The following scenario is too familiar to many: you experience a sudden, intense itching. Itching turns into an angry, scaly red rash, and then it starts to spread. No, it’s not toxic ivy or chickenpox. You have atopic dermatitisBetter known as eczema.
According to National Eczema AssociationMore than 31 million people in the United States alone Experience this genetic skin condition. All from Adele to Suni Lee has handled it And recently it received media attention thanks to the 2023 documentary “Under My Skin: Untold Stories of Life with Eczem”, as well as the 2016 HBO series “The Night of”, where John Turturro’s character, John Stone, has an intense case of eczema. While his inflatedly famous landed him at the hospital, Common disease Can usually be handled with some simple tips.
To improve Understand eczema And what causes it we spoke with dermatologists Craig AustinMD, to get the downturn. Continue reading for everything you need to know.
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Craig AustinMD, is a New York City skin doctor and founder of Cane + Austin.
What is eczema?
Eczema is a common, chronic inflammatory skin condition where an overactive immune system leads to a Impaired skin barrier It can cause dry, itchy skin and even skin infections. “Medically, it is called atopic dermatitis,” says Dr. Austin. “It is usually an itching as a rash rather than a rash that itches.”
However, what makes the skin condition more complicated is that it manifests itself differently for everyone. It may look as early as childhood and usually pops up on the face, elbows and knees. From there, it can eventually spread to other parts of the body and can be quite painful if not treated. Dermatologists usually diagnose eczema through its appearance and sometimes of biopsies to exclude other problems.
What causes eczema?
Eczema’s thing is unknown, although British Journal of Dermatology Found that it can start as an autoimmunt condition. Genetics, as well as a family history with allergies, can also play a role. If someone in your family has eczema, it is more likely that you will develop it sometime during your life.
What triggers eczema?
The difficult part with this skin condition is that there are many potential causes that can triggering upblowingLike genetics, your environment, stress or even allergies. “When your skin is dry, it easily breaks down to form a rash,” says Dr. Austin.
Environmental factors such as cold, dry air, overexposure for water, air pollution, low humidity, smoking, irritating soaps or perfumes, stress and diet can all contribute to eczema.
Common areas that are prone to eczema
Again, although eczema rash can occur anywhere on the body, says Dr. Austin that it is more common on bending areas (elbows, backs of knees, neck, etc.) and arms and legs. “It probably happens on the extremities more due to the lack of circulation in these areas and thus results in drier skin.”
How serious can eczema be?
Unfortunately, eczema can go beyond severe intense itching; Suffering risks more for skin infections. “A person with eczema who develops a cold sore due to herpes simplex virus is more susceptible to spread throughout the skin,” says Dr. Austin. Those with this condition are also vulnerable to erythroderma, an inflammatory disease that causes much of the body to turn red. This will lead to loss of body fluids and electrolytes.
“These are serious issues that everyone must be regulated in a hospital under the supervision of doctors,” he says.
How to treat eczema
The best business when treating some serious skin condition, but especially severe eczema, is help with a dermatologist. They can equip you with Recipe force steroids to relieve rashes quickly. Another option is without disk Hydrocortisone creamBut make sure you don’t use it for more than five days to a week.
Otherwise, mild exfoliation and deep hydration are crucial when handling these rashes; Exfoliate to remove the dull, dry skin and then moisten the soft skin underneath with a rich cream. Some of them Best products for eczema The market is available at Apoteket.
Tips for managing eczema at home
- Avoid drying your skin. This sounds obvious, but everything from excessive swimming and monitoring hands to long, hot showers can remove moisture.
- Add extra hydration back to the skin. Make sure you drink plenty of water and moisturize religiously. Dr. Austin also suggests using a humidifier in winter to prevent the skin from becoming too parched.
- Follow an anti -inflammatory diet. Processed foods, sugars, simple carbohydrates and alcohol increase cortisol and insulin production, causing inflammation (the body’s immune system response). “Eat foods containing omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, walnuts and sardines, which help reduce inflammation and dryness of the skin,” says Dr. Austin.
- Skip the perfumed soaps, lotions and other beauty products. Lofting objects can irritate sensitive skin. Dr. Austin likes neutrogenase and Cetaphil’s scent -free formulas because they are extremely gentle.
- Don’t stress. Stress also triggers cortisol production and thus inflammation in the body, which will lead to itching and eczema blasts. Think of a tropical holiday during the winter to help you unwind. “It can clear your eczema due to reduced stress and increased (skin) hydration from the humid environment,” says Dr. Austin.
Jessica Harrington Is Senior Beauty Editor on PS, where she writes about hair, makeup, skin care, piercings, tattoos and more. As a New York City-based writer and editor with a degree in journalism and over eight years of industry experience, she loves to interview industry experts, keeping up with the latest trends and testing new products.
Emily Orofino was a former editor of PS Beauty.
