Getting to know dry eczema and easy care at home

Dry diseases of eczema generally cause dry skin, itching and red rash in the skin caused by inflammation of the skin. Although often found in children, dry eczema can also be experienced by adults. This disease can be solved with oral medications, steroid creams, and ray therapy.

Eczema is a general term for health conditions in which an inflammatory reaction occurs in the skin characterized by itching, red rash, dry skin, lenting, watery, hardening, thickening and discoloration (pigmentation) of skin in some parts of the body Like the face, elbow, and behind the knee. In Indonesia, there is a term of dry eczema and wet eczema, the term dry eczema itself actually refers to the disease atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis.

The skin is the outermost organ protecting us from bacteria or other harmful agents, and is filled with specific cells of the immune system. This cell is responsible for protecting the skin and body of viruses, bacteria, and other threats. When these cells detect harmful substances, the skin will cause reactions that trigger inflammation. Well, the medical term for this condition is dermatitis. There are many types of dermatitis, and the way of handling is also different according to the trigger factor and type.

In addition to dry eczema or atopic dermatitis, other types of dermatitis are, contact dermatitis, dishidrosis dermatitis (pompholyx), numularis dermatitis, Seborrhoan dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis.

Generally, eczema is not contagious. The cause until now is uncertain, but may be due to genetic and environmental factors. Also mentioned, the cause of eczema has a close connection with the immune system response that is too active against irritant or allergens. This response leads to the emergence of eczema symptoms. In addition, dry eczema is commonly found in families with an allergic or asthma history, as well as defects in the skin barrier that causes the germs to easily enter. Dry eczema can improve or even get worse over time, this is usually a long-term skin disease. Eczema sufferers generally also suffer from fever and asthma. Meanwhile, the type of dry eczema or atopic dermatitis usually occurs in infants and children, but adults can also experience it.

Symptoms of dry Eczema you need to know

Atopic Dermatitis or dried eczema is often found in children under the age of 5 years and can continue until the age of adolescence to adulthood. The signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis or dry eczema vary greatly from person to person, including:

Itching, which can be severe especially at night.

Redness of the skin can be accompanied by tanned grey spots, especially in the hands, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, upper chest, eyelids, inside the elbow and knee, face, and scalp.

Skin thickened, chapped, dry, scaly.

Skin blister.

Skin swelling and pain due to scratching.

Factors that exacerbate dry eczema or atopic Dermatitis

Most people with atopic dermatitis also have Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in their skin. The bacteria breed rapidly when the skin barrier breaks and secretes the skin. Factors that can exacerbate signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis include:

Dry skin.
Scratches or scratching the skin that can cause wounds and infections.
Mites.
Dust and pollen.
Bacteria and viruses.
Sweat.
Heat and humidity changes.
Solvents, cleaners, soaps and detergents.
Wool clothes or blankets.
Tobacco smoke and air pollution.
Eggs, milk, peanuts, soybeans, fish and wheat.
Handling Dry Eczema You can do at home

To help reduce itching and relieve inflammation of the skin, you can try the following steps:

Use a skin moisturiser every finished bath, dab on the hands, legs, arms, back, and some other sides of the body.

Compress the infected areas of dry eczema with cold and wet water.

Wear finely textured cotton clothing to avoid irritation and excessive sweating.

Relaxation to relieve stress, because of stress and anxiety can exacerbate symptoms.

Avoid scratching and factors that can exacerbate symptoms such as food, soaps, wool fabrics, and certain lotions. Cover the area that is itching so you don't easily scratch it. And cut your nails and wear gloves at night.

If the treatment has not been able to relieve the symptoms of dry eczema, or even a more severe skin infection with pain, pus arising, or if the complaint is felt to affect the vision, you are advised immediately to the dermatologist to Get more intensive handling. In case of thickening of skin cells and in colour, you need to be wary of psoriasis disease.

For the mild atopic dermatitis, it can generally be handled sufficiently by keeping the skin moist and avoiding the trigger. While for heavier circumstances, it may be necessary to use medicines from dermatologists, such as:

Allergic or antihistamine drugs such as Cetirizine, chlorpheniramine picture (CTM), or diphenhydramine. This medication may cause drowsiness, so you are advised to rest after taking this medication. The sedative effect caused by antihistamine drugs helps prevent scratching during sleep.

Anti-itching and anti-inflammatory cream in areas infected with dry eczema, its use is recommended before using moisturizers, so as not to reduce its effectiveness.

Antibiotics, when a secondary infection is found accompanying this condition.

With proper handling, complaints in dry eczema can be handled. But to be understood, although generally complaints will be reduced in the age of adulthood, this condition can not heal in total. Thus maintaining a clean and healthy lifestyle, good skin care, as well as far from stress, will greatly help prevent relapse.