A Few Facts That May Explain What Eczema is
Eczema is a disorder of the skin that is affecting, it is believed, as many as ten to twenty percent of all of the population of the world. When it occurs, it causes the skin to turn red and become itchy and it also causes the skin to become flaky.
The reason why it occurs is because the skin becomes inflamed due to irritants present in the environment or because of other physical conditions. In fact, eczema can strike each and every one of us, though those with a prior family history of it will be more likely to suffer from this disease than others.
No Cure
At present, the cure for eczema eludes mankind though the condition can be treated so that immediate relief is forthcoming. The main function of the skin of course is to prevent infections and disease from affecting us. Although, when such capabilities become compromised due to oversensitive irritants (external) or triggers as they are also referred to as, then a reaction that then turns into eczema results.
Eczema is also known to affect infants as well as children and of course adults too can be affected by this kind of skin condition. However, in the case of infants, the disease is noticed on their cheeks, forehead as well as forearms, neck, scalp and even on the legs. In other cases, there will be patches that will turn red in color and which will itch a lot as well and these patches are known to develop on the neck, face, inside of one's elbows, ankles as well as on the knees.
There are also different forms of eczema and how it actually develops depends to a great deal on the form as well as nature of the irritant. One of the commonest forms of eczema is known as atopic dermatitis which will cause the patient to also risk developing food allergies and asthma as well as come down with hay fever.
Another type of such skin condition is the one known as occupational eczema in which allergic reactions may occur due to the nature of the environment at a person's workplace. Yet another form of this disease is known as nummular eczema in which you will notice splotched skin which condition can be further exacerbated if one continues to wear tight fitting clothes that will only help in irritating the skin further.
Though no cures for eczema have been found, it can nevertheless still be treated by changing one's lifestyle. In addition, by also keeping the skin continuously moist, you can avert an attack of this disease.