Skin and Eczema

How to treat eczema

2012-02-11T12:34:00.000-08:00

There are a number of methods that have been suggested on how to treat eczema and there are a lot of people who would love to know the simplest way to treat the said skin disease. Eczema does not really pose a great risk to one’s health; however, it could cause inconvenience and discomfort to the person afflicted with this skin condition. In addition, it could also cause embarrassment as eczema could also be unpleasant to look at.

Eczema is a skin condition characterized by itching, redness, irritation and dry flaky skin. The means of how to treat eczema vary depending on the cause of its appearance.

Tips on How to Treat Eczema

There are two major ways to treat eczema. First is with the use of drugs that would help decrease sensation of itching, and the second method is treating the eczema with the employment of natural remedies.

Drugs for treating eczema

Topical steroid based creams are usually prescribed by doctors to relieve the itching brought about by eczema. These creams contain anti-inflammatory ingredients that would aid in controlling the burning sensation, flare ups and the itchy feeling on the site of rash. Using this cream could help, nevertheless, the excessive use of these steroidal creams also have disadvantages. These drugs could thin the skin and create unsightly stretch marks as well. Meanwhile, diphenhydramine pills help in controlling the itch but can cause drowsiness. Another medication that could help treat eczema is oral vitamin E. Vitamin E is an essential antioxidant that does wonders for the skin.

Natural treatment for eczema

Nowadays, more and more people are searching for ways on how to treat eczema naturally. Below are some great tips that could be very helpful to people who prefer natural home remedies for eczema.

• Oatmeal bath – An oatmeal bath would greatly help relieve the itchiness and flare ups of eczema.
• Fruits and vegetables – These contain natural vitamins that the body needs. Unlike oral vitamins E and A, fruits and vegetables are not fat soluble so the nutrients from these foods are not stored in fatty tissues.
• Coconut oil - Coconut oil is a very effective natural moisturizer. Not only that, but it also helps repair damaged skin tissues.
• Probiotics - Probiotics are good bacteria found in certain products like yogurt and probiotic supplements. These beneficial bacteria help fight off harmful organisms or substances that try to invade the body. As such, they would greatly help in protecting the skin from materials that could possibly make the eczema worse.
• Red clover – This is a famous natural remedy for skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema.
• Others – Other natural remedies would include nutmeg powder, fish oil, starflower oil, mashed papaya seeds and blackcurrant seed oil. These cited examples are applied topically on the site of eczema and would greatly help in the healing process.

The aforementioned tips on how to treat eczema are very easy to apply to and use, even though there are still no approved therapeutic claims, a lot of people have tried and attested that these natural ways had helped alleviate the suffering brought about by eczema.

How to Manage Eczema

One of the techniques on how to treat eczema is to know how to manage the said disease. You should know how to combat the itchiness when it arises and what to do in order to prevent it from happening again. Here are some tips on how to manage eczema:

• Avoid wearing tight fitting clothes, soiled or dirty garments and clothing made of materials that might irritate the skin, such as lycra. When these clothes get in contact with the skin, it would cause irritation and itchiness. Wear something comfortable and soft against your skin instead.
• Stay away from hot places. Heat and sweat would also irritate the skin and could cause eczema flare up.
• Avoid using medicated and scented lotions. These cosmetics contain strong chemicals that could worsen the case of eczema. Herbal oils such as coconut oil is the best alternative to moisturize the skin.
• Regular bathing or cleaning of the site of the eczema is also advisable since good hygiene could really be helpful in fighting off bacteria that threaten to trigger more irritation to the skin.
• Choose what you eat. Be careful not to eat anything you are allergic to. Allergic reactions could flare up the eczema.
• When the eczema starts to itch, do not scratch hard on the affected area. Because the more you scratch, the more irritated the eczema rashes would get.

There are plenty of ways on how to treat eczema. The tips mentioned above are just some of the recommendations and suggestions for faster healing. Self discipline and patience is also the key in managing eczema more effectively and quickly.

Xerotic Eczema (winter itch) - Treatment, Causes, Symptoms, Pictures

2011-12-01T11:39:00.000-08:00

Xerotic eczema is also called 'winter itch, it is a skin disorder that is characterized by the presence of extremely dry skin. Dry skin is often called xerosis and hence the name. The name has its origins in a Greek word called ‘xeros’ which means dry.
Xerosis should not be confused with psoriasis which is an extremely serious condition or with another disease known as ‘cirrhosis’ of the liver.

Symptoms of xerotic eczema

• Xerotic eczema is a skin condition that is common and not infectious.
• It tends to occur more frequently during the winter months or during fall when there is low humidity. However, most cases of Xerotic eczema that lead to dry skin result from excessive bathing or showering
• There is progressive drying out of the skin during the cooler months.
• Many people afflicted with xerotic eczema often refer to it as ‘Winter Itch’ because the condition tends to worsen during this season
• A greater frequency of baths can lead to irritation of the skin, increased dryness as well as itching.
• The areas of the body such as the arms, the legs and the trunk region have deficient oil glands and hence such areas are more prone to be afflicted with xerotic eczema
• The drying out of the skin causes the uppermost layer to become stiff and dead. When one bends a body part that has a layer of dead skin, it results in the development of cracks. This can lead to the development of deep rooted fissures on the skin which can become inflamed and irritated leading to severe itching

Causes of xerotic eczema

• One of the most surprising causes of dry skin is water. One usually thinks that water helps the retention of moisture and the prevention of dry skin. But this is not the case. Water takes away all the essential skin oils that are necessary to retain the skin-water. It is the presence of this natural water on skin that gives it the soft and supple texture. But the normal standards of the society ask for vigorous hygiene that results in excessive cleanliness and hence dry skin.
• The skin has a natural layer of oil that protects it from excessive dryness. However, when one has excessive baths, this protective layer of oil is washed away as well along with the dirt. This leads to the extreme dryness of the skin that is symptomatic of xerotic eczema.
• One can safely say that xerotic eczema is a condition that is of recent development, because of the increased standards of personal cleanliness. In the olden days, the number of baths was limited to one a day or even one in two days and there were no cases of the condition. Thus, the few baths actually provided the opportunity for the re-accumulation of the layer of oil on the skin.
• Xerotic eczema does not affect only one particular age group or gender. Men and women as well as children, teenagers, middle-aged and older individuals, all have also reported cases of xerotic eczema on the less oily regions of their body. It may however be noted that older people are more prone to increased dryness of the skin than younger ones.
• Besides age, excessive and numerous baths and colder weather there is one more factor that results in faster drying of the skin leading to xerotic eczema. This is the use of anti-bacterial soaps which have an increasing tendency to dry out the skin. Hence it is essential to choose the right type of soap or bathing items to prevent the drying out of the oil layer on the skin.

Treatment of xerotic eczema

• The best way to treat xerotic eczema is to decrease the number of baths to a minimum of one a day or even one in two or three days. This will help in the re-accumulation of oil on the affected areas of the body. Once the condition has disappeared, individuals can revert to a single bath a day.
• One can get an effective bath and remain clean by following the basic principle of baths that consists of the three ‘gets’, i.e. “get in, get the body clean and then get out”.
• The use of excessive bath oils along with the bath water can result in shower accidents such as slipping and falling. Hence it is advised to use only some amounts of bath oil to apply it on the affected areas of the skin that are already wet. Once the bath is complete, one should use a soft towel to lightly dry off the water from the body so as to prevent the rubbing-off of the bath oil.
• In case one has an extreme case of xerotic eczema, one can use creams or lotions to soothe the dry, inflamed and itchy skin.
• In case the affected areas are very large, then the use of lotions instead of creams is recommended. One must also take care to apply enough amount of lotion to keep the affected areas moist and soft.

