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atopic eczema (dermatitis)

lindterbean by lindterbean Young Parent(June 2006) (rank 80th)
My 4 year old son came back from school yesterday and had some skin rash on his face. It's winter here at the moment. He never had skin rash in cold weather before. The rash gone overnight, but when he went out again today he got rash again. Is it
just atopic eczema?

Typically, at any age, the dry air of wintertime can cause skin to become dry, itchy and flaky, and cold winds can cause redness, rawness and bumps. However, in up to 15% of the population this can be an indicator of atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis, terms used for an allergy related itchy, red skin rash that tends to flare up occasionally, especially when an allergen is present or when the immune system is already being taxed by another allergic reaction.

AE occurs more often in babies and young children, but can happen at any age. It may run its course and never appear again, or it may last as long as days, months or years. When flare ups start at a young age (usually under 5 years), in 2 out of every 3 children, they diminish in frequency or may disappear altogether by the teenage years. It is not contagious, and although it cannot be cured in the true sense of the word, symptoms can be treated.

symptoms of atopic eczema

  • dry skin
  • Skin redness and inflammation, especially in creases and areas that flex like in front of elbows and back of knees and around the neck, and the face and scalp of babies.
  • itchy skin that if scratched becomes thickened (try not to do this!) Itching may be worse at night
  • skin that is red, pimpled, blistered, or oozing (leaking fluid) with crusts and weepy inflamed areas in more severe cases which may lead to infection
  • skin that hurts when touched and feels scaly or hot
  • close relatives that also suffer from the condition

what can I do to make it feel better?

  • Do not scratch or rub the rash
  • Bathe with warm instead of hot water with unscented moisturizers added and pat dry (do not rub)
  • Avoid irritants to the skin and other 'triggers' wherever possible. This may or may not include too much bathing or showering, perfumed soaps, bubble baths, rough fabric, temperature extremes, excessive sweating,pet dander, laundry detergent that may be left on clothes, dust mites in bedding, food or other allergens, emotional stress and hormonal changes, or a compromised immune system from a recent illness or infection.
  • Emollients or Moisturisers can help relive the dryness and itching and prevent escalation of symptoms. Regular use can also prevent flare-ups. Use of an unscented variety can also prevent any consequent allergic reactions.
  • Use of topical steroid or corticosteroid ointments and creams. Some hydrocortisone creams are available over-the-counter - usually 1%. If a stronger cream is required, a prescription may be necessary. These can be used in addition to moisturizers; apply at lease 30min apart to avoid dilution.
  • antihistamines can help relive allergy reactions
  • in more severe cases a doctor or caregiver may also recommend UV light treatments or antibiotics to help with healing
  • topical immunomodulators may also be prescribed if other laternatives are exhausted, but the long-term safety of these product is still being evaluated.

Further help and information

for photos and age-specific information:
http://www.dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/atopic.html


in London:
National Eczema Society
Hill House, Highgate Hill, London, N19 5NA
Tel (Helpline): 0870 241 3604   Web: www.eczema.org

Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of Minti.com Pty Ltd. If you are searching for health related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Terms of Service for more details.
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antiagingdoctor
March 2009 | antiagingdoctor
anti aging cream...
anti aging cream... I didnt use anti-aging products one year ago until I begain noticing some fine lines on my face. I've had wrinkles for 2 years and usually just use regular face cream, but it doesn't really help at all. so i tried these in a whole year: Eat more chocolate, it's said to boost your body's ability to reverse the spots of aging. After 3 months trying, the result is: no effect at all. Then i tried out Retino-A, feels better then, but didnt actually eliminate some fine lines. Then one free stuff(h*t*tp://tinyurl.com/b67tys), pretty damn awesome in the first 3 months and the age spots were gone, but then i feel a little dry, so I'm trying to find the right products that will help to maintain young and not that try, not just the appearance, any suggestions? What do you think of Dr.Denese and Dermapril?


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emmie
March 2009 | emmie
Re: atopic eczema (dermatitis)

great advice

thanx for sharing xx



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Anonymous Member
 
This Comment has been deleted
functionmed
3.50 (Good) | June 2006 | functionmed
Atopic Eczema

Occurs most frequently in children who wre born caesarian section or normal and not breast fed, or who's mother lacked sufficient bifidobacterium in the bith canal (vagina) at time of birthing. Or in an infant, child or adulkt who has had antibiotic treatment and did not reinocculate with bifidobaterium, acidophilus and B group vitamins.

The Birthing and bifidobacterium infantis
Let us examine the bifidobacterium pathway. When an infant is born, normally (intravaginally), the infant picks up numerous bacteria including fecal bacteria in the birth process, most of these whilst essential to normal gut function, uncontrolled, can and do create havoc both within the gut and outside the gut. A common example is Candida Albicans  which, in the female, invades the vagina and is commonly known as thrush.  There is one other bacteria among all of these which is the control lactobaccilis. Bifidobacterium Infantis, the friendly Probiotic.

