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Understanding eczema and what you can do about it
Introduction
INTRODUCTION
Eczema can be very different for everyone who has it. Yet, no matter how
severe your eczema, everyone deals with the same basic symptoms: dry
skin, sore rashes, and intense itch. It can be frustrating and uncomfortable
trying to manage eczema and keep eczema flare-ups under control. At its
most severe, eczema can cause serious health problems, profoundly affect
quality of life, and interfere with normal, everyday activities.
The first step, if you think you have eczema or if your current treatment does
not seem to be helping, is to see your family doctor. A correct diagnosis and
the proper treatment are very important. If a referral to a dermatologist is
necessary, your family physician will help you get one.
1
Contents
CONTENTS
What is eczema?......................................................... 4
The itch-scratch-rash cycle........................................... 4
Eczema and your skin................................................... 5
Eczema and the immune system.................................. 5
How is eczema diagnosed?.......................................... 6
Eczema flare-ups......................................................... 7
Myths and facts about eczema..................................... 8
What triggers your eczema?......................................... 10
CONTENTS
Antibiotics...................................................................... 24
Antihistamines............................................................... 24
Coal tar preparations..................................................... 25
Phototherapy................................................................. 25
Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors........................................ 26
Topical Steroids............................................................. 26
Treatment progress chart.............................................. 28
33
What is eczema?
W H AT I S E C Z E M A ?
Although we often associate eczema with only one type of skin condition,
it really describes a whole group that can affect anyone, at any age.
In addition, the defective skin barrier allows for increased interaction with
environmental factors such as soap and detergent, house dust mites, hard
water, infection and some topical medications and cosmetic products. This
can result in a worsening of eczema symptoms, and a further breakdown of
the skin barrier.
1. T
he Chronicle of Skin & Allergy, February 2010
4 2. Cork MJ, The importance of the skin barrier function. Journal of Dermatological Treatment 1997; Vol. 8, S7-S13
Eczema and your skin
W H AT I S E C Z E M A ?
Your skin is quite amazing. Its the largest organ of
your body; flexible, relatively waterproof, keeps you
warm or cool by regulating body temperature, and
protects you from tiny organisms and infections.
Some researchers believe that people who have eczema also have a
reduced threshold for the itch sensation. So once your skin gets itchy, its
very hard to resist the urge to scratch.
5
W H AT I S E C Z E M A ?
eczema therapy. TCIs appear to prevent the release of the inflammatory
substances that cause the red, itchy skin associated with eczema. This
treatment works to calm and control the skins reaction. In 2010 Health
Canada approved one of the available TCIs for maintenance therapy. Talk
with your doctor; he or she has the most up-to-date information about
eczema treatments.
You have a rash in the folds of your elbows, behind your knees, on
the front of your ankles, on your hands, wrists, or neck.
The signs and symptoms of eczema vary from person to person and can
range from mild where skin is dry, hot and itchy to its most severe,
when the skin becomes broken, raw and bleeding.
6
Eczema flare-ups
W H AT I S E C Z E M A ?
By nature, eczema symptoms can come
and go. At times, symptoms can be
more severe or the rash and itching can
completely disappear for long periods at a
time. However, when symptoms suddenly
reappear or become worse, its called a
flare-up.
The chart found on pages 10 and 11 can help you identify irritants that may
trigger your eczema and cause flare-ups.
7
Myths and facts about eczema
W H AT I S E C Z E M A ?
Here are a few common myths about eczema and the truth about
each one.
Myth: You can catch eczema from someone who has the disease.
Fact: No.
Eczema is absolutely not contagious. This means that you cant catch
the disease from another person and you cant give it to someone by
touching him or her.
8
W H AT I S E C Z E M A ?
Myth: You cant go swimming if you have
eczema.
Fact: Most people with eczema can go
swimming.
However, some people who have severe
eczema find that the chemicals used in
swimming pools or the salt in sea water
makes their eczema worse, so they choose
not to go in. Make sure that before and after
you go swimming, you rinse your skin and put
on a moisturizer.
9
What triggers your eczema?
W H AT I S E C Z E M A ?
Stress
Anger
Frustration
Anxiety
Hot weather
Cold weather
Humidity
Dry weather
Sun
Sweat
Wool
Synthetic fibers
Latex
Rubber
Plastic
Hot baths
Hard water
Chlorinated water
Salt water (oceans,
mineral spas)
10
W H AT I S E C Z E M A ?
Triggering factor Yes/No Eczema symptoms
Eggs
Milk
Wheat
Soy
Seafood
Nuts
Food additives
Citrus fruits
Strawberries
Soaps
Detergents
Lotions, creams
Perfumes
Makeup
Hair shampoos
Styling aids
Conditioners
Other:
11
Managing Childhood Eczema
M ana g in g C hi l dhood E czema
The pain and constant itch of eczema can distress children and disturb their
sleep. It can interfere with school, cause low self-esteem, and make them
feel self-conscious about their appearance. Some children even avoid social
situations because of it.