Winter itch (Xerotic Eczema) pictures

Here are the pictures of winter itch, find out how the skin looks when affected by xerotic eczema.

Nummular Eczema Pictures, Symptoms, Treatment, Causes

2011-11-22T06:52:00.000-08:00

Before we check out the Nummular Eczema pictures, let us know more about this type of eczema.

Nummular dermatitis is also referred to as Nummular Eczema. It is a problem of the skin which is typified by the disc shaped or coin shaped patches appearing on the skin that last for several weeks or months. Nummular dermatitis or nummular eczema is more common in males aged 55 to 65 years old; while females often experience this skin condition during their teenage years to early adulthood, around 15 to 25 years old. On the other hand, nummular dermatitis is very uncommon during childhood.

Nummular eczema causes

Though the exact cause of the nummular dermatitis has not yet been determined, there are various suspected reasons for the existence of this skin problem. Having dry skin can contribute to the appearance of nummular eczema because the lipid layer of the epidermis gets damaged when the skin is dry making it more permeable for environmental irritants. When the irritants come in contact with the damaged skin, there would be adverse reactions.

Another possible reason for nummular eczema would be the medications taken by the person. There are some medications that have side effects that lead to eczema such as the Interferon and Ribavirin therapy. The hypersensitivity to the metals found in the mouth such as dental braces can stimulate the immune system to react to it producing nummular eczema or dermatitis.

The following factors can likewise increase the risk of developing nummular dermatitis:

• Cold weather or very low temperatures can induce the body to produce nummular dermatitis.
• Frequently taking a bath may lead to dryness of the skin, which is more prone to the development of the said skin problem.
• Skin injury from insect bites and burns can make the person more susceptible to nummular dermatitis because the injured skin is exposed to the environmental allergens that cause it.
• Using strong detergents and soaps may irritate the skin thus leading to nummular eczema.
• Stress causes different kinds of skin condition. One of the results of stress would be nummular dermatitis.
• Having a skin infection predisposes the person to nummular eczema because the skin integrity is interrupted.
• Hypersensitivity to materials like rubber, mercury and nickel may also make the person suffer from nummular dermatitis.

Nummular Dermatitis symptoms, signs

Nummular dermatitis or nummular eczema can be mistakenly identified as other skin problems, so keen observation of the signs and symptoms of nummular dermatitis should be done. The following signs and symptoms can help confirm the existence of this skin problem:

• Patches that start as vesicles with serum within and later forming crusts.
• Patches that spread to the different parts of the body, but are found more prominently on the buttocks, legs and arms.
• Extreme itchiness can be felt on the affected areas.
• Round or oval shaped patches with varying sizes; from 0.5 inch to 4 inches or greater.
• The color of the patches also varies. They can be red, pink or brown.
• The patches are well defined.
• The skin found surrounding the patches is clear but tends to be dry and irritated.

How can the occurrence of nummular dermatitis be prevented?

There can be several ways to avert nummular dermatitis, which include the following:

• Skin should be taken cared of properly to prevent dryness and skin injury. Using moisturizers and lotions can help prevent dryness of the skin that can cause nummular eczema or dermatitis.
• When doing activities, make sure to have towels or handkerchiefs to wipe the sweat off to avoid over sweating.
• If the temperature is cold, using appropriate protective clothing can help relieve the coldness.
• Avoid exposing the skin to strong chemicals such as gasoline.
• If feeling stressed out, take time to unwind and relax.
• Using mild detergents and soaps to wash hands and clothes is also helpful.

Nummular Eczema treatment

Nummular dermatitis can be treated by different treatment methods. First and foremost is through thorough care of the skin. Doing the steps that can relieve and prevent the signs and symptoms is the best way to cure the condition. In addition, antibiotics can be taken when the nummular dermatitis has already been infected. Meanwhile, phototherapy or ultraviolet light therapy is used to control severe cases of nummular dermatitis. Corticosteroids, either oral or topical, can also be employed to stop the inflammation. Sometimes, antihistamines are used to prevent itching especially at night when the itchiness is at its peak because of the cold atmosphere. This encourages a more restful sleep and helps thwart extreme scratching of the affected area thus preventing significant skin damage and possible infection.

Nummular dermatitis or nummular eczema is not a grave health condition, but it could be very inconvenient and even annoying to deal with as it may constantly recur. But there are plenty of prevention and treatment methods to aid in managing the condition. If these methods are employed properly and diligently, nummular dermatitis can be controlled effectively.

Nummular Eczema pictures

Pictures of Eczema, Photos, Images, Eczema Types

2011-11-13T07:32:00.000-08:00

A look at the following pictures of eczema will help you understand the type, the cause and the treatment methodology. Eczema is an inflammation of the epidermis, the top layer of the skin, a persistent skin condition that manifests in the form of skin edema or swelling, intense itching, redness of the skin, dryness, itching, blistering, flaking, bleeding and oozing of the skin. The term ‘eczema’ has a Greek origin which means ‘to boil over’

Types of Eczema

1. Atopic Eczema- This is a skin allergy that may have a genetic trait and is seen more in people associated with asthma. You can find itchy rash in the scalp, head, behind knees, buttocks etc. Read more about atopic eczema treatment

2. Contact Dermatitis- Contact Dermatitis are of two types- due to allergy to substances like nickel, poison ivy etc and exposure to irritants like certain chemicals, sodium lauryl sulfate in detergents. Here is more information about contact eczema symptoms, treatment

3. Seborrheic dermatitis –Seborrheic eczema is another term for this type of eczema, which includes peeling of eyebrows, face and scalp. In infants, there is a thick, yellowish crusty rash on the scalp, called cradle cap, which is caused due to lack of biotin. Find out more information about seborrheic dermatitis symptoms, treatment

4. Xerotic eczema- Also called winter itch, Xerotic eczema is caused due to dry skin during the winter, which can worsen and turn into eczema. The itchy skin resembles cracked, river bed, and is more evident in old people

5. Nummular Eczema- Also called discoid eczema, this one is in the form of coin shaped round spots that itch. Nummular eczema is mostly found in the lower part of the body, mostly the legs. Check out more information on discoid eczema symptoms, treatment

6. Dyshidrotic Eczema- Also called house wife’ eczema, this is centered mostly on the sides of the hands, palms, toes, soles etc. The skin thickens, cracks and becomes worse at night. This is a type of hand eczema

7. Lichen Simplex Chronicus- Also known as Neurodermatitis, this type of eczema can become patchy once it is rubbed and scratched. The treatment is in the form of anti-inflammatory medication. Here is more information about lichen simplex chronicus symptoms, treatment

Contact Dermatitis Pictures, Treatment, Causes, Symptoms

2011-08-07T12:32:00.000-07:00

Contact dermatitis or contact eczema is caused by contact with allergens in the form of substances like shampoo, jewelery, food etc. When this potential allergen comes in contact with the irritant skin, it is medically termed as irritant contact dermatitis. An allergic reaction is likely to develop which is then called as allergic contact dermatitis.

Contact Dermatitis Pictures

Symptoms of contact dermatitis

Allergic Contact Dermatitis symptoms

Allergic contact dermatitis happens when the allergen or substance that the individual is allergic to, comes in contact the skin. The person gets these symptoms from this kind of contact dermatitis.
• Scratchy, inflamed, and red skin or dry and rough skin

• Blisters may develop if the reaction is more severe

• Blisters that break, leaving crusts and scaly formations
•
• Flaky skin which can crack
• The skin can become thick, scaly. With time, the skin becomes leathery and dark.

