Eczema is a common skin condition that occurs in both kids and adults. Typically, it is a chronic condition that causes occasional flare-ups. The skin becomes itchy, red, and rough. The itchiness can appear in any part of the body, but it generally appears on the hands, legs, feet, upper chest, neck, and the elbow and knee bends.

Disease overview
For those suffering from eczema, the main concern is the itch that comes with it. Leaving this symptom untreated can lead to inflammation of the skin. The red itchy skin can become bumpy as well; so, the goal of eczema treatment is to take care of the itch. As far as the affected age group is concerned, eczema can affect one-year-old babies too. Most children affected by it will see a dramatic improvement in their condition as they reach adolescence. But in some cases, this may stretch to adulthood too.

Eczema is not contagious; so, even if you have an active rash, it won’t pass it on to anyone. But the active rash may cause an open wound or cracks, which may leave you vulnerable to other infections. You will find that the rash begins on the face and moves to other areas of the body. If it is an older child, they will most likely see rashes on their neck, wrists, ankle, feet, and the creases of the elbow and knees. In cases of eczema in adults, the rashes will commonly appear on their hands and legs.

There are many types of eczema, some common examples are

• Atopic dermatitis
• Dyshidrotic eczema
• Nummular eczema
• Contact dermatitis
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Stasis dermatitis

Symptoms
The most important thing to remember with eczema is that the symptoms are unique to everyone. In some cases, the disease may surface as itches and small bumps, while others may find that the skin has turned scaly from excessive itching. Further, the itch may appear in different parts of the body every time. The most common way to identify eczema is the “itch-scratch cycle,” which most sufferers can associate closely with. However, eczema is mostly associated with severe itches, so watch out for these signs:

• Itches are probably the first warning flag. An itch here and there is quite common. But if the itch is constant, and you can see the red skin turning into a small bumpy patch, it may be time to get it evaluated. Furthermore, these itches tend to worsen during the night time.
• Dry and sensitive skin is a precursor to this condition. Generally, such type of skin requires a little extra care. If your skin is not well-moisturized, the constant dry feeling can turn into an itch. If you do not care for it adequately, it can worsen the condition.
• A strong indicator of eczema is the change in skin texture. For instance, rough, leathery, and scaly skin is indicative of the same. Leaving the itch untreated can result in rough and callused-looking skin.
• Swelling, oozy, and crusty skin is also indicative of this condition. Experiencing some or all the above symptoms depends on the condition’s severity. Sometimes, these symptoms may vanish quickly, and at other times, they may even worsen. A physician must evaluate the problem and provide the right diagnosis. Knowing whether you have eczema will help you to stay on guard and prevent flare-ups.

Causes
Pinning down the causes of eczema is quite difficult. The biggest reason for this is that the triggers are different for everyone. While you may trigger a flare-up due to excessively dry skin conditions; certain kinds of foods or chemicals can also do the same. Eczema tends to be genetic too, which means if you have it, it probably runs in the family. So, what are the causes you should know about?

• Allergens
  An allergic reaction is one of the most common causes of a flare-up. Allergies can cause several symptoms, such as watery eyes, sneezing, and runny or stuffed nose. While this may trigger an asthma attack for those with underlying conditions, a flare-up of eczema is equally possible. Pet hair, spices, certain kinds of food, and pollen are just some of the examples of such allergens.
• Irritants
  Several elements can irritate the skin, depending on the type of your skin. Whether you have normal or sensitive skin, certain skin irritants can trigger a flare-up. For instance, certain chemicals can cause more than simple skin irritation. Cleaning agents, soaps, perfumes, and skincare products contain fragrances and small amounts of chemicals. The clothes you wear can also cause a flare-up. Sometimes, accessories such as bangles, bracelets, and necklaces can react with sweat to trigger a rash.
• Temperature
  The temperature around us has a huge role to play in triggering the symptoms of eczema. For instance, low humidity makes the skin dry and itchy. You should be able to manage it if you keep your skin moisturized well. However, if you have eczema, the itch may get tougher to manage. Similarly, highly humid conditions can make you sweaty. The sweating may make your itching worse.
• Unhealthy and compromised environment
  Imagine the skin to be a barrier against everything bad the environment throws at you. When it is healthy, it retains moisture and protects the body against pollution, allergens, and other challenges. But several factors can prevent the skin from doing its job. When this happens, the skin begins to lose its shine, leading to infection and inflammation.
• Stress
  Stress is a trigger for eczema. While stress may not cause eczema, it will prompt the symptoms of eczema to surface. When your body is under severe stress, it releases a hormone called cortisol. When present in large doses in the body, it can trigger inflammation throughout the body and a flare-up of eczema.
• Hormones
  A hormonal imbalance can trigger an eczema flare-up too. For example, pregnant women are known to witness a flare-up or two. The understanding is that those who have a history of eczema tend to see a flare-up. Hormonal fluctuations are quite common during pregnancy, and this can make your skin dry and itchy. You can manage this easily by keeping yourself hydrated and moisturized.

