Eczema keeps spreading why

It is not recommended to undertake food elimination diets, withhold foods, or entire food groups, for long periods of time without consulting your doctor or your allergist to confirm that there is in fact an allergy to that food. If you suspect an allergy to a certain food, you should consult your allergist.

Some people always seem to have some active areas. There are no definite cures for eczema although patients can achieve excellent control and live quite comfortably. When one member of the family suffers with eczema, the whole family suffers.

Rigorous moisturizing and skin care treatment regimens, constant monitoring of the condition, lifestyle changes in an effort to avoid triggers, and sleepless nights can greatly impact the quality of life for all members of the family. Some complications of eczema include skin infections, eczema herpticum, neurodermatitis, and eye complications.

Scratching that is associated with eczema can break the skin causing open sores which can then become infected. This can cause mild or more serious infections. See a physician if there is swelling, pain, crusting, or oozing of the eczema. Skin that becomes inflected with the herpes simplex virus the virus that causes cold sores is called eczema herpeticum. The symptoms may include painful pus or fluid filled blisters or sores, which may be accompanied by fever, tiredness, and swollen glands.

Prompt treatment is very important, as the infection can spread to the eyes or internal organs, causing serious problems. Caution should be taken around anyone with a cold sore; kissing and skin-to-skin contact should be avoided. Sometimes, with infants and small children, contact with the herpes simplex virus can be fatal. See a doctor immediately if there are concerns. One common cause of eczema is allergies. The subsequent rashes can develop in response to certain allergens, including pollen, pet dander, and foods.

Another possible cause of eczema is physical contact with chemicals, fabrics, and dyes to which you may be allergic. The resulting skin rash is called contact dermatitis. Possible culprits include:. You may be especially at risk if a parent or other relative has a history of allergies and related eczema symptoms. Eczema is treated based on your underlying triggers.

A doctor may recommend one or a combination of the following:. Depending on the cause of your eczema flare-up, you may need to take oral allergy medications, topical corticosteroid creams , or both. While steroid creams you apply to your skin are intended for short-term use, you may need to use allergy medicines you take by mouth year-round to help prevent associated symptoms. Another option is immunosuppressant drugs, which slow down immune responses in the case of severe eczema.

Over-the-counter OTC antihistamines may help reduce incidence of eczema. Additionally, these medications maybe help prevent the urge to scratch rashes, especially in children.

Your doctor will increase your dosage slowly over the course of several months. The idea here is to help build immunity to your allergen triggers so that you experience fewer flare-ups overall. Aside from moisturizing your skin, some natural treatments may help heal your skin. Oatmeal baths are one type of natural treatment that can soothe the itchiness and discomfort of eczema rashes. Be sure to use lukewarm water and follow up with a moisturizer immediately after. However, more research is needed to support this approach in eczema treatment.

Once treated, it can take several weeks for rashes to clear up. While eczema can sometimes develop during adulthood, the onset is more common in children. Research suggests that many people are diagnosed with eczema and asthma. Both conditions are linked to chronic inflammation. The risks of unsupervised ultraviolet radiation therapy can be the same as for sunbathing — faster ageing of the skin and greater risk of skin cancer.

Most people affected by eczema can manage the condition with creams and ointments alone. While oral medication can help people whose eczema is resistant to treatment, their side effects can include high blood pressure, increased susceptibility to all types of infections, and mood and behavioural changes.

Because of these risks, and the need for close and regular monitoring, oral anti-inflammatory treatment is only considered in severe cases of eczema that are difficult to control with other therapies. New treatments are currently being developed for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. One group is called biologic therapy. Dupilumab is the first of these biologic therapies to be approved by the Commonwealth Government Therapeutics Goods Administration TGA and is undergoing clinical trials in Australia and overseas for the management of severe eczema.

This treatment is generally administered by an injection into the fat tissue once a fortnight. Other biologics being investigated in clinical trials include Tralukinumab and Lebrikizumab.

JAK inhibitors are tablets taken once or twice daily. Agents under investigation include Baricitinib, Udapicitinib and Abroocitinib. There is growing evidence that allergens introduced into the body through the skin can lead to the later development of food allergy, asthma and hay fever. Aggressively treating eczema in children and taking steps to restore normal skin barrier function may lower the risk of future development of these conditions.

An intact skin surface is our best defence against skin infections. This is why a person with eczema is prone to bacterial and viral infections, including:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.

Acne is common and can make people of all ages feel embarrassed, but treatments can help if acne is causing distress. For unexpected after-hours medical issues, there are telephone helplines, pharmacies, after-hours medical clinics or doctors who can visit you at home.

Severe allergic reactions anaphylaxis and asthma attacks need urgent emergency first aid. In an emergency, always call triple zero Allergy occurs when the body overreacts to a 'trigger' that is harmless to most people. Allergies to insect stings and bites range from milder allergic reactions to life-threatening, severe allergic reactions anaphylaxis. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.

The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Home Skin. Eczema atopic dermatitis. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. About eczema Causes of eczema Symptoms of eczema Managing eczema Treatments for eczema Emerging treatment Importance of eczema treatment Complications of eczema Where to get help.

About eczema Atopic dermatitis commonly known as eczema is an inherited, chronic inflammatory skin condition that usually appears in early childhood. Triggers of eczema Some things make eczema more likely to appear. These include: contact with irritants in the environment heat, which can aggravate the itch and make affected people more likely to scratch allergic reaction to particular foods — this is rare. Food allergy appears as redness and swelling around the lips within minutes of eating the offending food.

Symptoms of eczema The physical effects of eczema can include: skin dryness red and scaly areas on the front of the elbows and the back of the knees watery fluid weeping from affected skin itchiness lesions sores that may become infected by bacteria or viruses. Managing eczema Most people with eczema find that their symptoms are made worse by common aspects of daily living, such as hot weather, frequent showering, soap, ducted central heating and overheating in bed at night.

Eczema coping tips — good hygiene Skin affected by eczema is more vulnerable to a range of infections, including impetigo, cold sores and warts.

Suggestions for washing include: Take lukewarm baths or showers, and avoid really hot showers. Wash your body with warm water alone. For armpits and groin, use soap-free products, such as sorbolene cream.

Bath oils can help to moisturise your skin while bathing. When towelling dry, pat rather than rub your skin. Eczema coping tips — reducing skin irritation People with eczema have sensitive skin.

Suggestions for reducing skin irritation include: Avoid overheating your skin. Wear several layers of clothing that you can remove, as required, instead of one heavy layer. Avoid scratchy materials, such as pure wool, polyester or acrylic. You could try a cotton and synthetic mix material — this is fine for some people with eczema.