Irritant contact dermatitis symptoms

Irritant contact dermatitis happens when the person is exposed frequently to an irritant like detergent. The symptoms of this type of contact dermatitis includes
• Dry, chapped skin that in time, becomes red, scaly and swollen. The skin can also sting when brought into contact with the allergen. Continuous exposure with the substance can make the skin crack and become too dry and scaly. There are chances of blisters developing into crusty formation and scales.
• If the irritant is strong like acid, the skin can sting, itch and burn. There can be blistering, redness and swelling with scaly formation on the skin.
Once irritant contact dermatitis begins to take form s, exposure to even mild things like water and baby shampoo can make the skin irritate and itch.

Substances that causes allergic contact dermatitis

There are more than 3000 allergens that can lead to allergic contact dermatitis. Some of these substances include
1. Metals: Nickel is one of the most common metal that causes allergic reaction to the skin. Nickel is present in jewelry, foods like chocolates, tomatoes, soy, nuts. The other mental is mercury used in dental fillings that can cause allergic contact dermatitis Gold, chromate, cobalt can also cause allergic contact dermatitis.
2. Clothing and footwear: Detergents that are not washed from clothes, dyes, dirt in clothes and leather, rubber or glue in shoes can also cause allergic contact dermatitis.
3. Fragrances: The scents found in perfumes, makeup, hair and skin, makeup products can trigger an allergic reaction on the skin. If you think that you are using an ‘unscented’ product, you are still at dark because the fragrance may be masked. Go for products that are labeled ‘fragrance free’.
4. Plants: Plants like poison ivy, poison sumac and other plants that make your skin itch can cause contact dermatitis.
5. Concrete-Concrete is one of the leading causes for hand dermatitis, it is known to cause problems long after one stops being in contact with concrete
6. Rubber accelerators found in gym equipment and mouse pads can also cause contact eczema
7. Antibiotic ointment: Over the counter topical antibiotics as well as using prescription creams without listening to the doctor’s advice can also cause allergic contact dermatitis.
8. Exposure to Ultra Violet Rays: This happens when a product like sunscreen cream or a fragrance is applied to the skin and then exposed to the UV rays of the sun. This is known as photo-allergy.
9. Sweating: Sweating can trigger allergic contact eczema. For instance, the person who has an allergy for nickel may not really get the itch, till it comes into contact with the skin.

Irritant contact dermatitis causes

When a substance damages the skin more rapidly than the time the skin can take to heal itself of the irritation, it gives rise to irritant contact dermatitis. Substances that act as trigger here include soaps, detergents, dyes, paints, metals, foods, varnishes, fiber glass, hair dye, cleaners, solvents etc.

Risk factors for contact dermatitis

1. Medical history: If a person has a history of eczema or its common type atopic dermatitis, there can be a risk of allergic contact dermatitis. Genes also play a role.
2. Environment: Extreme heat or a job that increases exposure to allergens can cause contact eczema. For instance, a housewife who is constantly washing clothes with a detergent or cleaning fish can be at risk
3. Age: People below the age of 13 and older people are at risk of contact dermatitis because their immune system is not so strong.
4. Gender: Females are known to be at higher risk for contact eczema
5. Occupation: People who work in certain vocations lke mechanics, janitors, hair-dressers, makeup artists etc are at higher risk of contact dermatitis.

Contact Dermatitis Diagnosis and tests

1. The testing and disagnosis begins with the doctor taking the complete medical history of the patient, including asking questions to the person about his skin condition and maintenance.
2. Patch testing is done to find out the allergen that is causing contact dermatitis. During patch test, tape strips that have few amounts of possible allergens are applied to the back of the patient. The amounts are quite small to cause a reaction, if the person is allergic, it is identifiable easily. After 2 days, the patient is asked to return and the tape is removed. If there is a little red spot, it means that the substance is most likely an allergen. The person is also checked again after 96 hours to see if the skin breaks out later.

Contact Dermatitis Treatment

The first thing is to remove the allergen or irritant that is causing problems to the skin. If the substance continues to come in contact with the skin, the eczema can become even more tougher to treat. For patients who are in a profession or job that makes them come in touch with the allergen they may be asked to overcome this problem by wearing gloves or using a barrier cream.

The treatment for contact dermatitis begins with applying moisturizers and emollients throughout the skin. The doctor may prescribe an oral antihistamine to stop the itch and she may also ask you to apply a topical corticosteroid or a calcineurin inhibitor to suppress the inflammation. In some cases, where there is severe contact dermatitis, the person may be asked to take phototherapy treatments. In case of an infection, antibiotics may be given. If the eczema continues, then corticosteroids may be injected or given orally for a short time to treat the inflammation.

The patient has to avoid the allergens or irritants that are identified. For instance, if nickel is causing the problem, then the person has to avoid it not just in the form of jewelery but also in foods where nickel is present like tomatoes, canned food etc. Your dermatologist will be the best person to help you with this.

Lichen Simplex Chronicus Pictures, Treatment, Causes

2011-08-02T13:16:00.000-07:00

Lichen Simplex Chronicus pictures show that it is a skin problem that is characterized by continuous scratching and itching.

Lichen Simplex Chronicus Pictures

How does Lichen Simplex Chronicus look?

Also called Neurodermatitis or Lichenoid Eczema, this skin problem is characterized by thickened lichenified skin, which looks leathery and brownish. There is a continual scratch-itch cycle. When the person feels stressed or if his skin is rubbed against an irritant like say a cloth, he starts to rub or scatch the area that causes the skin in the part to thicken. Once the skin becomes thick, it causes more itching and the person scratches more, causing Lichen Simplex Chronicus

Lichen Simplex Chronicus Causes

1. Atopic Dermatitis
2. Psoriasis
3. Anxiety, stress, nervousness, depression
4. Allergens or irritants like a rusty blade or even an insect bite which is continuously scratched and not treated

Symptoms of Lichen Simplex Chronicus

1. Long-term itching that may continue for even 2 years or more
2. Whenever the person feels stress, he or she starts to scratch more
3. The skin becomes thick due to itching, the areas affected can be face, neck, forearms, thighs, elbow, leg etc.
4. The skin lesion bears distinct borders
5. The skin becomes brownish and leathery

Lichen Simplex Chronicus Tests

A skin lesion biopsy can be enough to tell the doctor about Lichen Simplex Chronicus. A blood test may also be done to find out if the eosinophils in the blood is high, which is a cause of allergens to cause more problems to your skin.

What if Lichen Simplex Chronicus is not treated

If not diagnosed properly or treated in time, there can be a permanent or strong scar that may be difficult to go. Also, there is chance of bacterial skin infection.

Lichen Simplex Chronicus Treatment

1. There is no cure, but Lichen Simplex Chronicus can be treated. The most important thing is not to scratch the area because that can only deteriorate problem
2. Depending on the condition, the skin doctor may apply topical steroid creams like Desonide, Fucibet(topical antibiotic) or Halobetasol to stop the itching. Peeling agents that contain salicylic acid like Propysalic (which contains Clobetasol Propionate and Salicylic Acid) may be given to reduce the thickness in the lesions. You may be asked to take bath with medicated soap like Aquasoft
3. Antiistamines and tranquilizers may be given to reduce stress and itching
4. Pixel laser treatment may be given after the itching is brought into control to treat scars

Hand Eczema Pictures, Treatment- Hand Dermatitis

2011-08-02T11:51:00.001-07:00

Look at the hand eczema pictures below to find out how hand dermatitis affects the skin. The cause of hand eczema can be either Seborrheic Dermatitis or Atopic Dermatitis, in most cases. We will also talk about hand dermatitis symptoms, causes and treatment.

