Eczema
Eczema is a common inflammatory condition of the skin. Many skin diseases cause symptoms similar to those of eczema, so it is important to have the disease properly diagnosed before it is treated.
What are the symptoms of eczema?
Eczema is characterized by scaling, thickened patches of skin that can become red and fissured. It may also appear as tiny blisters (called vesicles) that rupture, weep, and crust over. The most troublesome and prevalent symptom of eczema is itching, which may be constant.
How is it treated?
White petrolatum, hydrogenated vegetable oil, or other emollients are often recommended to hydrate the excessively dry skin of eczema. The mainstay conventional treatment for eczema is topical corticosteroid cream or ointment. Avoidance of known allergens is also recommended.
Dietary changes that may be helpful:
Eczema can be triggered by allergies. Most children with eczema have food allergies. A doctor should be consulted to determine whether allergies are a factor. Once the trigger for the allergy has been identified, avoidance of the allergen can lead to significant improvement.
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