There are different types of eczema, it is is a condition where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, red, cracked, and rough, and it is usually used as a general term. It’s also known as atopic dermatitis.
It affects males and females equally. Some people outgrow the condition, while others will continue to have it throughout adulthood but at least eczema is not contagious.
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What is eczema?
Eczema is a name for a group of conditions that cause the skin to become red, itchy and inflamed. Eczema is a general term for dermatitis, which is the term normally used for inflammation of the skin. All types of eczema cause itching and redness and some will blister or peel. There are several types of eczema, it is relevant to know which type of the condition you have as it affects the treatment you will need.1
While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, researchers do know that people who develop eczema do so because of a combination of genes and environmental triggers. When an irritant or an allergen is exposed to the immune system, skin cells don’t behave as they normally would and therefore cause an eczema flare-up. It can run in the family and it often develops alongside other conditions, such as asthma and hay fever. The condition often appears in young children and babies, but they often outgrow the condition. Nevertheless, adults can still get eczema at any point in their lives even if they’ve never experienced any symptoms as a young child.
Eczema is very common. And in many cases, it’s also manageable.
What causes eczema?
As mentioned above, the exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to develop due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Even though the cause might be unclear it is good to be aware of the fact that it exists in several different types, that might need different treatment. Here we have listed the types of eczemas you should be aware of:
- Atopic dermatitis
- Contact dermatitis
- Dyshidrotic eczema
- Nummular eczema
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Stasis dermatitis
Though there are several distinct types of eczema, it is possible to have more than one type at a
time.
Possible triggers
It’s important to remember that eczema affects everyone differently and that one person’s triggers may not be the same as another’s. You might experience symptoms at certain times of the year or on different areas of your body.
Here we have listed some of the typical triggers:
- Dry skin
- Irritants
- Stress
- Climate and sweating
- Skin Infections
- Allergens
- Food allergies
- Certain clothing material
- Hormones
As mentioned above everyone might react differently on triggers, and it’s important to make some notes and try to remember when the flare-up appears to try and avoid them in the future.
Symptoms
There are usually periods when the symptoms improve or disappear, followed by periods where they worsen. So-called flare-ups may occur as often as two or three times a month. This condition may occur all over the body, but is most common on the hands, the insides of the elbows or backs of the knees, and the face and on the scalp in children.
People with mild eczema may have small areas of dry skin that occasionally gets itchy. On the other hand, some cases, can cause red and inflamed skin all over the body and a constant itch. Areas where the skin is affected by eczema may also turn temporarily darker or lighter after the condition has improved. This is more noticeable in people with darker skin.
When should I see a doctor?
It’s important to understand which type of the condition you or your child may have and also keep an eye on the symptoms and triggers so that you can best treat and manage your eczema. But the only way to be sure is to make an appointment with your GP.
It’s important to know that eczema can cause skin infections, so keeping an eye on the affected areas is important. Contact your doctor as soon as you suspect a potential infection.
Treatments options
There is no cure for eczema but there are treatment options. These might vary from what type of eczema you’re affected by. Eczema can easily be managed with different types of creams that can be bought over-the-counter, and also for more severe cases, you can get a prescription from your GP.
When affected by this skin condition some easy tricks can help avoiding flare-ups in the future, just by using right moisturizing creams and having good hygiene. Also avoiding triggers, and using the right medication prescribed by your doctor, can help you decrease the itching and redness of the skin.
With all this in mind, there is some medications that is often used in treatments of eczema, these are:
Can I buy eczema treatments Online in the UK?
As it is the case with most products in the 21st century, eczema treatments too can be bought online fairly easily. However, you should keep in mind that most of these medicines are prescription-only so you will still have to provide the online clinic of your choice with a valid prescription issued by a certified medical professional.
If it is your first time using these types of medicines, you will first have to consult with a doctor so he/she can gain insight into your medical profile and history and assess your suitability for the use of this medicine. This is usually accomplished either through a customised questionnaire or a live chat app available on the online clinic’s website. In either case, the doctor will ask you a series of questions and if everything is in order, your prescription will be issued soon as possible.
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