Hand Eczema Pictures

Hand Eczema symptoms and signs

Hand dermatitis symptoms can become severe without treatment. Let us look at the symptoms:
1. Chapped, dry hands
2. Lesions filled with pus, crusting, itching along with pain
3. Blisters on the skin, the latter may become cracked and weep
4. Hands get a scaly appearance with patches on it while causing inflammation
5. The nails can get deformed if there is no treatment
6. The infection or allergy can spread to the arms and feet if not treated properly or in time.

Risk factors for Hand Dermatitis

1. Hand dermatitis are seen in 80 percent of job related skin problems. Close to 10 percent of people in the US have hand eczema.
2. Newborns and senior citizens are at more risk of hand dermatitis
3. Compared to men, women are at more risk, because as housewives, nurses and stylists, they have to dip their hands in water more often. A study says 30 percent of nurses in US have hand dermatitis.

Causes of hand dermatitis

1. It can be due to genetic problems.
2. An allergic reaction triggers when the body’s immune system reacts uniquely to a particular substance that everyone’s immune system may not over-respond to . In hand dermatitis, it has been seen that the allergens are nickel, rubber, Balsam of Peru.
3. Water and liquids: Frequent contact with water while washing can drain off the oils from the skin. Since the protective skin oil is being removed at a faster pace compared to the replacement, it can make the skin more prone to hand dermatitis.
4. Lack of proper protective gear: Te best example here is gloves. When you are in a profession or job that makes your hand come in contact with allergens, one should have a glove Even removing and putting the gloves back on frequently can cause the germs to get into the gloves and cause irritation.
5. Atopic Eczema: 12 to 24 percent of patients who have atopic eczema have hand eczema as well. People who have atopic eczema during childhood find out that the eczema fades away during their growing area and comes back in later 20s or 30s to hands and feet.
6. Other factors for hand dermatitis : Environmental changes, perspiration and stress are triggers for hand eczema.

Hand Eczema Diagnosis

Hand dermatitis diagnosis can be done through the following tests:
1 Patch testing: Patch testing can find out the cause for hand eczema. This involves applying allergens that are suspected of causing the problem on the back of the individual. If the patient is not allergic, nothing happens but if he or she , there can be some reaction. All reactions do not happen immediately; the patent may be asked to return in 48 hours and then the condition is evaluated.

2. Biopsy: To diagnose hand dermatitis, the doctor may just scrap off some part of the affected skin area and look into the microscope to find out if there is an infection.

3. Medical history: The doctor may be able to find out the condition by looking at the condition of the skin. But he will ask questions about when did the dermatitis happen first, if it is present in other areas and the treatments used so far.

Hand Dermatitis Treatment

1. Depending upon the condition, the doctor may give anything from a mild corticosteroid to a powerful one. You should apply in the same way as instructed by the doctor, lest there may be side-effects. Mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, cyclosporine may be also be prescribed.
2. Antibotics: To clear the infection, a topical or oral antibiotic may be prescribed.
3. Calcineurin Inhibitor: If topical steroids is not fine, the doctor may go for an alternative called topical calcineurin inhibitor. One of the best topical calcineurin inhibitors to treat hand eczema is Pimecrolimus.
4. Phototherapy; Light therapy that has a medicine called psorlen along with UVA light treatment (together called PUVA) can treat hand dermatitis
5. Botulinum toxin type A: In case of people who get hand dermatitis due to excessive perspiration can get comprehensive treatment in the form of regular injections called Botulinum toxin type A; a famous cosmetic treatment.

Prevent Hand Dermatitis

1. You can prevent hand eczema by using emollients and moisturizers.
2. Avoid irritants and allergens that can cause problem to the skin. The patch testing will tell which substances you should stay away. From. For instance, nickel is a common cause of hand eczema; if is found so in the patient’s case, he or she should avoid wearing jewelry that contains nickel and stop foods that have nickel like canned foods.
3. Do not wear the same gloves: Changes the gloves more often and also makes sure that the inside material is clear because irritants can stick there. Also dermatologists say that you should not wear latex gloves.

Halobetasol Propionate

2011-08-01T11:52:00.000-07:00

Here is information on skin and eczema cream Halobetasol Propionate, including side effects and overdose.

Halobetasol is a topical medication for eczema, dermatitis, skin allergies and rash. Halobetasol can relieve the itching, reduce the swelling and itching. Halobetasol is a powerful corticosteroid. Your skin specialist will advise you to apply Halobetasol skin ointment only for a week to fourteen days and then stop it.

How to apply Halobetasol

Apply Halobetasol once or twice only as directed by the doctor. Do not bandage the area or apply it in areas like groin, underarms or face (since the skin in tehse areas are sensitive). If the medicine goes near the eyes, it can be problematic because there is a risk of glaucoma.

Halobetasol Side effects

: The side effects of Halobetasol include stinging sensation, itching or dryness. In most cases, side effects are not there and the doctor will diagnose your case well before administering you the medication. Also let the doctor know if you are allergic to corticosteroids like prednisone, hydrocortisone or if you have some other allergies.

Overdose of Halobetasol

In case of overdose, you should contact the emergency center quickly. American residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at -800-222-1222

Seborrheic Dermatitis Shampoo

2011-08-01T11:27:00.000-07:00

Seborrheic Dermatitis Shampoo is integral in Seborrheic eczema treatment because of the scalp itch, which is one of the symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis.

Seborrheic Dermatitis Treatment shampoo

You can treat Seborrheic Dermatitis of scalp (scalp eczema) with medicated shampoos. One of the best shampoos is Sebowash which can treat scalp eczema very well. Shampoo the hair well, scrub it well for five minutes and rinse properly. These shampoo have salicylic acid, selenium, zinc, ketoconazole, coal tar and resorcin. To apply the shampoo for scalp eczema, just divide the hair into little sections, apply shampoo to a little area and then massage it well into the skin. The skin specialist may give you a medicated lotion to apply on the face and chest if the eczema is present in that area. Read more about seborrheic dermatitis scalp treatment shampoo.

Seborrheic dermatitis Pictures, Seborrheic eczema

2011-08-01T10:54:00.000-07:00

Seborrheic Dermatitis pictures shows face and hair-loss are two of the consequences of this type of eczema. Also known as Seborrheic eczema, it is a common skin problem that manifests in the form of flaky, white to yellowish scaly, patchy formation on the scalp (scalp eczema) and inside of the ear. This kind of eczema can be with or without reddened skin.

Seborrheic Dermatitis pictures

Check out these Seborrheic eczema pictures to find out how it reacts on the skin. It manifests in the form of flaky, white to yellowish scaly, patchy formation on the scalp and inside of the ear. This kind of eczema can be with or without reddened skin.When Seborrheic Dermatitis affects scalp of infants, it is called cradle cap.

Seborrheic Dermatitis causes

Seborrheic Eczema can happen due to overproduction of the oil in the skin and due to yeast known as malessizia. Seborrheic dermatitis can be genetic. The other risk factors that can accentuate it is skin disorder like acne, oily skin, stress, extreme weather, not cleaning the skin or shampooing regularly, use of skin chemicals and alcohol,, obesity and oily skin. Stroke, Parkinson ’s disease, injury to the head and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can also increase Seborrheic dermatitis.

