Understanding and Managing Eczema

Eczema is a common yet often misunderstood skin condition that can significantly affect daily life. Characterised by itchy, dry skin, eczema can be more than just a minor irritation—it can disrupt your routine, impact your confidence, and lead to body image issues if left undiagnosed and untreated.

This blog aims to simplify the understanding of eczema and highlight how Kaya Skin Clinic can help you manage and control flare-ups effectively.

Understanding Eczema: The First Step Towards Healthy Skin

Understanding eczema is the first step to resolving it. Eczema is a chronic skin condition that can be disruptive, causing dry, red, and itchy skin. It is thought to be caused by an overactive immune system, depleting the skin’s natural barrier and causing it to dry out. Eczema can appear on the face, hands, knees, elbows, neck, and ankles, and there are many types of the condition. Since the causes and types of flare-ups differ between individuals, it’s important to work with a doctor experienced in treating eczema. Kaya Skin Clinic is a great option for treatment.

Types of Eczema: Identifying and Differentiating

Although all types are characterised by chronic dry skin and intense itching, there are, in fact, many different types of eczema. Correct diagnosis is essential, as it guarantees a good and effective treatment plan. Working with the medical professionals at Kaya Skin Clinic is a testament to our commitment to your well-being. Kaya’s care philosophy revolves around personalised, custom-made solutions for each client, ensuring that you feel valued and cared for.

Atopic Dermatitis: The Common Culprit

Atopic Dermatitis symptoms can typically appear anywhere on your body but are most commonly seen on your arms or in the creases of your elbows or knees. Children can develop symptoms on their scalp and cheeks.

Contact Dermatitis: When Skin Meets Irritants

Contact Dermatitis occurs when your skin reacts to substances it comes into contact with. There are two types of contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis is an immune system reaction to irritants like latex or metal. On the other hand, irritant contact dermatitis happens when a substance, like a chemical, directly damages your skin.

Dyshidrotic Eczema: Managing Blisters on Hands and Feet

Dyshidrotic Eczema, also known as pompholyx, is characterised by small blisters forming on your hands and feet.

Neuro-Dermatitis: Breaking the Itch-Scratch Cycle

Neuro-Dermatitis, also called lichen simplex chronicus, is a variation of the condition that causes eczema patches to develop. It causes intense scratching that gets worse the more you scratch.

Stasis Dermatitis: When Circulation Affects Skin Health

Stasis Dermatitis—According to medical experts, this type occurs in individuals with poor circulation and is caused by fluid leaking out of weakened veins into the skin.

Seborrheic Dermatitis: Addressing Scalp Eczema

Seborrheic Dermatitis is also referred to as scalp eczema because it usually affects your scalp.

Nummular Eczema: Recognising the Coin-Shaped Rash

Nummular Eczema, also known as discoid eczema, is identifiable by round, coin-shaped spots that appear on the skin. Although it looks very different from other types of eczema, it is similar to all the other types in that there is no relief from that pesky itch.

Eczema Symptoms: Recognising the Signs and Taking Action

Eczema symptoms can appear anywhere on the body and vary widely from person to person. They may include:

● Dry, cracked skin

● Severe itching

● Rash on swollen skin that varies in colour depending on skin colour

● Small, raised bumps

● Oozing and crusting

● Thickened skin

● Darkening of the skin around the eyes

● Raw skin from scratching

Daily Management Tips: Keeping Eczema Under Control

Managing eczema starts with everyday life. Be mindful that everyday practices do not exacerbate the situation by making dry skin worse. Some things to be careful about in your daily routines to avoid drying out your skin are as follows.

● Baths should never be in hot water, as this tends to deplete the skin’s moisture barrier, which in turn will dry out the skin.

● The more time you spend in the water, the less oils remain on your skin. So keep showers and baths as short as possible.

● Switch to a mild soap or gel intended for sensitive skin.

● Moisturise with a good quality moisturiser as soon as you step out of the bath and follow up with reapplications.

● Use a humidifier to replenish the humidity levels in your immediate environment.

While the golden rule of treating eczema is to keep your skin moisturised, in severe cases, your doctor may also prescribe medications after a detailed analysis and consultation. That said, let’s look at some common ways of combating eczema.

● Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as moisturisers, antihistamines, and lotions. You must be careful with these and listen to your body when using them. If you see any reactions, stop using them immediately and consult with your doctor before proceeding further.

● Prescription medications, such as topical corticosteroids, which are the most widely prescribed medicine for eczema, or calcineurin inhibitors.

● Light or phototherapy.

● Injectable medications, such as biologics.

● Home remedies like wet wrap therapy, colloidal oatmeal baths, etc.

Diet and Eczema: Food Habits for Healthier Skin

Although no direct link has been found between food and eczema, the following is a list of food habits you can develop and maintain to manage your eczema:

● Increase your intake of water.

● Include more vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables in your diet.

● Consider switching to organic foods if your budget allows it.

● Include more fish in your diet. Alternatively, fish oil or omega-3 fatty acid supplements will work as well.

● Include vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, and probiotics in your daily routine.

● Change your cooking oils to olive or coconut oil.

● Include more whole grains, lean proteins, legumes, nuts, and seeds in your diet.

Kaya Skin Clinic: Your Partner in Eczema Management

While managing eczema on your own may seem daunting, with Kaya by your side, it becomes a journey towards relief and comfort. With years of experience and expert skin professionals on our team, we are proficient in diagnosing and developing tailor-made solutions for everyone. Our philosophy of providing curated solutions, fine-tuned to combat every scenario, makes us the right choice, especially for a condition like eczema, which requires constant attention and management. We also have our in-house brand of moisturisers and creams that are top-of-the-line for all things skincare, and with the help of an expert professional from Kaya, you will be sure to find the one that is the right fit for your unique skin.

So what are you waiting for? Call your nearest Kaya Skin Clinic and gain freedom from the itch holding you back from living your best life!