Eczema is an inflammation of the skin, caused by an allergic reaction to a substance found in the environment that you may be exposed to. The most common allergens are pollens, dust mites, cigarette smoke, molds, and allergenic foods like peanuts and shellfish. Allergic dermatitis is the inflammation of the skin due to contact with these things.
The symptoms of eczema are varied and can also range from very mild to extremely severe. The symptoms include itchiness, redness, swelling, crusting, dryness, cracked skin, hair loss, dryness of the eyes, hives, or irritated red throats, difficulty in breathing, and more.
Eczema can be divided into two categories based on what causes it. One is the contact eczema, which is caused by exposure to a substance that triggers the immune system to become inflamed. The other type is known as allergic dermatitis, which is the result of an allergy to the substance. Both types can be treated with creams and medications that have been proven to work.
The cause of allergic eczema is the use of the wrong products that cause irritation or contact with substances that cause allergic reactions. This type of eczema is very common among babies and children. The most common triggers are dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and smoke from cigarettes.
Contact eczema is caused by contact with pollens, mites, dust, oil, or any other substances that can irritate the skin. It is this type of eczema that is very often mistaken for a stye.
Allergic dermatitis is caused by an allergic reaction to a substance or food. The symptoms are similar to those of eczema, but they occur on a larger scale. Most common among adults is atopic dermatitis, which is caused by exposure to milk, eggs, nuts, or soy. However, some babies are affected as well.
With aseptic skin, bacteria can get into the mucous membranes causing an infection. These problems are usually more than just a slight itch but maybe a deep infection that requires antibiotics to treat. The bacterial infections that can result from allergic reactions can be serious and can lead to a life-threatening condition known as hemolytic anemia.
While skin infections and fungal infections tend to be caused by the same factors, it is not contagious to people who have only had contact eczema. This does not mean that people with normal eczema do not have fungal or bacterial infections, however.
Another form of eczema is called contact dermatitis. It is the same as eczema except that it is caused by the same factors as allergies. These include allergies to animals, dust, perfume, detergents, lanolin, and many others.
Eczema is often confused with more serious skin conditions, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, which are both caused by allergic reactions. Both are common in children, however. Only one of these conditions needs to be treated with medication to achieve better results.
Both atopic dermatitis and eczema are really just very similar conditions that share common symptoms but differ in how severe they are. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, please seek help.