Seborrheic Dermatitis symptoms

Seborrheic eczema can happen in many parts of the body, but mostly it is found in places where the skin is oily. Such areas of the skin where Seborrheic Dermatitis can affect include scalp, behind the ear, eyebrows, nose creases, above or below the lips and other skin folds of the body. Babies with cradle cap can also have this problem in the form of thick, brown or yellow scales on the scalp. These scales can be in the eyelids, ear, and nose as well. Cradle cap however heals by itself, in normal cases, and can disappear by the time the baby turns 3. Skin lesions and patches are common symptoms with itching a sign of infection for Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic Dermatitis Treatment

The dermatologist will ask you to use Seborrheic Dermatitis treatment shampoo.He may also ask you to apply medicated lotion to be applied on the face and chest if the eczema is present in that area. Here is information on Seborrheic dermatitis natural remedies

Dermatitis Herpetiformis Pictures, Symptoms, Treatment

2011-07-13T14:25:00.000-07:00

Dermatitis Herpetiformis Pictures, photos below will tell you how the rash looks on the skin

These Dermatitis Herpetiformis Pictures may lead you to an important question what type of eczema is this anyway?

Dermatitis Herpetiformis is an intense itch and rash on the skin characterized by bumps and blisters. This rash is chronic in nature, this implies that it can persist over a long period of time.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis symptoms

Dermatitis herpetiformis’s major symptom is blisters and bumps on the back, elbows, knees and buttocks. There is intense itching and one can see that the rash formation is of similar shape and size on both sides of the area. Also these symptoms of dermatitis herpetiformis tend to come and go on their own, only to resurface again after some time.

Tests and diagnosis of Dermatitis Herpetiformis

A skin biopsy and skin immunofluroescence test can give the doctor the information that the patient is having this form of eczema. In some cases, the biopsy of the intestines may be needed.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis Treatment

Dapsone is a recommended antibiotic that is used as treatment for Dermatitis Herpetiformis. Also, doctors recommend that the patient should go on a gluten-free diet that can control the disease. In fact, along with the medication, if the patient sticks to this diet, there is no need to take medication agin and there will not be more complications. It is better to treat Dermatitis Herpetiformis properly, because if one is careless, the complication can be in the form of intestinal cancer. Thyroid disease is also seen as a manifestation of this disease growing without the right treatment.

Prevention of Dermatitis Herpetiformis

There is no set method to prevent this disease. But people can prevent complications by stopping food that contain gluten. Gluten foods include wheat, flour, processed food and additives. You can also look at food labels and see if foods have gluten in them.

Discoid Eczema Pictures, Treatment, Causes

2011-07-11T11:25:00.000-07:00

Look at these pictures and get an idea of Discoid Eczema treatment.

Discoid Eczema Pictures

Discoid eczema can affect the lower leg in particular and other parts of the body in general. There may be patchy appearances which can last for weeks or even months. The majority of these patches are oval or round, which gives rise o the name ‘discoid’ or ‘nummular dermatitis’ means the eczema is shaped like a coin or disc.

Causes of Discoid Eczema
Discoid eczema’s cause cannot be pinpointed. It does not run in families nor is it a result of food allergy. It has been seen that in some cases, an insect bite or a burn can trigger the eczema. In some children, atopic dermatitis can lead to this problem. Dry skin in the winter months can be cause.

Discoid Eczema Treatment
In many cases, there is no need for a medical investigation because discoid eczema or nummular eczema has a characteristic look in the form of those coin shaped patches. But a patch testing may be done to find out if there is a contact allergy that is responsible for this form of dermatitis.

Here is the course of treatment that may be needed:

1. Emollients: Moisturizing creams, bath oils can be quite effective. Apply them to areas with discoid eczema as frequently as advised by the doctor to relieve itching, dryness and scaling. Some of the products that are helpful include glycerine, sorbolene, white soft paraffin, wool fat lotions, liquid paraffin etc. Read more about emollient creams for eczema

2. Topical steroids: Topical steroids are anti-inflammatory creams or ointments that are available on prescription that may clear the discoid eczema and ease the irritation. The stronger products are applied to the patchy area once or twice daily for about 15 days. They have to be repeatedly used from time to time. The doctor may also recommend mild hydrocortisone for daily use if needed.

3. Oral antihistamine pills: Oral antihistamine pills can reduce the itching and is particularly useful at night time.
4. Antibiotics: Antibiotics given orally or topically like flucloxallin is important if the skin has a crusted appearance or is weepy. With oral antibiotics, the discoid eczema is totally cleared but may return if one does not follow the advice of the doctor and discontinues on one’s own accord.

5. Ultraviolet treatment can also help in severe cases.

6. Moisturize the skin: Discoid or Nummular Eczema can return even after taking the medicines; so it is important that you moisturize the skin and say clear of allergens like chemicals, detergents, dust etc.

The patches of discoid eczema can look like patches that appear and remain for some weeks or even n months. The patches are colored brown, red, pink and have a bumply, crusted surface or appear dry and cracked. Discoid eczema can be very itchy. After treatment, discoid eczema patches do leave without a scar but in some cases, the marks may remain.

Eczema Pictures, Photos of Eczema, Dermatitis

2011-02-08T01:56:00.000-08:00

Let us look at these eczema pictures that also give you information about the various types of eczema and various eczema conditions

Atopic eczema pictures

: Atopic eczema photos shows that the skin disorder is in the form of scaly and itchy rashes. There is weeping, blistering and peeling of the skin. This type of eczema is due to allergy or hypersensitivity reaction in the skin, leading to inflammation over a long-term basis. Atopic eczema more common in infants is known as baby eczema. . Please read more about atopic eczema treatment

Contact Eczema pictures

: When you look at contact eczema photos, you will see that they are characterized by redness, rash, pimple-like papules, blisters and papules in the skin. This type of eczema is due to direct contact with an allergy causing substance or an irritant. Read more about
contact eczema treatment.

Seborrheic Dermatitis pictures

. Seborrheic Dermatitis photos indicates that this type of eczema in the form of white or yellow flaky scales in oily areas like the scalp, inside the ear, eyebrows, eyelids, nose creases, behind the ears and along the skin folds of the body. The cause of Seborrheic Dermatitis is due to overproduction of skin oil and from a yeast known as malessizia. The reasons attributes are genetic, stress, weather fluctuations, acne, using skin lotions that have alcohol, obesity etc. Read more information on
Seborrheic eczema treatment

Nummular Eczema pictures

: Nummular eczema photos is in the form of coin-shaped skin lesions, spots or patches on the skin. The cause of Nummular eczema cannot be pin-pointed but dermatologists attribute it to allergies, atopic dermatitis and asthma. The other conditions that can make this type of eczema worse includes dry skin, stress, changes in the temperature and environmental irritants. Read information on Nummular Eczema treatment

Dyshidrotic eczema pictures

: One look at dyshidrotic eczema photos and you can be sure that this type of eczema is character by little, itchy blisters on the hands and feet. Vesicles or small fluid type blisters begin to appear on the fingers, hands, toes and feet. Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from Dyshidrotic eczema. Check out
Dyshidrotic eczema treatment

Neurodermatitis pictures

: Neurodermatitis or Lichen simplex chronicus photos are characterized by patchy, lichenified (leathery, dark) skin which has a scratch-itchy cycle. Read more about
lichenoid eczema.