Your physician can help you understand the triggers better so that you can take preventive measures.

Treatment options
Treatment for eczema largely depends on the age of the person and the severity of the condition. As mentioned earlier, there is no cure for eczema. Doctors usually prescribe emollients, oils, or topical creams that help control the itch. So, one of the best ways to tackle the problem is to understand the triggers. Once you know the trigger, you can modify your lifestyle to avoid the same.

• Treatment options for children
  One of the most important ways to prevent flare-ups is to prevent moisture from leaving the body. So, it is important to use cleansers and moisturizers instead of hard soaps.
  • Topical medications
    The doctor may prescribe mild topical medications in combination with cleansers and other moisturizers that can be purchased over the counter. The most common topical medications prescribed for this condition are corticosteroids. They provide your skin with a brief breather from the inflammation and redness, to allow healing. A thin smear of the same must be applied soon after a bath.
  • Bleach baths
    A bleach bath is meant to help reduce the intensity of the eczema symptoms in a child. The bleach in the bathwater must replicate the chlorine in a swimming pool. Use the right amount of bleach in the water. Too much can make the skin dry, while too little of the same will be ineffective as a treatment.
  • Immunosuppressants
    In many moderate or severe cases, the physician may recommend an immunosuppressant. This medicine works to suppress the immune system from releasing cortisol, thereby controlling the flare-up.
  • Phototherapy
    In this case, a narrow band ultraviolet B (UVB) light is used to treat the condition. The light helps to boost the immune system, so it can fight bacteria in the body. Further, it calms the inflammation and increases Vitamin-D production.
• Treatment of eczema in adults
  The line of treatment is the same as what is suggested for children. However, the only difference is the strength of the medication and the dosage. Possible medications include antihistamines and antibiotics. Apart from this, the doctors may prescribe barrier-repair moisturizers and steroidal shots, liquid, or pills.

Natural remedies
Nature has blessed us with a wide range of options to treat skin problems. Here are some of the best natural treatment options for eczema:

• Aloe vera
  The gel from the aloe vera leaf is known to have wound-healing properties. It can boost your immune system and help soothe angry and inflamed skin. The antibacterial and microbial properties can be used to the maximum during a flare-up.
• Diluted apple cider vinegar
  Apple cider vinegar and our skin are both acidic. Soaps and other hard cleaners are alkaline. So, when you use soaps, it disrupts the natural balance of the skin. And apple cider vinegar can fix this. Studies show that it can fight bacteria, including E. Coli and staphylococcus aureus. However, those with eczema may find that their skin is less acidic. Therefore, you must dilute the apple cider vinegar before you use it.
• Oatmeal
  Oats have skin-healing properties. And colloidal oatmeal is manufactured by extracting the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of oats. This can take care of scaling, dryness, and the itch. This can be used in the form of creams and lotions available over-the-counter. On the other hand, you can add powdered oatmeal to a bath and soak in the same.

Foods to have
The most important thing to note is that irrespective of your skin condition, avoiding processed and refined foods is a great way to become strong. While there is no “one size fits all” approach, it is important to understand any triggers in your food before you change your diet. Overall, a healthy combination of natural foods is bound to be helpful. Let’s look at the foods that can help fight eczema:

• Foods rich in vitamin D
  Fortified whole-grain cereals, halibut, salmon, mushrooms, sardines, milk, yogurt, and egg yolks are some of the foods that are rich in vitamin D. Also known as the sunshine vitamin, its main function is to absorb calcium and phosphorous. This contributes to a healthy immune system.
• Foods with omega-3 fatty acids
  Nuts are a great source of omega 3. Further, fatty fish like tuna, salmon, and sardines provide just what you need to maintain a strong immune system. Also, these fatty acids play a key role in keeping your skin healthy.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
  Natural and fresh fruits and vegetables not only keep you healthy but also provide you with a ton of vitamins and minerals, needed to maintain the health of your skin.
• Probiotics
  Probiotics such as yogurt, fermented products, and kefir can help you maintain the health of your gut. It is a well-known fact that the health of your gut has a strong connection with the immune system of your body.
• Whole grains
  Have foods with whole grains instead of refined flours. This will help in providing your body with the right nutrients and ample dietary fiber. Sometimes, certain foods trigger flare-ups, and if you have a gluten allergy, it is best to stick with whole grains.

All in all, to manage eczema, you need to be aware of the triggers and symptoms. This way, you can seek medical help at the earliest and control your condition. Monitor sleep and stress as well, to ensure that you do not experience frequent flare-ups. Eat healthily, exercise enough, and try out natural remedies to manage the signs.