Skin allergies can affect anyone!

Are you experiencing it? Then here is the guide to eczema skin allergy and autoimmune skin diseases in Bangalore by skin expert Dr. Rajdeep Mysore at Charma Clinic.

What is eczema and atopic dermatitis?

Eczema is a persistent skin condition that manifests as dry, red, itchy, and sometimes infected skin. It is a general medical term referring to rash-like skin conditions. It can affect people of any age, but mostly the babies. Those who have eczema like atopic dermatitis experience a period of worsening of eczema followed by a period of skin healing or clearing up of eczema. The remission periods are times when no symptoms of eczema are noticed. These times can last for a few weeks, months, and even years. When eczema exacerbates, it’s called an eczema flare. Eczema flare is an outcome of a range of skin irritants or triggers. Eczema can show up in different forms. Each type has its own set of triggers and symptoms.

Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, which is why many people refer eczema to as atopic dermatitis. The term “Atopic” means a form of allergy in which hypersensitivity reactions like eczema, hay fever, and asthma occurs. “Dermatitis” is a general term for red, inflamed, and itchy skin. Atopic dermatitis is the result of an allergic reaction that usually starts at the time of infancy and continues into childhood. Flare-ups of atomic dermatitis in adults tend to get milder or resolve.

As the condition can affect one’s overall health it is important to take help of a dermatologist. At Charma Clinic, eczema treatment clinic in Bangalore, Dr. Rajdeep Mysore has helped many patients suffering from eczema to lead a healthy life with best eczema treatments.

What causes atopic dermatitis and other eczemas?

The definite cause of atopic dermatitis and eczema remains still under research. However, the possible triggers of different types of eczema are:

1. Atopic Dermatitis- It happens when the natural skin barrier gets weak and is not able to protect the skin much from allergens and irritants. Its causative factors include environmental triggers, dry skin, genetic predisposition, and a weakened immune system.

2. Contact Dermatitis- It is an immune response to contact skin with an irritant or allergen. Most commonly, it is caused due to exposure of skin to latex, detergents, bleach, jewellery, nickel, paint, solvents, tobacco smoke, skincare products including makeup, poisonous ivy or other toxic plants, and soaps and perfumes.

3. Dyshidrotic Eczema- It can be caused by stress, allergies, damp hands and feet, smoking tobacco products, and nickel, chromium salt, or cobalt exposure. It is mostly seen in women.

4. Neurodermatitis- Usually, it is seen in people who have other types of eczema or psoriasis. Its cause is still not known to doctors. But, stress is found to trigger its appearance.

5. Seborrheic Dermatitis- It can be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Triggers like stress or some illness can spark off the skin’s inflammatory reaction that can boost sebum (natural oil) production by sebaceous glands. Malasezzia yeast thrives on excessively oily skin.

6. The overgrowth of this yeast can cause immune system reactions that further cause skin changes and the development of seborrheic dermatitis. Other triggers are cold, dry weather; hormonal changes, illnesses, use of harsh chemicals or detergents, medications containing lithium and in-ter-fe-ron, and certain medical conditions like HIV, acne, psoriasis, and Parkinson’s disease.

7. Stasis Dermatitis- It is caused by the leakage of fluids from weakened veins into the skin. It is seen in people suffering from valve malfunction causing blood flow problems in their lower legs.

8. Nummular Eczema- It is triggered by an allergic reaction to chemicals or metals, dry skin, or a reaction to an insect bite.

9. Hand Eczema- It is the type that affects only the hands of an individual who is working as a hairdresser or has a regular job where hands are needed for cleaning. This eczema is the result of regular use of skin-irritating chemicals.

Symptoms of atopic dermatitis and other eczemas

Atopic dermatitis- The skin rashes often appear in the creases of knees and elbows. The skin of those areas may get thicker or turn lighter or darker. Sometimes, small bumps appear and upon scratching their fluids may leak out or the skin may get infected. Infants usually develop rashes on their cheeks and scalp.
Contact dermatitis- The skin becomes red, pink, or magenta; itches, burns, and stings. On the skin hives or itchy bumps appear. In some cases, fluid-filled blisters form on the skin that may crust over or ooze. The skin over time may get thick and feel scaly or leathery.
Dyshidrotic Eczema- It is characterised as fluid-filled blisters on the skin of the palm of hands, fingers, toes, and soles of the feet. These blisters may be itchy or painful. The affected skin can flake, scale, and crack.
Neurodermatitis- It develops as thick, scaly patches on the skin of the arms, legs, backside of the neck, bottom of the feet, scalp, genitals, and back of the hands. These patches can be very itchy during night-time and may bleed or get infected, upon scratching.
Seborrheic Dermatitis- It is characterised by yellow scales and flaky white patches of skin on oily skin parts such as the scalp, mid-chest, upper back, under-breasts, hairline, armpits, and near the groins. Most commonly, it affects the scalp and face. The patches may be lighter in white-skinned people and darker in dark-skinned people.
Stasis Dermatitis- The skin of the lower legs swells, gets itchy, and hurts. In light skin tone people, the skin turns red while in darker skin tones, the skin turns purple, brown, grey, or ashen colour. Varicose veins also occur and the skin overlying them gets dry and itchy. Open sores may also develop on the skin of the lower legs or the top of the feet.
Nummular Eczema- It is the round, coin-shaped spots on the skin that may become scaly or itch.
Hand Eczema- The affected hands get red or hyperpigmented, dry, and itchy. The skin may form blisters or cracks.

FAQs About Atopic Dermatitis & Other Eczemas

How does eczema affect people of different age groups?

In infants or babies who are less than 2 years old, eczema can start happening in the first 5 months of their life. Infantile eczema can dramatically improve as the babies step into childhood. In children aged between 2 to 5 years old, eczema may either start or be a result of progression of infantile eczema. Childhood eczema is characterised by rashes and dryness behind the knees, in the elbow creases, and across the ankles. It may even appear on the face, neck, and ears. Adult eczema is similar to childhood eczema. It can show up as hard, rough, and thickened skin, and may even have weeping areas. It is unusual to see it in people who have crossed their mid-age or are elderly.

How can eczema be managed?

Eczema is manageable in the following ways:

Protect and maintain eczema-prone or affected skin every day with moisturisers
Avoid known skin irritants and triggers of eczema- such as dry skin, scratching, use of perfumes/soaps/chemicals, inhaling pollen allergens, playing in the sand, stress, contact with wool and synthetic fabrics, animals, dust mite, and others; constant exposure to chemicals and water, temperature changes, and viral/bacterial infections
Treat eczema flares and severe atopic dermatitis with topical/systemic corticosteroids or calcin-eurin inhibitors
Control the scratch and itch cycle of eczema by keeping skin well moisturised, using cold compresses or wet dressings, and using non-sedating antihist-amines
Prevent and treat bacterial and viral infections due to eczema such as Staph and cold sores with antibiotics and antivirals.

Can atopic dermatitis and other eczemas be avoided or prevented?

You cannot avoid atopic dermatitis or other eczema if you cannot know the cause of it. But, you can learn to avoid possible triggers of it and manage them.

Do visit Dr. Rajdeep Mysore to learn more on atopic dermatitis or skin allergy treatment in Bangalore.

The cost of eczema treatment in Bangalore is based on a complete evaluation by the doctor . Visit the clinic to learn more!