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Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis
Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) is a condition where the skin is itchy and dry and can often be inflamed. In more severe cases, or during what are known as "flares", the skin may be cracked and bleeding. Over time, the skin can become thickened, or leathery, due to chronic scratching.
If the condition presents in early infancy, the cheeks are often the spot to be affected. The inside of the elbows and back of the knees are often the affected sites in older children. At different stages of life, and with different individuals, other sites may be affected, such as the wrists, knees, body trunk and groin. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a bilateral condition meaning that if a site is affected on one side of the body, the same site on the other side of the body is generally also affected. For example, left wrist and right wrist, left and right knee, etc. And, eczema may be aggravated by contact with irritants, such as wool, synthetic fabrics, harsh or drying cleansers, detergents, pollen, or even sweat.
There is no absolute known cause for eczema, or atopic dermatitis, but there is a genetic component to the condition. It often runs in families with a 60% chance of a child having eczema if one parent has eczema. If both parents have eczema, there is an 80% chance that the child will have eczema, too. Individuals with eczema are often allergy prone. It is also common for individuals with eczema to also have asthma, allergic rhinitis, or both. In fact, 80% of children with eczema will develop some sort of allergic rhinitis or Asthma. Knowing what triggers your eczema can help you prevent skin problems and avoid flares.
Most importantly, though, a skin management regimen of proper skin care is essential. Remember that eczema is a condition having very itchy, very dry and even inflamed skin, so extra care is essential. Soap is usually too drying and irritating and most people find that a gentle, non-drying body wash is a more comfortable choice. Natural colloidal oatmeal is a recommended ingredient for soothing itchy, dry, rashy skin. In fact, it has long been recommended by doctors and was even used by ancient healers in Egypt for just this kind of soothing care.
A warm bath (not hot!) of shorter duration, with a gentle, non-drying cleanser that contains natural oatmeal, can help replace lost moisture to soothe the skin and help relieve dryness. AVEENO® Soothing Relief Bath Treatment contains 100% natural colloidal oatmeal, which is the whole oat grain that has been specially prepared and milled to a fine powder so that it disperses well in bath water and it is known as a skin-soothing ingredient. And because individuals with eczema are often sensitive to fragrances and perfumes, this natural cleanser is fragrance free, provides temporary skin protection and relieves irritation and itching. For babies or children with eczema, try AVEENO® Baby Soothing Bath Treatment.
Experts recommend that you seal in moisture after the bath by patting dry and immediately applying a moisturizer. AVEENO® has several colloidal oatmeal-containing moisturizers that are suitable for everyday dryness and for people with skin dryness due to eczema, including AVEENO® Daily Moisturizing Lotion. This non-greasy lotion, with natural colloidal oatmeal and rich emollients, helps heal and protect dry skin and is clinically proven to moisturize for a full 24 hours. Also, AVEENO® Baby Soothing Moisture Cream is enriched with skin-soothing natural colloidal oatmeal to help restore lost moisture for the relief of dry skin associated with eczema and is clinically proven to reduce dryness and cracking associated with eczema while moisturizing skin for 24 hours.
