What Is Eczema?

What is eczema and why does it look so different on some people?

Eczema - sometimes referred to as atopic dermatitis - is a serious skin condition and even though over 15% of the population suffers from this condition, the causes of eczema are still not known.

Eczema skin symptoms can range from mild - such as in the case of like dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis)to severe.

Symptoms can include intense itching, dry skin, redness, inflammation, itchy rash, thick rough peeling patches, and sometimes serious infections.

Let's face it - whatever type of eczema you have, it's not fun! 

Eczema symptoms can vary from person to person and some people can develop more than one type at the same time – leaving many people confused about their condition and symptoms.

All of these variations of signs and symptoms makes this a very confusing condition - which is why people are always asking “what is eczema.”

While the exact causes of eczema are not known, we do know two things. It is either due to frequent exposure to something that irritated the skin.

Skin irritants include soaps, detergents or chemicals - or an allergic reaction to something that touched the skin like poison ivy or certain common metals like nickel found in common objects like eyeglasses, jewelry, even buttons.

When the body comes in contact with any of these allergens or irritants, the body's immune system overacts in an attempt to protect itself.

This causes the skin to lose too much water too quickly leaving the skin dry, flaky, and/or cracked.

This also lets things enter the skin too which can cause infections.

Treating Eczema - What To Do

What you use and what you do to treat this condition is very important. Treating eczema is often difficult and unpleasant.

If you're under a doctor's care, what type of prescription medication are you using? It's probably corticosteroids - which is a pretty common treatment.

But it may or may not work and often comes with a long list of side effects including thinning of the skin and other side effects.

What natural options are the best? Anything that is gentle and chemical free.

After all what is eczema? It's a hypersensitivity reaction to environmental additives, chemicals, toxins, preservatives, metals and ingredients that you come in contact with.

So, the sooner you can stop the irritation, the sooner you'll feel better and start to heal.

Natural treatment options include:

• Keeping Your Skin Moist - You'd be surprised how fast skin heals when it's keep hydrated.
• Take Cool Oatmeal Baths - This helps to sooth inflammation and dryness.
• Take Vitamin E - Vitamin E helps to encourage healing from within.

Also, stay away from cleansers, moisturizers, or lotions that contain lots of chemicals, dyes, fragrances.

What type of products should you look for? Well, read the label, if you can't pronounce the ingredients or never head of them....your probably shouldn't use it.

You're best bet is to aim for products that are specifically formulated for sensitive eczema skin.

Usually these products have special ingredients to also provide relief from dry, hot, itchy symptoms. Which can help to you to heal faster.

When you have a better understand of what is eczema, you'll see how important it is to use gentle cleansers, washes and creams.

Because only when you stop the irritation will you find relief from your symptoms and begin to heal.

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