Durban - A skin condition characterised by inflammation and redness, eczema causes constant itching, is found among all age groups, and between 10 percent and 20 percent of all people get it at one stage or another, points out Regina Malan, author of Eczema: Your Essential Guide.
The Human & Rousseau publication looks at precisely what eczema is, what causes it, how to treat the skin condition and keep it under control, and who gets it. The book also includes tips and case studies, offering an in-depth look at this unpleasant condition.
It shows how to overcome the agony of eczema through appropriate daily skincare, lifestyle changes, medical treatment, watching diet, and being aware of the relationship between mind and body.
The first step towards improving the condition is to understand it, says Malan.
“Eczema has given rise to many myths. It’s contagious, some say. It’s an allergy. You get eczema because a house is dirty. These are old wives’ tales that are simply not true,” she adds.
The most recent medical research shows that your unique genetic composition holds the key, the book explains.
In his book Eczema-free For Life, Dr Adnan Nasir points out that eczema is caused by the abnormal development of about 20 genes that determines how your skin will react to the environment.
Eczema is not an illness or an allergy, Nasir says – it is a vulnerability of your body.
More than one member of a family can suffer from eczema, but it is important to note that each eczema sufferer develops the condition separately.
You cannot catch eczema from another person, and if you suffer from it your children cannot catch it from you.
Secondary infections, such as cold sores and fungal infections may, however, occur and these are indeed contagious through skin contact, says Malan.
If eczema isn’t contagious, why does it appear in families? Because the sufferer inherits the tendency, she says.
“When you have an irritating skin rash, the best thing to do is visit a doctor to have your condition accurately diagnosed. The rash could be eczema, but it could also be another skin condition.
“Without the right diagnosis it is difficult to get effective treatment to thoroughly clear up the condition. Many skin conditions that seem to resemble one another require completely different procedures. If your general practitioner cannot give an accurate diagnosis, then visit a dermatologist.”
Eczema is generally not a medical emergency and you may, at times, find relief in over-the-counter medication, skin creams and lifestyle adjustments, says Malan.
However, she advises that in any of the following instances you should consult a doctor for more effective treatment:
*If eczema has an adverse effect on your daily life – for instance, perhaps your work is compromised, or your sleep is disrupted.
*If over-the-counter medications, such as hydrocortisone cream, do not relieve the rash.
*If the rash is red, swollen and painful; if vesicles are formed, fluid is leaked and crust develops; if you have a fever.
These are all indications of an infection and require medical attention. It may even be necessary to check into the hospital’s casualty ward.
The Mercury