Under the influence of breastfeeding by day seven Bifidobacterium in a healthy infant  comprises 90% of the infants stool.. Now, if the infant is breast-fed for several months the bifidobacteria proliferates with the function of  improving digestion and immune status, manufacturing certain nutrients including, but not confined to:
 Biotin
 Choline
 Folic Acid
 Inositol
 Para Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA)
 Vitamin B2
 Vitamin B5
 Vitamin B6
 Vitamin K)

and importantly controlling the detrimental bacteria, which if uncontrolled, proliferate and in time eat away at the mucosal lining of the gut with the consequence of a hyper-permeable gut lining "Leaky Gut".

If an infant is born via caesarian section or not breast fed there will not be enough friendly bacteria to control the unfriendly bacteria with consequent proliferation and penetration of any body tissue causing inflammation and/or pain.

A common example might be infant eczema. Of course antibiotics, the most over-prescribed medication on  this planet, will destroy much of the friendly bacteria, especially acidophilus located in the small intestine. Interestingly, mothers of today do not have near the amount of bifidobacterium in the birth process that their grandmothers had a few decades ago. A recent Danish study could not find any bifidobacteriun in infants born in a Danish hospital.  Bifidobaceria thrive on what are called Fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Best sources of FOS are banana, onion, garlic and tomatoes.

Most infants and children's allergic and/or minor infectious episodes respond to intensive probiotic treatment. Bifidobacterium and acidophilus are very potent antibacterial/virus agents to which infectious bacteria cannot become resistant, unlike all antibiotics.

More on skin:

Always assuming attention is given to the above cellular nutrients and maintaining a 40:30:30 dietary intake and where appropriate attention to dietary lectins (ABO Blood Type).

Retarded wound healing, and in fact all skin lesions respond to a balanced zinc supplement, which  is  also essential to at least 300 enzyme functions as well as being essential for DNA synthesis.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's)  preferably as fish oil are important in the respiration of vital organs, and assist oxygen transport to all cells, tissues and organs .EFA's are also essential for the function and integrity of the glandular system, especially the adrenal and thyroid gland, and are necessary for nourishment of the mucous membrane, nerve cells and skin. 

However, baseline therapy in improving cellular respiration would demand an intensive treatment program with Zell Oxygen, a liquid yeast produced in high-density oxygen tanks, and originally formulated by German scientists for its therapeutic effect in treating cancer. Successful  treatment  of eczemic-like  skin lesions has  been accomplished nutritionally  by restoration of  deficiencies of vitamin B6  and essential fatty  acids which may produce this  condition.  The  sulfur  amino  acids  work   with  selenium  and both deficiencies of selenium  and excesses of  selenium can produce  skin lesions.  One  of the symptoms  of selenium excess is a dermatitis, which  is  seen  in  some  patients  who  overuse  selenium containing  anti-dandruff shampoos.

 Skin   eruptions   particularly those of the eczematous type may be the  result  of  dietary protein malabsorption with consequent sensitivity or allergy to partially broken down  polypeptides which are  capable of  either  an  immunological    (histamine) reaction  or a kinin  mediated (non‑immunological reaction). In many cases a result of hypochlorhydria and or  pancreatic insufficiency. In the breastfed infant allergy or sensitivity may be manifested as acrodermatitis or eczema due to transmition via breast milk of the mothers allergic responses to commonly met food substances. Infants weaned onto cows milk will often manifest acrodermatitis enteropica with inflammation at all body excretory orifices, due to the infants inability to digest the protein component of cows milk. disorderitionall we now must pay attention to the glycoproteins known as Lectins which can elicit red blood cell aglutination and histamine reaction in any body tissue according to blood type.

Attention to glucose tolerance (Insulin Zone)is essential to the management of all skin problems. Dietary adjustment to ensure foods that are low in the Glycemic Index rating are important in the effective  management of dermatological risk factors. Always ensuring that the low GI rated foods are also complex  and not refined carbohydrates.

 Early warning signs of potassium deficiency include acne in the adolescent and dry skin in older people. Potassium deficiency may be related to increased diuresis and diets high in refined carbohydrates. Magnesium sufficiency is essential to retain potassium storage.  

Vitamin D  status may be enhanced by proper exposure of the naked eye and skin to near ultraviolet light,  that is, shielded behind window glass, for skin integrity.  This may have to do with vitamin D synthesis or possibly more likely ultraviolet  lights  impact  on  the total  endocrine system.  This  wavelength of light is in the region of the  spectrum where extensive  burning of the  skin does not occur  but activation of  receptor sites for release of various hormones  such as melatonin occurs.

 Copper is a trace mineral essential to humans assisting in the formation of hemoglobin and red blood cells by facilitaing iron absorption. Copper also aids in the conversion of the amino acid Tyrosine into the dark pigment which colours hair and skin. Problems of copper deficiency are rare in our society and overload probably more common. Because copper is an antagonist to zinc which is essential to good skin it would seem prudent to ensure copper levels are kept under control by regular zinc supplementation in conjunction with magnesium.

