Skincare Treated

Eczema, Its Triggers and Symptoms

Eczema is a skin condition that is linked to the immune system and a barrier defect in the skin. It flares up under certain circumstances. This is why it is important to study Eczema, its triggers and symptoms.

Classic Symptoms

Eczema is characterized by some typical symptoms such as excessively dry and scaly skin, inflammation, flare-ups and itchiness.

Dry skin is the most obvious and most common feature of eczema, its triggers and symptoms. Areas that are commonly affected are the face, hands, scalp, lips, legs, shins and back.

The dryness and scaly skin results from inadequate waterproofing of the outermost layer of the skin. This layer allows too much moisture to evaporate, causing the skin to dry up, crack, blister and form scales and plaques.

This occurs in fairly large patches and sometimes, it is so pronounced that the natural lines of the skin develop into deep fissures.

How Widespread Is It?

When trying to understand eczema, its triggers and symptoms, remember that this disease affects 10 to 20 per cent of people across the world.

Sometimes, the skin is so sensitive that it turns dry and scaly as soon as the seasons change and the humidity drops. This acts as a trigger and the condition is called xerotic eczema.

Another classic symptom of eczema is inflammation of the skin. This involves the white cells in the blood that are a part of the immune system.

Inflamed skin turns red and itchy. This usually appears in patches as the upper layer of the dermis and the epidermis swell.

As a result, red bumps begin to erupt with fluid in them. After they burst, the skin dries up, flakes and joins up to form thick, scaly patches.

Bacterial Infection

Secondary infection must be understood while studying eczema, its triggers and symptoms. Dry, cracked, peeling and itchy skin is an open invitation to bacteria, usually the staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

These bacteria embed themselves in the skin and begin to multiply, causing the skin to flare up with infection. This is called secondary infection as it is an indirect result of eczema.

Types of Triggers

The skin of an eczema patient is very susceptible to chemicals and other substances, both natural and synthetic. These act as triggers and cause the skin to erupt and itch uncontrollably.

The triggers are many and unfortunately include a wide range of substances like airborne allergens, several foods, stress, sweat, fabric and jewellery. Abrupt weather changes too act as triggers.

When understanding eczema, its triggers and symptoms, it is important to understand its content. This skin disease is one of a triad of diseases which also includes asthma and hay fever. All these conditions are linked to the immune system.