Eczema is a complex, relapsing medical condition that occurs when the skin is red, dry and irritated. Typically there is a family history of hay fever, asthma or allergic rhinitis (atopic illness). Eczema affects 20% of children and less than 10% adults.

Most children will grow out of eczema by late childhood but may flare again in adulthood. Eczema accounts for one in 30 general practice consultations and about 15% of dermatology referrals. Although the majority is mild, it can have a significant psychological effect on the individual.

Eczema often presents where you flex your joints and on the face

Eczema can occur anywhere but common sites are the flexural areas (behind knees, wrists and front elbows) and face. It is initially itchy then the skin becomes scaly, red, dry and inflamed.

In fair-skinned patients, these areas may be red. Among darker-skinned people it appears light grey or black. If untreated, the skin can become weeping, blistered, scaling and lichenified (thickened).

The cause of eczema is unknown

The exact cause of eczema is unknown but it may be due to an immune response to any irritant (such as pets, paints, pollens, dust) due to a defect in the skins barrier. This barrier allows moisture out, therefore the epidermis is vulnerable to bacteria, viruses or even fungus.

Moisturisers are the best form of management

As most patients present with itch, the treatment is geared towards relieving and preventing itching, which can lead to infection. As the skin is dry and itchy (itch-scratch cycle) lotions and creams are recommended to keep the skin moist. It is best to use these emollients and washes when the skin is damp to keep the skin moist. Applying emollients should be in the direction of hairs as this will prevent blocked pores/infection.

Eczema can be kept under control by knowing triggers and applying emollients, washes and cold compresses for itch. If emollients are stored in the fridge, they are effective for itch management.

Treatment

If Eczema does not settle, you should see your general practitioner for stronger topical steroids +/- a topical or oral antibiotic or antifungal. Good communication between the GP and the patient is essential as treatment failure due to poor adherence is common. Education and communication is very important and information should be provided with regards to steroids, the management of flares and recognising infected atopic eczema.

Education provides better treatment adherence. HCPs (health care professionals) need to take time to educate the affected individual and families and provide information leaflets, feedback and follow up at regular intervals.

New product feedback pathways should be provided by HCPs in order to assess compliance, autonomy and progress.

Referrals

Few patients will need a dermatology referral. They may require potent steroids, phototherapy or immunomodulators.

The post Understanding your eczema to help find the best treatment appeared first on Health News.

Acne is one of the most common disorders treated by dermatologists. The prevalence of acne vulgaris globally was 681.2 million in 2016, an increase of 10% from 612 million in 2006 (1).

Acne is a common, chronic, inflammatory disease of sebaceous follicles, the glands that produce sebum. Approximately 80% of people are affected by acne between the onset of puberty and 30 years of age (1).

Psychological impacts of acne

Acne can range in severity from person to person and can lead to prominent emotional and psychological issues.

Acne is more than just a cosmetic nuisance – it can cause anxiety, depression and other psychological problems that affect lives in ways comparable to arthritis or other disabling illnesses (1).

Your pharmacist is here to help

Pharmacies are usually the first port of call when a person begins to show symptoms of mild acne. Most people will require advice as the sheer number of products to choose from can be bewildering.

Approximately 80% of people are affected by acne between the onset of puberty and 30 years of age.

A good skincare regime, especially in the early stages, can really help to keep acne under control, and many options are now available over the counter without prescription.

The use of salicylic acid to treat acne

Salicylic acid helps shed cells from the surface of the skin and can decrease redness and swelling. This decreases the number of spots that form and encourages healing.

Salicylic acid can dry out the skin, however, so it is important to get the correct advice about maintaining skin’s integrity.

I myself suffer with hormonal cystic breakouts and find that a good skincare regime, with products containing alpha hydroxy acids as active ingredients, has really helped control my acne.

It is imperative to start on very low percentages of these active ingredients and work your way up to the more concentrated versions to allow your skin to build tolerance. The same instructions apply to retinol products, which are usually associated with anti-ageing, but work excellently for breakout-prone skin too.

If the problem persists, consult your GP

If a good skincare regime is not giving you the results that you want, a visit to your GP is always a good idea.

Your GP can prescribe you a variety of treatments such as antibiotic creams and tablets which help with the more stubborn acne.  For example, the oral contraceptive pill is sometimes all a woman requires to get her acne under control.

If all else fails, your GP can refer you to a consultant dermatologist who can prescribe more potent products such as isotretinoin. Laser can also be prescribed to help reduce acne scars.

Help and support is available

It is important to seek help for your acne and never suffer in silence. There are so many treatments available nowadays. Treating your acne will result in clearer skin and a more confident you. Just ask for help.

(1) Global acne market report for 2016-2026, Dec 2011

The post Acne – one of the most common skin disorders appeared first on Health News.

Atopic dermatitis is considered a severe form of eczema. It is a chronic, long-lasting skin condition that causes the skin to become inflamed and irritated, making it extremely itchy.

Atopic means a sensitivity to allergens. It can run in families and often develops alongside other conditions like asthma and hay fever.

Atopic dermatitis occurs when a substance from outside or inside the body triggers the immune system to overreact, causing inflammation. It is this inflammation that causes the skin to become red and itchy. Scratching inflamed skin can lead to redness, swelling, cracking, scaling, weeping and crusting.

Why do we get atopic dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis is considered a genetic condition, meaning that some people may be born with an increased likelihood of developing it. Research has shown that children with one parent with this condition can have a 50% chance of developing it. That figure can increase to 85%, if both parents are affected.

Sometimes, when your skin comes into contact with a substance in the environment that you are allergic to, it may react by starting to itch and become red. This is called contact dermatitis.

Research shows that some people with eczema, especially atopic dermatitis, have a mutation of the gene responsible for creating a natural protein called filaggrin. Filaggrin is found in our bodies and helps maintain a healthy, protective barrier on the very top layer of our skin.

Without enough filaggrin to build a strong skin barrier, moisture can escape from the skin and bacteria, viruses and more can enter. That is why babies, children and adults with atopic-prone skin can have skin that is more vulnerable to infection.

Flare ups in atopic-prone skin

In some cases, the condition fluctuates between very severe, commonly known as flare ups, and times when the condition improves, known as remission.

Some people only have small patches of dry skin, while others can experience widespread inflamed skin all over their body.

Babies will have dry, scaly, and itchy patches on their skin: most commonly scalp, forehead and face, especially the cheeks.

Children aged two and up will often have a rash and scaly, itchy patches: most commonly in the creases of the elbows or knees, neck, wrists, ankles, and the creases between the buttocks and legs.

In adults, it most often affects the hands, feet, face or scalp.

The post Atopic dermatitis: who suffers and why? appeared first on Health News.