Stasis Eczema pictures

: Stasis eczema photos include reddish brown discoloration on the skin, mainly on the legs. This type of eczema is characterized by oozing skin lesions and blistering. This type of eczema is also known as varicose eczema and is caused due to fluid buildup below the skin. Read more information on Stasis Eczema

Eczema photos and conditions

Infant or Baby Eczema pictures

: Infant eczema photo here shows that babies are more prone to suffer from eczema. Read more about baby eczema treatment

Eyebrow eczema pictures

: Eyebrow eczema is also a common issue that results in the thinning of hair along the eyebrows. One of the reasons for this is Seborrheic dermatitis. Read more about eyebrow eczema

Face eczema pictures

: Face eczema photo here shows that eczema on the face can be due the fact that this area of the skin is sensitive and prone to irritants like makeup, allergens, dust, pollen etc. Here is information on face eczema.

Hand eczema pictures

: Hand eczema photo here shows that this is also a common condition that results in dark pigmentation and itching along the surface of the hand, specially the area that is exposed to the sun. Read more about hand eczema treatment.

Eczema above lip picture

Eczema above lip photo shows that this type of skin irritation can be caused in this area of the body due to various irritants like cosmetics. Read about
eczema above lip

Scalp eczema pictures

: Head eczema photos show that this is one of the most common conditions of skin irritation. This is mainly caused due to increase of a type of fungus known as pityrosporum ovale. Here is information on scalp eczema .

Face Eczema Treatment through Medicines

2011-01-31T05:07:00.000-08:00

How to treat eczema on the face? Here is the medication that may be prescribed by your doctor to treat face eczema:

This is a patient specific condition for someone with lichenified eczema on the face, so you do not have to really follow the same exact course. This is just a guideline on how treatment for facial eczema is done:

1. Apply Fucibet ointment twice a day on the patchy area for 2 weeks. After this, the dermatologist may ask you to go for a milder Desonide lotion or Softcor, which is methylpredinsolone aceponate cream. The doctor may also prescribe Halobetasol Propionate Cream(Halobet) instead of Fucibet which is a stronger corticosteroid in case the eczema is severe. In all cases, the doctor will (or rather should) avoid giving you stronger steroid eczema creams or ointments because the face is a sensitive area of the body.

2. It is possible for the face to develop pigmentation or scar due to the itch. So a digpmentation cream like Depiwhite may be administered to fade out brown spots on the skin and even out complexion.

3. To ease the pigmentation totally, you may be asked to go for laser treatment Here is more information on pixel laser treatment for eczema scars

Also check out natural remedies for eczema face treatment
.

Eczema Face Treatment; Facial Eczema Treatment

2011-01-31T03:54:00.003-08:00

Eczema face treatment is very important because this is the place that you cannot hide from the rest of the world. So, if you have eczema on the face, it can be quite embarrassing from a social point of view. Also considering the face is more prone to dust; grime, sun and other allergens, there can be more risk to this area of the skin.
Though topical steroids of mild variety are given to treat eczema of the face, it is better to use home remedies because the facial skin is thinner and more sensitive.
1. Apply oatmeal and honey facial: Oatmeal is a natural cleanses that soothes the skin and decreases inflammation considerably. Honey has natural antiseptic qualities to fight bacterial accumulation on the skin. Here is how you can make an oatmeal facial:
¾ cup of oatmeal
0.33 cup of luke-warm water
1-2 tsp of honey
Mix the oatmeal, honey and water till it forms a thick paste. Apply this blend on the face in a thin manner. Make sure that the mask is on the face for 20 minutes or so before you wash off with water.

2. Do not use soap, use non-soap cleanser like Cetaphil, a proven cleanser for face eczema. Cetaphil has actually earned the Seal of Acknowledgement from National Eczema Association.

3. The best way to treat face eczema is to keep the face moisturized. Your dermatologist will give you creams that you can apply that can hydrate the skin and keep it supple and soft.

4. The face can lose its sheen and become itchy and pigmentation due to the harmful ultra-violet rays of the sun. For eczema suffers, the pigmentation can be even more and the skin may lose moisture and cause itching. So it is better to use a medicated sun-screen cream or lotion that is non-fragrant but every effective in protecting your skin against the harmful rays of the sun and aggravating the eczema.

5. For face-wash, you can also use Fash, a recommended product by dermatologists that can not only make cleanse your face of its impurities but also make it glow.

6. You can apply aloe vera because it is a natural moisturizer to treat facial eczema. In case, there

Here is more information on the medication for facial eczema

How to Use Topical Steroids

2011-01-31T00:37:00.000-08:00

Only use topical steroids on your eczema prone skin, as directed by your dermatologist. Some people continue to use topical steroids for a long-term basis, disobeying what the doctor told, just to make sure that there is no eczema flare-up in future. This is not really required, because if it is, the doctor will tell you. Some people who have severe eczema may be on continuous steroid treatment but this should also be under the doctor’s observation. You can always use emollient moisturizer liberally everyday to prevent eczema flare-ups, on a day –to-day basis, instead.

Though we talked about people, particularly eczema suffers overusing topical steroids in the first paragraph; there are also problems of people using these corticosteroids too little. There are some people who have the fear of topical steroids that are unfounded and baseless. They may apply less than what is prescribed and do not use the kind of consistency that has been asked for. Using very less many times, actually translates into using these steroids for longer periods, triggering a side-effect. Please look at fingertip units of topical steroid cream application, to know how to apply these creams and ointment on your eczema skin topically.

Topical Steroids Side Effects

2011-01-31T00:34:00.000-08:00

Do topical steroid creams have side-effects? Dermatologists say that using topical steroids (corticosteroids)for less than four weeks is safe and should not cause any problems. But if you use topical steroids for prolonged amount of time or use strong steroids very often, there may be side-effects. The side-effects from mild steroids are rare.

1. Skin thinning is a common side-effect of topical steroid. If this happens, stop the steroid by talking to the doctor and the skin thinning will reverse to normalcy.
2. Topical steroids can cause other skin disorders like perioral dermatitis, acne, acne rosacea.
3. Using topical steroid on a long-term basis can lead to stretch marks, discoloration, bruising and a condition known as ‘telangiectasia’ or slippery blood vessels.
4. Topical steroids can also enter the bloodstream through the skin, the amount is quite small and may not be problematic unless you are using potent, strong topical steroids on large areas of the skin. The main issue is with children who use strong steroids or use steroid creams frequently; it may affect their growth.
5. There are cases of some people getting sensitized or allergic to a particular ingredient, like for instance, a preservative, in a topical cream, which can worsen the skin inflammation.

Please take the time to go through the leaflet of the topical steroid to know the full, detailed list of side-effects in the one that you have been asked to take.

Emollient Moisturizer side-effects

2011-01-31T00:32:00.000-08:00

There is no side-effect of an emollient moisturizing cream per se, but certain brands of creams and lotions put fragrances and perfumes as add-ons. As a rule, eczema people should only use non-perfumed emollient moisturizer.

For people who are allergic to certain fragrances and additives, their skin inflammation can become worse. One may recall that aqueous cream, once commonly used moisturizer has been facing criticism because of its allergic reactions. It has also been seen that ointments have less problems with skin sensitivity because there are no preservatives in them compared to ointments.

If you suspect that you are sensitive to an emollient then see your doctor for advice. There are many different types of emollients with various ingredients. A switch to a different type will usually sort this uncommon problem. Note: ointments tend to cause less problems with skin sensitivity as, unlike creams, ointments usually do not contain preservatives. Adults can use at least 500 gram emollient tub per week while a child can use the same quantity for two weeks. Also do not use paraffin based emollients in the presence of lights and flames, because they are flammable.

