Skin Care World

Eczema is an increasingly common condition, which affects one in five children and one in twelve adults in the UK. Over the past 30 years, the number of people suffering from eczema has increased 2-3 fold.

So what causes eczema?

Our skin needs its own natural oils to keep it supple and moist, and help prevent infection. Although the exact causes are unknown, when someone has eczema these natural oils are lacking within the skin. This results in the skin becoming dry, cracked, sore and very itchy. The problem is exacerbated by the use of soap, shampoo and exposure to detergents. Sufferers can also be susceptible to allergies, such as pet hair, dust, pollen and certain foods. Temperature extremes may also make the condition worse, as can certain clothing, such as woolly jumpers and non-cotton garments. Eczema can occur anywhere on the body, although it commonly affects the creases of the body, such as the back of knees and insides of elbows.

Doing the damage

Young children in particular can find it difficult to resist the urge to scratch. The natural reaction is to scratch the skin to relieve the itch, but this can become a vicious cycle, worsening the condition and, in some cases, leading to infection. Scratching eczema leads to skin damage, increases inflammation and can cause bleeding, secondary skin infection and thickening of the skin. The more a person scratches, the more the skin itches. Managing eczema is about trying to avoid things that are triggers and cause problems, and establishing routines, such as complete emollient therapy and wet or dry wrapping, that will help control it.