 Assuring selenium status is advisable because this trace element is a potent scavenger of free radicals and therefore preventive against certain cancers including skin cancer. Insffuicient perippheral levelsof  Omega-3 are emerging as an important factor in skin cancer, especially melanoma. THat is to say moderate exposure to sun without burning is advisable to eleveta Vit. D levels an insufficiency of which is proven to increase the risk of cancer of all epethilial (breast, skin, intestines) tisssue, and the great majority of our society unless eating or supplementing oily fish/fish oil are ghrossly deficient in omega-3s

 Lysine is an amino acid which is obtained only from animal protein, and essential in the lysine/arginine ratio for the prevention and treatment of the herpes virus both I & II. Arginine is found mainly in chocolate, grains,  nuts and seeds. For this reason the incidence of herpes in vegetarians is much higher than in non-vegetarians. Every effort should be made to ensure adequate dietary intake of lysine by at least eating dairy products, such as yoghurt on a regular basis.

 Vitamin E is a valuable nutrient in the treatment of burns and abrasions, and assists in the reduction of scar tissue, especially acne scars where x-ray treatment has been used. Free radicals which cause skin wrinkling this cross-linking process  will be controlled by vitamin E which is also a potent scavenger of free radical pathology. Vitamin E is very useful when applied topically as well as taken orally in treating dry itching skin problems.

 As the organ responsible for detoxification and normalisation of blood fats, optimising liver  function  is  of  paramount    importance in treating skin disorders. 

  Alcohol (ethanol) prematurely ages the Skin.

Carbohydrates; Excessive consumption of Simple Sugars causes Cross-Linking (glycosylation) of the Collagen in Skin, resulting in Wrinkles.

These Ailments cause Eczema
Digestive System: Hypochlorhydria (insufficient production of Hydrochloric Acid) is the underlying cause of some cases of Eczema.  peer-reviewed research
    Intestinal Permeability is the underlying cause of some cases of (atopic) Eczema.  peer-reviewed research

Immune System: Eczema (when the cause is not Essential Fatty Acid deficiency) is often the result of Allergies.  research
    Eczema patients generally have a high Helper T-Cells:Suppressor T-Cells ratio.

These Substances Cause Asthma or are Implicated in Eczema
Cytokines:Elevated IgE levels are associated with an increased risk of (atopic) Eczema.  research

Hormones: Excessive production of Platelet Aggregating Factor (PAF) is implicated in Eczema (due to its Inflammatory function).

Lipids: Excessive production of Leukotriene B4 is implicated in (atopic) Eczema.  research
    Excessive production of Prostaglandin E2 is implicated in (atopic) Eczema.  research

Minerals: Arsenic poisoning can cause Eczema.  research

There are numerous natural substanmces which may effectively treat eczema. Hre are jus the oils:

Oils (dietary Oils)
Borage Seed Oil alleviates (atopic) Eczema.  research
Evening Primrose Oil (1,000 - 3,000 mg per day) alleviates (atopic) Eczema.  research
Fish Oils (3,000 - 4,000 mg per day consumed orally or applied topically) alleviate (atopic) Eczema (due to the Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) content of Fish Oils).  research
Flax Seed Oil alleviates many cases of Eczema (due to the Alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA) content of Flax Seed Oil).  research
Olive Oil alleviates Eczema when the Eczema is caused by EFA deficiency (due to the Fatty Acids content of Olive Oil).
Oils (topical Oils)
Emu Oil (applied topically or consumed orally) reduces the Inflammation of the Skin associated with Eczema. Author: Absolutely superior to fih oils. In Australia "Emu Spirit" oil is only one with TGA approval for all of the claims made for Emu Oil
Lavender (oil added to bath water) alleviates Eczema.
Eczema responds well to Neem Oil (applied topically)
Oregano Oil (applied topically) alleviates Eczema.  research
Tamanu Oil (applied topically) reputedly alleviates Eczema.  research
    Tea Tree Oil (applied topically to the site of the Eczema) alleviates the Itching associated with Eczema.

 



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Izzy
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2006 | Izzy
Excellent.

Excellent info. I've suffered with eczema all my life, fortunately they are in areas that are not obvious (like the sole of my feet). It has depressed me some when I was younger, but really there is no cure. But you are right, there are things that can be done to control it.

I just want to add that the use of steriod creams  and ointments daily will cause the skin to thin, so be stingy about it. But this is no cause for worry because the thin skin does bounce back when the use of steriod is stopped. Also there are Rx ointments that do not contain steriod. The use of creams with or without steriod really depends on the eczema.



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      tracey
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2006 | tracey
Excellent.
My daughters was pretty bad when she was really young but it's gotten better with time. There's a few products that I have found that work better than others. One is called "Gentle Naturals Eczema Cream". It's thick and rich and nice to use on little ones. It did a good job on my daughter. Maybe it'd work on your feet Izzy.


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           Izzy
July 2006 | Izzy
Excellent.

I've used Gentle Naturals for my son's cradle cap and it worked great. I may try the eczema cream. Thanks.



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