Can eczema be prevented?

If not, what are the ways to prevent the symptoms?



Eczema, as we know it, is a general term for the many types of skin inflammation that is also known as dermatitis. The most common form of eczema, atopic dermatitis, is sometimes called atopic eczema.



With its long history, doctors have not yet found a specific cure for the disease. What is available now are various therapies designed to put the illness under control and manage the debilitating symptoms (itchiness, skin rashes, lesions, painful open sores) it inflicts on its victims.



Genetics and some



From their findings, doctors also believe eczema is a genetic defect that results in the abnormality of the barrier function of the skin. In atopic dermatitis, the term “atopic” is generally used to refer to diseases with tendencies to trigger allergic conditions (asthma, hay fever).



From experience, eczema tends to affect infants and young children. Some people would also carry with them the disease whose symptoms would keep recurring in their lives as adults.



Flare-up triggers



There are many things that can trigger a flare-up of the symptoms of the disease. These include environmental irritants, allergens from all over, and substances that are used in the manufacture of soaps and perfumes and others we handle.



Some triggering factors can be as flimsy as a sudden change of temperature, sweating, food allergies, and lifestyle stress in general.



Preventive measures



While there is no cure for eczema, there are many ways to sidestep and avoid the triggering factors. Sometimes, the methods are also to dampen the severity of these symptoms. Prevention is more on deterring the symptoms of the disease.



Removing the cause of the allergic reaction (or the trigger of this reaction) is the easiest and most effective preventive measure. They can be as simple as changing your laundry detergent.



Sometimes it can be as difficult as changing jobs (there is a type of the disease termed occupational eczema) or moving to a new place to find the right climate for your body.



Some preventive methods



Avoid having dry skin by taking warm (not hot) showers (not baths). Use mild soaps and body cleansers. After careful drying, apply moisturizing skin lotions all over, avoiding those with fragrances or other irritating ingredients.



Refrain from wearing tight-fitting, rough, or scratchy clothing. For most people, cotton is less irritating than synthetic fibers or wool.



Heavy activities



Avoid overly strenuous activities that can make you hot and sweaty or places with abrupt changes in temperatures and humidity. Sweating irritates the rash if you have flare-ups.



If you don’t have symptoms, practice good skin hygiene. Wear protective gloves for activities that require submersion of your hands in water for long periods.



Scratching



Avoid scratching the rash, or cover the area with a dressing. If the allergen (those that cause allergic reactions) cannot be removed (or worse, identified), try to minimize the allergic inflammatory response.



Apply some non-prescription steroid creams together with anti-itching lotions. Apply the cream as often as possible until the rash disappears. You can also use cold compresses to dampen the itch.



Eczema as a disease may not be preventable, but what can be prevented are the debilitating symptoms that attack its victims. It pays to know them all.



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