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Patients & Consumers Featured Resources Diseases 101 Drug Guide Find an Allergist / Immunologist Pollen Counts En Español Just for Kids Publications for Patients Referral Guidelines Request a Speaker Research for Patients Search by Condition (A-Z) Seniors Useful Links Contact Us Donate Now Request a Speaker Smoke Free Homes Referral Guidelines Other Resources En Español Just for Kids Seniors Allergy & Asthma Issues Educational Brochures Elements of Allergy and Asthma Order Public Education Materials		Allergy & Asthma Advocate: Winter 2007 Eczema: The Need for Adequate Treatment By Anne Munoz-Furlong, Founder and CEO of Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) Eczema is an itchy, non-contagious, skin rash caused by a number of irritants. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common form of eczema which typically begins in early infancy, it is caused by inflammation of the skin and the skin’s inability to retain adequate moisture. It is estimated that as much as 20% or 1 in 5 American children have AD. The disease is characterized by extreme itching and a recurrent rash that often weeps and crusts. Left untreated, it can become a scaly rash. The distribution of the rash usually varies with the age of the patient. For infants, the rash often appears on the cheeks, forehead, or scalp. In children it is often found at the bend of the elbow joint, behind the knees, and behind the ears. Adolescents and young adults typically have the rash in the same location as children, as well as on the hands and feet. Eczema can be caused by an allergy. The tendency to develop allergy is inherited. Children are 25% more likely to develop some form of allergy, including eczema, if one parent has allergies. The likelihood increases to 50% if both parents have allergies. Infants with eczema are at greater risk for having a food allergy (such as milk, eggs, and peanuts) as opposed to children without eczema. These children are also at a higher risk of developing asthma and allergic rhinitis. Finally, studies have shown that exposure to environmental allergens such as pets, dust mites, and pollen increases the risk factors for AD. Continued exposure to these allergens can increase the severity of the symptoms. Treatment Eczema can be controlled with consistent skin-hydrating treatment and avoidance of triggers such as stress, allergens, and irritants (i.e., wool, dry skin, low humidity, heat, sweating, or skin infections) that cause the rash to flare. Medications are used to control symptoms and infections. Antihistamines are often used to treat the itching, and topical corticosteroids help prevent skin inflammation. Antibiotics are sometimes used to treat skin infections. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications may also be prescribed. Why Treatment Is So Important Left untreated, eczema may cause significant problems. The intense itching and uncontrollable scratching may interrupt sleep. At times, the itching can be so overwhelming, that children will scratch until they bleed. The scratching can also lead to skin infection, a scaly rash, and cause permanent changes to the skin, making thick, leathery patches. Adequate treatment for eczema can prevent or relieve the physical symptoms. More importantly, perhaps, proper treatment relieves the emotional and social challenges patients face. Children with eczema are sometimes ignored, avoided, or singled out by others who believe the rash is contagious. These experiences can lead to lowered self-esteem and sense of self-worth, which can have long-term impact. Research has shown that individuals with eczema who are educated about avoiding triggers and proper treatment experienced less scratching and improved quality of life from following their avoidance and treatment plan. Seven steps to managing eczema or atopic dermatitis: Identify and avoid triggers Follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment in order to prevent an outbreak Soak in a bath with products such as Aveeno® or Domeboro® to help relieve burning and itching Keep the skin hydrated with ointments such as Aquaphor®, Vaseline®, or Vanicream®, especially after bathing Avoid lotions (which usually contain alcohol that can dry out the skin), perfumed detergents, soaps, and powders, as well as bubble baths Recognize when a rash has become infected and quickly use medicines provided by your doctor Seek education and support from AD patient education organizations, such as: The National Eczema Association for Science and Education (800) 818-7546 www.nationaleczema.org The Inflammatory Skin Disease Institute (757) 223-0795 www.isdionline.org The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (800) 929-4040 www.foodallergy.org References Akdis, CA, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis in children and adults: European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology/American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology/ PRACTALL Consensus Report. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2006; 118: 152-69. Bock, SA, Furlong A. Food Allergy and Atopic Dermatitis. The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. 1996 Sampson, HA. “Eczema and Food Hypersensitivity.” Food Allergy: Adverse Reactions to Food and Food Additives, Third Edition by: Dean Metcalfe, Hugh Sampson, and Ronald Simon. ISBN: 0632046015, Pub Date US 16/06/2003. <back>
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