Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is chronic inflammation of the skin. Though many people think of eczema as an issue for the dermatologist, it is often a symptom of a deeper problem: allergies.
When the body encounters allergens (pollen, allergenic foods, etc.), it can misinterpret them as invading enemies and try to fight them off by releasing chemicals into the body. These chemicals can lead to inflammation of the skin which leads to the below symptoms:
Signs of Eczema:
- Red patches
- Itching
- Raised bumps that may ooze and crust over
- Thickened, cracked or scaly skin
- Infected sores
One in 10 children has eczema, but half of those children will outgrow the skin condition by the time they reach adolescence. The rest may continue to suffer with eczema through their adult life.
Managing Eczema:
If eczema is lowering the quality of your life, consult a physician. Skin creams, antihistamines and oral corticosteroids can help manage the symptoms of eczema. If the eczema is caused by allergies, however, symptoms will likely continue to recur without the intervention of allergy immunotherapy. Contact AllergyEasy to find out if you would be a candidate for allergy testing and treatment, including “no-shots” treatment using sublingual immunotherapy (safer and more convenient than shots).
