Eczema from dry skin
introduction
Dry skin can often be a sign of chronic eczema. Eczema is generally an inflammatory, non-contagious skin disease. While acute eczema is usually associated with reddening, blistering and itching, chronic eczema usually manifests itself primarily through dry skin.
Read more on the topic: Rash from dry skin
causes
The causes of dry skin and eczema are diverse. Contact allergies or toxic stimuli, for example in the work environment, can be the trigger.
Chronic diseases, especially neurodermatitis, are also expressed in dry skin and eczema. Neurodermatitis is also known as atopic eczema. In this case, external influences can also make the symptoms worse, but the disease itself is based on a genetic predisposition.
With allergies, dry eczema often occurs after consuming certain foods. Dry eczema can also develop when the skin is exposed to strong external influences in the form of cold or heat. Chlorinated water in swimming pools, for example, is also a strong irritant. Especially when the external irritation is not adequately counteracted with skin care.
When in doubt, systemic diseases such as Diabetes mellitus or an underactive thyroid can be excluded. Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals can also have negative effects on the skin. There are also some drugs that can disrupt the skin's protective barrier. E.g. Cortisone, which is used against skin diseases, can even disturb the complexion.
Read more on the topic: Causes of Dry Skin
Seborrheic eczema
Seborrheic eczema is a chronic skin disease that mainly shows up on the hairy head, behind the ears and on the front and back sweat troughs.
Coin-sized, reddish skin changes that are accompanied by yellowish-greasy flaking and itchy are typical.
The complexion is rather dry. It does not arise because the skin is dry, but mainly has other causes. Factors such as immunodeficiency, Parkinson's disease, and male pattern baldness seem to favor seborrheic dermatitis. However, why this is so is not entirely clear at this point in time.
Read more on the topic: Seborrheic eczema
Eczema on the face
Eczema on the face is not caused by dry skin; rather, dry skin is a component of the eczema disease. There are many causes of facial eczema associated with dry skin. A very common clinical picture that manifests itself here is atopic eczema, also called neurodermatitis. Dry facial skin and eczema are very common in this case. Seborrheic eczema is also often associated with dry skin and eczema on the face. Furthermore, so-called perioral dermatitis is associated with a strong feeling of tension in the facial skin, eczema and a feeling of very dry skin. This disease occurs due to intensive care of the facial skin with cosmetics, cosmetic care products and cortisone creams.
But allergic rashes can also often appear on the particularly sensitive skin of the face. Last but not least, irritation from external influences can simply dry out the skin of the face.
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Eczema on the hands
Some eczema diseases primarily affect the hands. This is very stressful for those affected, as it often limits their everyday life. It is also very difficult to protect the hands in everyday life. Again, it is not the dry skin that triggers the eczema, but rather a component or symptom of the eczema. This can have different causes, such as atopic dermatitis or allergic / toxic contact eczema.
Read more on the topic: Eczema on the hands
Eczema in the baby and child
A common cause of dry skin in babies and children as well as eczema on the face are allergies or a genetic tendency to neurodermatitis.
Neurodermatitis usually does not appear until the third month. In industrialized countries, allergies are on the rise overall, which is why more and more children are suffering from skin rashes.
In addition, children react to stress factors or general development spurts with skin reactions, especially if they are appropriately predisposed.
Good basic care is also essential for children, regardless of the cause. This can significantly improve the complexion of the skin and often prevent relapses of neurodermatitis. In addition, it is very important to use the mildest possible bath additives, especially with small children. Excessive hygiene can also lead to dry skin and eczema.
With children in particular, the causes should always be clarified before attempting to treat them on your own. With adequate care, dry eczema often resolves itself quickly and should not be a cause for greater concern.
If the itching is severe, you should prevent the child from scratching the affected areas. For this purpose, e.g. Gloves or wraps are used to wrap the fingernails. If the itching is too severe, light cortisone preparations or antihistamines can be used as local ointments, depending on the age of the child.
In addition, an allergy test should always be carried out, as many causes, such as an allergy to house dust mites or animal hair, can be combated relatively well. Exclusive breastfeeding in the first 4 months of life is also considered a prophylactic measure. Even if there is a general burden in the family and the child shows symptoms of neurodermatitis, the disease can develop completely as it gets older.
Read more on this topic at: Dry skin in the baby and eczema in the baby
therapy
The therapy naturally differs depending on the cause of the dry skin and the eczema. With all diseases it is important to take good basic care of the skin. You should seek advice from a dermatologist, since care with the wrong ingredients can exacerbate the problem.
A good basis is e.g. the DAC base care, or lipolotions that are not too greasy. Depending on the symptoms, creams with cortisone or anti-inflammatory agents may be necessary. It is always important to ensure that no substances that dry out strongly are used in body care.
For contact eczema, the best treatment is to avoid contact with the irritant. Often the eczema regresses on its own due to dry skin.
With allergic components and to calm the itching, antihistamines, such as B. Cetirizine be taken.
If the skin problem could be related to the use of medication, these should be discontinued if possible. In the case of underlying internal diseases, such as diabetes or thyroid disorders, the underlying diseases should be treated. Drinking enough water can also help reduce symptoms. Likewise, alcohol should be consumed as little as possible and nicotine should be stopped.
Read more on the topic: Dry skin therapy
Frequencies
The risk dry skin or a eczema Developing, of course, also depends on the personal Living conditions from. In certain professions, for example in Hairdressing or in medical area, the risk is increased through contact with irritating substances. The risk at Neurodermatitis getting sick, on the other hand, depends on genes. The risk of a child suffering from atopic dermatitis is around 30% if one of the parents is affected. Are both parents affected even about 60%.
Symptoms
Dry skin with a eczema, is often expressed primarily through a Feeling of tension in the area of the affected skin. Often there are also itching and to varying degrees, Redness or Scaling. Especially with the Neurodermatitis can through Scratch slightly in the affected area bleeding wounds arise. An experienced doctor can usually determine which cause is most likely based on the affected body areas and the exact pattern of the eczema.
itching
Itching is a very distressing and common symptom of many skin disorders. Dry skin in particular, which is a component of many eczema diseases, is prone to itching. However, why dry, eczematous skin itches exactly is the subject of current research.
The development of the itching is very complex and not yet understood in detail. It is known that a number of metabolic products and messenger substances in the body are partly responsible for itching. This includes the substance histamine, but leukotrienes, substance P, prostaglandins, interleukins and serotonin also play an important role in the development of itching. These substances are also increasingly released in dry skin and in eczema diseases and thus promote itching.
The primary aim of the treatment is to nourish the skin intensively so that it is no longer dry. This greatly alleviates the itching. There are also drugs that relieve itching, such as antihistamines, which also improve the symptoms.
diagnosis
The actual dry skin as well as the eczema are a visual diagnosis. Usually a very typical pattern emerges, depending on the cause of the disease.
Contact eczema is more likely to be found in the hands, while neurodermatitis e.g. attacks the elbows. Of course, you should always exclude internal diseases. Diagnostics for other comorbidities should also be carried out. Eczema is often associated with other allergies or asthma.