Emollient Moisturizer Creams for Eczema

2011-01-31T00:28:00.000-08:00

Emollient or moisturizer creams prevent the skin from becoming dry. As we know, dry skin is the chief reason for eczema triggers to work and cause inflammation. You can apply emollient creams as often as you want. It can do well to keep the skin hydrated and prevent eczema flare-ups.

How do emollients work?

Emollients can be in the form of creams, ointments and lotions. The main difference between an emollient and a topical steroid for eczemais that the emollient prevents eczema flare-ups while topical corticosteroid cream can reduce skin inflammation and get rid of eczema flare-ups.

The consistency of moisturizers for eczema or even other skin treatments can depend from thin lotions to thick ointment. Actually, the difference between lotions, creams and ointments depends on the lipid or oil proportion in water. The lipid level in lowest in lotions, more in creams and of the highest percentage in ointments. The more the lipid content in emollient creams, the stickier and greasier it will feel and shinier, it will look on the skin. The greasy the emollient cream, the longer it will last but the only thing, it will be messy to apply.

The Best Emollient Moisturizer for Eczema

:
Well, there is nothing like the best emollient for eczema, because the usage depends on the dryness of the skin, the part of the skin that you’d treat and your preference for the brand. But here are some guidelines to check the emollient moisturizer cream for eczema:
1. In case, there is mild skin dryness and flare-ups do not happen regularly, it is fine to take a moisturizing cream or lotion.
2. In case, there is moderate to severe skin dryness, go for an emollient cream with thicker consistency or even an ointment. If you take creams, it will be more easy to apply but you will need to put more often, compared to an ointment.
3. If you have to apply moisturizer to hairy areas of the skin, go for lotion
4. Weepy or wet areas can be best treated with lotions or creams rather than ointments.
5. If you have eczema you should keep on applying emollients every day, even when you do not have any areas of inflamed skin. The emollients prevent the skin from drying and can help to prevent eczema flare-ups.

Is there an overdose of emollient creams?

There is no such thing as ‘overdose’ for emollient moisturizer because they do not have ‘active’ drugs that can go through the skin. The best way to apply an emollient is after you have a shower or bath. You can also apply it after swimming. The pattern of application is to smoothen them along the skin, rather than trying to rub it in.

How to apply a moisturizer?

You can try to apply a moisturizing ointment at night and use a cream during the day. Preferably, apply an ointment in dry areas while you can use a cream in the rest of the parts of the body. Though there are some emollients in the form of shower gels and bath additives, the amount of emollient that is put on the skin during a shower is not going to be as effective as directly applied creams, lotions or ointments. So, is if at all, you want to use these bath additives, shower gels as moisturizer; use them as supplementary rather than instead of emollient moisturizers that you directly apply on the skin after a shower. People usually apply moisturizers two or three times a day but you may apply more when the skin is dry; also you can apply ointment less often because the effect is as good as a cream.

Here is information on emollient moisturizer side-effects

Topical Steroids in Eczema

2011-01-31T00:23:00.000-08:00

Topical steroids used in eczema, are basically ointments, lotions and creams that contain steroids. They are used to reduce inflammation in skin conditions like eczema. Steroids are also known as corticosteroids. These topical steroids (corticosteroids) are different from anabolic steroids that are taken by body-builders and athletes for peak
performance.

Types of steroid creams

:
There are many brands and types of corticosteroids for eczema treatment. They are classified into four categories: mild, moderately potent, potent and extremely potent. A commonly used steroid cream for eczema is hydrocortisone cream 1% known as mild topical steroid. The greater the potency of the ointment, the more powerfully it can treat eczema but unfortunately, the issue of side-effect is also more. Let us look at the side-effects of topical steroid creams for eczema

Difference between ointments, creams and lotions for skin treatment

:Ointments are used to treat dry or thick areas of the skin. Creams are for the moist areas of the skin. Lotions are used for hairy areas like the scalp.

How does topical steroid work?

Topical steroid works best in case of eczema-flare up. First it gets rid of the flare-up and then the doctor will tell you to stop the steroid treatment in 7-14 days and then switch on to a mild steroid or completely stop it.

In case, your eczema is just starting, then the dermatologist will ask you to take the mildest steroid like say hydrocortisone 1% (commonly given to children). If there is no improvement in the patient after 3 to 7 days, then the dermatologist may ask you to take a stronger steroid. For severe flare-up of eczema, potent steroids are prescribed.

Usually, a milder steroid is given for face eczema and a moderately strong eczema is given for eczema on thick areas like legs, arms etc. For very thick areas of the skin, like feet soles and palms, strong topical steroids may be given.

Check out the dosage of steroid creams to apply for eczema.

Using moisturizers with steroid creams for eczema

:Emollient moisturizer is different from topical steroids. In case, the doctor tells you to apply both, apply the moisturizer first and wait for 15 minutes before applying the topical steroids. This is because the emollient has to be absorbed first before the topical steroid is applied.

How much ointment or topical cream to apply? Fingertip Units

2011-01-30T23:04:00.000-08:00

How much topical skin cream, ointment we should apply on our skin for eczema treatment?

Well, since topical creams for eczema contain steroids, we should know the amount of ointment that should be applied, which is measured in terms of ‘fingertip units’.

What do topical steroids means?

Topical steroids are creams, ointments etc that contain steroid drugs. They reduce inflammation of 5the skin and are used to treat various forms of eczema. But since they contain steroids, we need to know about the amount of dose to apply while using them.

One Fingertip Unit (FTU) equals to the quantity of topical steroids that squeezes out of a standard tube along with the fingertip of an adult, assuming the tube has the regular 5mm nozzle. A finger tip, is the distance from the top end of the finger to the first crease. One FTU is adequate to take care of an area of skin two times the extent of the flat of an adult's hand with the fingers together.

1 gram topical steroid is equal to two fingertip units. For instance, if you treat a skin area which is the size of 4 adult hands, then 2 FTU is enough for each dose. If the dose is once a day, then a 30 gram tube is enough for 15 day treatment course.

Here is the guide for topical steroid application for adults

Here is the guide for topical applications of skin ointment in children
For a 3-6 month old child
• Entire face and neck - 1 FTU
• An entire arm and hand - 1 FTU
• An entire leg and foot - 1.5 FTUs
• The entire front of chest and abdomen - 1 FTU
• The entire back including buttocks - 1.5 FTUs
For a 1-2 year old child
• Entire face and neck - 1.5 FTUs
• An entire arm and hand - 1.5 FTUs
• An entire leg and foot - 2 FTUs
• The entire front of chest and abdomen - 2 FTUs
• The entire back including buttocks - 3 FTUs
For a 3-5 year old child
• Entire face and neck - 1.5 FTUs
• An entire arm and hand - 2 FTUs
• An entire leg and foot - 3 FTUs
• The entire front of chest and abdomen - 3 FTUs
• The entire back including buttocks - 3.5 FTUs
For a 6-10 year old child
• Entire face and neck - 2 FTUs
• An entire arm and hand - 2.5 FTUs
• An entire leg and foot - 4.5 FTUs
• The entire front of chest and abdomen - 3.5 FTUs
• The entire back including buttocks - 5 FTUs

Read more about baby eczema

Eczema and Acne: The Difference

2011-01-30T22:46:00.000-08:00

How do I know if I have eczema and not acne? Here is the difference

Eczema is a case that is seen in 17 percent of the people in the world. The eruption of eczema is seen in people who have dry skin or dry areas of the skin. It is more prevalent during the winter when the skin becomes dry

The main indication to find out if it is eczema and not acne, is to find out if the skin is dry and patchy. This dry skin is accompanied by itching and scratching. The rashes develop and the skin is inflamed.

