Eczema And An Allergy: Miserable Together
Although allergy sufferers won't always have eczema to look forward to when they get an allergy attack, there is a large correlation between eczema and allergies. It is not known exactly what causes eczema, but allergies to food, certain chemicals and pollen definitely seem to predispose a person to having both eczema and an allergy.
Symptoms
Eczema is a maddening skin condition where you feel so itchy that you can easily scratch yourself open in trying to get relief. The itchy patches are red or brick pink with flakey, peeling skin (sometimes even a little wet from all the scratching). The thickness of the flakes vary from transparent scales to scabby chunks of bright white. Eczema, like an allergy, tends to come and go.
Eczema related to allergies tends to come and go, but it usually starts in childhood. Adults from 30 -60 can get eczema (especially women), but it is thought the causes of the eczema aren't necessarily allergies, but hormones or contact with irritating chemicals of some kind (as opposed to pollen or certain foods).
You Need To Go To The Doctor
Although eczema isn't a life-threatening condition, it does make you really miserable fast. If you scratch yourself open repeatedly, you do raise your chance of contracting an infection. Eczema is bad - but an infection would be worse. In order to help treat the eczema, you must get your allergies treated, which requires a trip to the doctor.
Also, if you are using over the counter anti-itch creams, lotions or salves and they are not giving you much relief, you need to see your doctor to get prescription itch relief. It is thought that eczema might be a sign of a problem with the immune system, so you may need prescription drugs to help boost your natural immunity.
Other Things You Can Do
If the creams and calamine lotion isn't working, there are some things you can do to get itch relief. One is to put a cold or cool compress on the itchy area. This works for some people, but not others. At least it's cheap to try and doesn't give you any nasty side effects.
Some people like to keep busy with dancing, housework or freelance writing when they itch, because keeping their hands and minds busy distracts them from the itching. If you scratch in your sleep, keep your fingernails short and wear cotton gloves to try and keep from ripping your skin open.
