Eczema is a pervasive skin condition that will affect nearly 10 percent of all people at some point in their lives. Here is a quick glimpse at four things that you might not know about eczema and a few steps that you can take to address the symptoms of this health complication.
There Are Many Types of Eczema
You might be surprised to hear that eczema is actually a catch-all term that is used to describe a variety of different symptoms. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis, and that condition often results in dry and red patches of skin. Eczema can also be caused by hereditary diseases, external irritants, and certain types of medication. To discover which type of eczema you have, you will need to have your primary doctor or a dermatologist test your skin.
Flare-Ups Can Occur Anywhere
Most people who struggle with this condition will only deal with outbreaks on certain parts of the body, but the symptoms can occur anywhere. When you set out to treat your eczema, you will probably want to focus on areas that are particularly problematic. That being said, most people struggle with flare-ups on their hands, and you will need to spend a little bit of time researching hand eczema information if you want to treat those symptoms.
It Isn’t Contagious
Even though eczema can be hereditary, it is important to realize that this condition isn’t contagious. While you might want to refrain from coming into direct contact with your loved ones when a flare-up occurs, you won’t be able to pass along the condition. For many years, doctors believed that the hereditary form of eczema was contagious, but countless studies have shown us otherwise.
There Are Many Triggers
One of the reasons why eczema is so difficult to manage is because there are thousands of factors that might trigger a flare-up. After an individual is diagnosed with eczema, their doctor or dermatologist will often carry out a wide variety of tests to figure out potential triggers. You might also want to keep a journal where you write down some of the factors that could be causing flare-ups. Some of the most common triggers include dry air, cold weather, beauty products, stress, and household cleaners.
Eczema can be an uncomfortable and unsightly problem, but doctors have come up with some great tactics for managing the symptoms of this health complication. With a few lifestyle changes and some high-quality skincare products, you should be able to reduce the frequency and severity of your flare-ups.