Due to inflammation, the skin becomes red or black, depending on the complexion of the person. The skin may become lichenified and if not treated well, can become pigmented with scars. In active eczema, one can also find blisters with skin lesions oozing. Here is information on
eczema causes and treatment

Acne causes and treatment

Let us understand what causes acne: hormonal imbalance from adrenal glands, testes and ovaries secrete skin oil called sebum. When this flow of sebum is blocked due to dust and keratones, the skin becomes blocked and plugged, which leads to infestation of bacteria, causing inflammation and infection. The term ‘acne bump’ is nothing but the inflammation that happens when the blocked pores burst.

For treating, acne, the local treatment that is administered includes anti bacterial medicine involving chlorhexidine and mild soap and water. Other proprietary preparations like retinoic acid and benzoyl peroxide are also the other essential ingredients that are used for acne treatment. Prescription medication like Accutane can also be administered by the doctor but only on his advise because it can cause serious side effects. Ultra-violent B rays can also be used in good measure for short-term treatment for acne.

Acne’s system treatment includes antibiotics like as Oxytetracyclin, Erythromycins, Doxycyclin (250 mg prescribed 4 times a day) while Minocyclin is to be taken at a lower dosage of 50 mg a day. These medications should be taken for 3 months to get the best results; in some cases, patients need to take doses for longer period of time.

The latest very effect medication to treat severe acne includes Isotretinoin. It is also to be taken over a long period of time and controls sebum secretion effectively. However, there have been cases, where sebum secretion has come back to previous levels when the medication is discontinued. The side effects for Isotretinoin can include dryness of skin, headache and nausea. Also Isotretinoin, being teratogenic(interfering with normal embryonic development), can cause deformation of the embryo in pregnant women. So it is important to test ’negative’ for pregnancy, before, during and after the three months of taking this medication.

For severe acne cases, there may be a need for surgical intervention where the sebum in the cysts and draining pus has to be taken care of, under local anesthesia. Severe cases of acne can be surgically operated and cured by draining pus and sebum waste in the cysts. This procedure is usually done under local anesthesia. Acne Rosacia is a form of acne that happens due to skin dilation You will need to confer with your doctor to take some of the antibiotics and not cause problems to the affected part of the skin.

Eczema is a skin irritation that is common and is seen mostly in cases of dry skin. External eczema or exogenous eczema is caused due to allergens like solvents, soaps, detergents, dust, oils etc. To prevent eczema, stay away from these external irritants, eat healthy diet and keep your skin well hydrated. Low level steroids and topical ointments are given by the doctor for milder eczema forms In moderate eczema cases, steroids like hydrocortisone is given while in serious cases, oral steroids are given.Here is how to treat eczema permanently with home remedies

Lip Eczema, Itching on Lips

2011-01-28T12:10:00.000-08:00

As we know one of the biggest reasons for eczema is dryness of the skin particularly in the liip area. As one grows old, the skin becomes more and more dry. But apart from this factor, environmental conditions can also cause the skin to dry. This particularly is seen in winter when the humidity is low. Using heaters, blowers and taking hot baths for a prolonged period of timecan cause moisture to disappear from the lips. Apart from this, the other causes of lip eczema is licking your lips as a habit, allergies to certain cosmetics like lipsticks and skincare products, exposure to sun, smoke and reaction to acne medicines.

How to treat eczema on lips

1. Stay away from things, lips, creams and other allergens that cause eczema on the lips or above the lips. This is the first thing that you should know to prevent lip eczema. Also stay away from items that contain sodium laurel sulfate, handwash and certain brands of cosmetics. Let us look at some of the home remedies that can treat eczema above the lip

1. Apply petroleum jelly or other lip moisturizing agent to your lips, 3 to 4 times a day. This will make the lips moisturized as well as protect it from infection and more damage.
2. Use a cream that contains hydrocortisone to the lips, this can reduce itching, inflammation and redness
3. Essential oils like chamomile and lavender can be greatly useful for lip eczema treatment.
4. Shea butter is a very good moisturizing agent, which can treat eczema on lips Use it in the form of a lip balm to reduce dryness of the lips.
5. Oatmeal bath is one of the best cures for eczema as well as eczema above the lip. To make an oatmeal bath, just take 2 or 3 cups of powdered oats in a tub of waer. Soak yourself in the oatmeal water for 10 minutes
6. You can also use antihistamine medication that can treat eczema above the lip including scratching and inflammation. You may also take antibiotics if your eczema with open blisters is exposed to bacterial infection.

The above ways to cure eczema on the lips are highly effective and should work for you Just try them for a week to 10 days. In case, they fail, you can check with a dermatologist to treat eczema on the lip or above the lip.

Difference between Eczema and Psoriasis

2011-01-25T07:53:00.000-08:00

What is the difference between eczema and psoriasis? To understand this better, one should know that both are skin conditions that lead to rashes and such types of similar symptoms. But the method of treatment and management for eczema and psoriasis is different.

Eczema and Psoriasis symptoms:
Eczema is characterized by brown or red rash, with extreme cases looking like blisters or bumps with a crusty feel. Compared to eczema, Psoriasis is in the form of a red rash, but this rash has a silvery shine and scaling.
Another thing to note is that though eczema and Psoriasis can appear in any part of the body, eczema ‘s biggest symptom is itchy and dry skin. Psoriasis symptoms on the other end manifests in the form of swollen and painful joints, as well as itching.

Causes for eczema and Psoriasis
Eczema is caused usually due to an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity. Those who are prone to allergy and asthma can suffer from eczema. Psoriasis, on the other hand, is an immune condition where the body gets confused and attacks healthy skin under the illusion that it is fighing infection.

Treatment for eczema and Psoriasis
Both eczema and Psoriasis warrants anti-itch treatment and anti-inflammation medication as well as use of moisturizers. While eczema patients are treated with antihistamines to treat allergic reaction, Psoriasis suffers have to take drugs that suppress the immune system and delay skin cell regeneration.
In children, eczema can go with age, but adults can have recurrent flare-ups due to contact with allergens. Psoriasis cannot be cured but can be managed well with care and diagnosis.

Eyebrow Eczema; Losing Eyebrow Hair Due to Eczema?

2011-01-25T07:51:00.001-08:00

One of the manifestations of eczema is losing eyebrow hair. This is because eczema tends to be concentrated on hair prone areas and eyebrows tend to be a vulnerable target . Eyebrow eczema xcan be treated by applying moisturizer in these areas. Ask your dermatologist and she may suggest something like Elizabeth Ardens 8hr cream. You have to apply eyebrow eczema treatment creams uring the night time and wash it off well I the morning so that your eyebrows do not look greasy.

Make sure that you use a facial scrub to exfoliate the eyebrows, preferably the one that can be used on a day to day basis. The intention is to get rid of dead skin cells which concentrate on the eyebrow area. Applying coconut oil in these parts also help. Moisturizing and exfoliating is the key to make sure that you get rid of the issue of losing hair due to eczema.

You can also use almond oil, take 10 ml and add a couple of drops of lavender oil and massage it in the eyebrow areas for a few times in the night as an effective home remedy to treat eczema’ s losing eyebrow hair problem, totally.