Eczema is a skin condition where the person’s skin becomes noticeably inflamed and reddened. Patients afflicted with eczema will feel a painful itch on the inflamed and reddened skin. Sometimes the itch comes first and the dry, red skin will appear as a result. Whichever comes first, the patient will often feel very uncomfortable in the affected area and since eczema can occur on the face, neck, or hands, the patient may become embarrassed by their appearance.
Eczema is a considered an auto-immune reaction. The immune system in a patient may be reactivating negatively to some irritant and will attack the tissue around the skin as a form of defense. Many patients whom have eczema tend to have a family history of strong allergies or breathing issues like asthma. Because of this, many different allergic variables can cause an eczema attack. Some patients who experience stress can also have a reaction with eczema.
About 3 percent of the adult population is affected with eczema. Some infants and small children may have an unorthodox high chance of having eczema due to their young age and weaker immune system. A whopping 20 percent of infants are found to have eczema. However, as the children grow older and their immune systems strengthen, the less eczema reactions that will occur in these children. However, people who experience eczema well into adulthood most likely have a genetic disposition to have eczema.
The very nature of eczema means it is not contagious. Although families may have an increased chance of having members display eczema, its from each individual person’s specific allergy to an irritant, whether its a surface, chemical, or environment. This is a good thing since many people may be hesitant to be around a person displaying such inflamed and red rashes on their skin.
To properly be diagnosed as having eczema, a dermatologist must conduct an allergy test to see if the person’s skin reacts a certain way. How the skin reacts to common allergic chemicals will most likely mean the patient has eczema.
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