disease. The brand Hylira is a lotion containing sodium hyaluronate which is generally prescribed. Keeping the showers short and at lukewarm temperature and using a soap substitutes is usually recommended.

Some other eczema treatment methods involve the employment of antibiotics, light or ultra-violet therapy and alternative implies like the application of Zemaphyte which is herbal formulation of Regular Chinese Medicine. Secondary bacterial infections are dealt with the application of sodium hydrochloride, about 120 ml within a bathtub brimming with water accompanied with the nasal application of mupirocin.

Extensive research is being carried out on mice like the administration of Mycobacterium vaccae through which AE-like lesions could be prevented in humans. Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council is carrying out research in the UK to find out the effect of natural molecules on the skin. Atopic eczema possibility has tripled in the United States alone during last almost thirty years and industrialized countries usually show 10 to 20% of children and 1 to 3% of adult cases of the affected.




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