What Is Skin Eczema?

The term skin eczema is used interchangeably with dermatitis, to represent a rather large number of different medical conditions. The skin is the largest organ in any human body, so it is most vulnerable to systemic conditions and to environmental effects at the same time. Some types of eczema occur because natural immunity reacts strongly to intrusion by an antigen with allergic potential. However, eczema may also result because pathogenic colonies have been established on or inside the body. Finally, this distressful condition may be a physical expression of mental stress or anxiety.

All types of skin eczema, regardless of cause and type, result in red and inflamed skin. Resulting itching provokes victims to scratch the affected area, adding to the damage to the skin. Hands can transfer pathogens which lie inside eruptions and on the skin surface, from one part of the body to another. Eczema is therefore a condition which largely feeds on itself, with distressed actions adding to discomfort.

Skin Eczema Is Not Contagious

Anyone may suffer from a sudden bout of skin eczema because of an allergic reaction. The condition is not directly infectious, but there is no telling when an immune system may react excessively to an unknown threat. Healthy people, who exercise regularly, eat balanced meals, and who are relatively free of worries, should not normally suffer from bouts of eczema, but a reaction is possible in new circumstances. Immune reactions are most personal: some people may not react at all to environmental antigens, whereas others break out with agonizing rashes when exposed to the same conditions. Adult victims can generally tell on reflection, as to which new location or dietary ingredient may have caused sudden eczema. Unfortunately, children less than 10 years old may suffer due to no apparent reason, because their immune systems are not fully developed during this age.

Skin eczema is not a serious medical condition. It does not threaten life, though the condition of pediatric cases can be superficially disturbing for parents and other care givers. Doctors have a number of drugs and formulations available at their disposal to deal with the condition. There are a number of lotions and creams which can be bought without prescriptions, though one should not persist with self-medication if eczema persists or recurs. Alternative and Complementary Medicine, as well as special light therapy add to the arsenal available to fight eczema. Some doctors prefer a combination of more than one approach, so that patients get immediate relief even before lasting solutions can take effect.