Can Eczema Flare-Up Anywhere on My Body?
Eczema is the general term of a number of skin conditions. Doctors believe that the condition is passed on genetically and results from a disorder of the immune system. This disorder results in the overreaction of the system when it encounters certain triggers in the environment.
Eczema can affect all parts of the body. However, some body parts are more commonly affected by eczema. The disease makes a part of the skin to turn red, flaky, and possibly develop lumps. These lumps are filled with fluid and may break, releasing the fluids. Eczema also makes the skin very itchy and scratching can make the condition even worse.
The affected areas will also have dry and sensitive skin. Swelling may also be seen in the affected sections of the skin. A patient may also have rashes.
Parts of the Body Commonly Affected by Eczema
The parts of the body that are commonly affected by eczema usually depend on the patient's age. In children with eczema, the commonly affected areas may vary as well as in adults. In babies and children, the disease usually attacks parts of the head such as the face, cheeks, and scalp. Scientists contend that the condition reflects the parts of the body where the child is able to easily scratch. In adults, the disease will most often attack the knees and elbows, which similarly reflect the parts of the body where the adult can easily scratch.
The following body parts can also be affected by eczema in babies and children:
- Stomach
- Arms
- Cheeks
- Chin
- Elbows
- Knees
- Hands
- Feet
In adults, the disease will most often affect the following areas in the body:
- Elbow
- Knees
- Neck
- Wrists
- Hands
- Eyelids
Scratching Can Increase the Spread of the Disease to Other Body Parts
The lists above only present the parts of the body that are most commonly affected by eczema. In reality, all parts of the body can be affected by the disease. Eczema can cause the development of fluid-filled lumps, which can also be very itchy. However, you are not supposed to scratch them. If you do, you can easily pass the infection to other parts of your skin and further increase your skin problem.
Controlling the Disease
To prevent the condition from spreading in other parts your body, you will need to control it. There are many treatment options available for the condition.
One option is the use of skin moisturizers. Sometimes, the condition happens due to a malfunction in the skin barrier that leads to the loss of skin moisture, letting the germs in. The use of skin moisturizers helps to control this.
Alternatively, you can use medications. These medications could be prescribed or purchased over-the-counter. It is advisable that you use prescribed drugs to treat the condition as opposed to OTC drugs.
Another commonly used treatment is sunlight. Unlike other treatment options, this option has no cost if you choose to use natural sunlight. However, it is ideally done under medical supervision. The reason is that too much sun exposure can damage your skin as you are already suffering from a skin disease.
For extreme cases of eczema, you can instead use medical UV rays, which are administered in chambers, where the patient is made to stay naked as the UV rays from fluorescent tubes hit the body.
Choosing one of these options will help prevent the spread of the condition to other parts of your body.
Dealing with Eczema Flares
Eczema is a condition of the skin that erupts in the different parts of the body. As true as the phrase, "Prevention is better than cure" holds, once you have acquired the condition, dealing with it becomes the prime matter of concern. Sometimes, it is the little things in life that help us overcome an ailment. To begin with, you can prevent the flares from doubling up by avoiding friction or rough contact with the area. Try not to scratch or rub the patch of skin in and around the lesions. Avoid wearing clothes that prevent your skin from breathing. Instead, choose light and skin-friendly materials. Observe your cosmetic products and toiletries for a while. If you have recently switched to a new brand or is allergic to a particular skin care product or lotion, identify them and remove them from your cupboard immediately. This method rules out the first cause of most skin irritations.
Eczema is a relatively chronic skin condition that stays for a while until the visible symptoms subside. You may experience flare-ups at different points in time, but it takes a while to leave the body completely. Proper treatment using prescribed medications can help in curbing the ailment. Overall, a good approach to hygiene, skin care routine and a healthy diet can keep eczema at bay.
One of the other factors to pay heed to is being watchful of the relapse or eruption of your eczema symptoms. If you notice any irregular skin lesions, flakiness, or extreme itchiness, report it to your doctor immediately. Since eczema is a condition of the skin, it should not be mistaken for something else. Do not apply topical lotions, ointments, or creams based on your experience or knowledge. Sometimes, a skin issue could be indicative of an underlying health problem. Let the doctor investigate into the details and offer a particular treatment according to the diagnosis.
Eczema could flare-up anywhere in the body as the infection spreads. Precautions must be taken to prevent scratching the area and avoiding contact with other parts of the skin. To avoid such complication, make it a habit of washing your hands regularly with a good soap. Moreover, wash your clothes with a good disinfectant after one wear. Do not pile up and carry forward your clothes or share dresses and towels to avoid passing on the infection to other people. Following these basic practices along with regular medication can lower the chances of eczema flare-ups in other regions of the body.
Hence, once you feel that you have this condition, medical attention is required to have a proper diagnosis.