You can help your child cope with their condition by helping them
understand the importance of a daily routine to keep their eczema under
control. Smaller children and toddlers will also benefit from good skin care
practices and the right treatment.
The only effective way to stop a childs scratching is to stop the itch. You
can help by applying a moisturizer or by covering the affected area with a
cool, damp towel. Medications applied to the skin, such as topical steroids,
can also help to control inflammation, while newer therapies such as Topical
Calcineurin Inhibitors (TCIs) are effective in relieving the itch. Ask your
doctor about the most appropriate treatment option for your child.
12
M ana g in g C hi l dhood E czema
Moisturizers
Bathing
Frequent bathing is essential. Make sure the water is warm, not hot. After
the bath, pat your childs skin dry, then immediately apply a moisturizer to
seal in water.
Although there are conflicting opinions regarding the amount of time a child
should remain in the bath, a good rule of thumb seems to be about 5 to 10
minutes daily, before bed time. Always moisturize immediately after bathing.
Keep the skin moist. Keep skin well-moisturized, even when a rash is
not present. This will help prevent the skin from flaring.
Use 100% cotton clothes and bedding. Avoid nylon and wool. Wash
clothes and bedding in a mild detergent, avoid bleach and fabric
softeners, and rinse clothes twice.
Pets. Avoid pets contact with fur and feathers can irritate the skin.
Animal dander can also produce an allergic reaction in some sufferers.
Dander, or the proteins in skin flakes, hair and saliva, are very small
particles that can be carried through the air. All pets shed some amount of
dander, even pets that are considered to be hypoallergenic. However, a
hypoallergenic pet (for example, dog breeds such as Poodles or Yorkshire
Terriers) may cause less of an allergic reaction in sufferers. If your child
has their heart set on a pet, consider animals that do not normally
produce an allergic reaction, such as turtles, lizards or aquarium fish.
13
M ana g in g C hi l dhood E czema
Keep fingernails short and clean. If necessary, use cotton gloves or
mittens at night to prevent scratching during sleep.
Diet. Changes to diet may be effective for some children if food has been
identified as a trigger factor. Only do this with advice from your doctor or
a dietitian.
Involve your child. Its important for your child to feel involved in their
own skincare. It helps them achieve a sense of control over their disease
and helps them feel good that they can do something about the awful
itch.
14
M ana g in g C hi l dhood E czema
Tips for managing eczema at school
Ask that your child be seated away from heat sources, like sunny
windows, air vents, or radiators.
Children may feel embarrassed at exposing their skin. Help your child
deal with the possibility of hurtful comments and if possible, help educate
other classmates about eczema. Be sure to stress that eczema is not
contagious.
Over-tired. The discomfort and itch of eczema can mean that your child
is restless and unable to sleep at night. Your child may be irritable or tired
at school. Work with teachers and administrators to find a solution that
everyone can live with.
School activities. Some school activities that involve paste, paint, clay,
food preparation, wood or metal shop may cause an eczema flare-up. It
is best to talk to your child about what things they can do and what things
they cannot do. Offer alternatives so that they wont feel left out.
Food. Some foods may make your childs eczema worse. Inform the
school of any food triggers and make sure your child understands which
foods they should stay away from.
Its hard for children not to scratch, but it is equally important that you
inform your childs teachers of this, and ask that they quietly remind the
child not to scratch if they notice it during class. Let the teachers know
that it may be an unconscious reaction and that often the child just needs
to be made aware that they are scratching.
15
M ana g in g C hi l dhood E czema
W
hile certain activities such as sports or arts and crafts may not be
possible in severe cases, its important to encourage your child to pursue
as normal a life as their condition permits. Encourage your child to talk to
other children about their condition, and speak openly about eczema with
other parents and teachers who have contact with your child.
You can help your child cope with their condition by helping them
understand the importance of a daily routine to keep their eczema under
control. Smaller children and toddlers also benefit from a good skin care
routine and proper treatment.
Most (up to 75 per cent) cases of childhood eczema appear before six
months of age. Almost all cases (up to 90 per cent) occur by the age of five.
16
M ana g in g C hi l dhood E czema
What happens as my child gets older?
Hay fever is the name given to pollen allergy. Other terms for hay fever
include seasonal allergic rhinitis or pollinosis. Symptoms include:
Repeated and prolonged sneezing.
Stuffy and watery nose.
Red, swollen, and itchy eyes.
Itchy nose, throat, and mouth.
Itchy ears or other ear problems.
Breathing difficulties at night due to a blocked nose.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease that inhibits airflow in and out of the lungs.
People with asthma may respond to environmental factors, or triggers, that
do not affect most people. In response to a trigger, an asthmatics airway
becomes narrowed and inflamed, making it difficult to breathe and resulting
in wheezing and/or coughing.
17
M ana g in g C hi l dhood E czema
Is it possible to catch eczema?
18
Managing adult eczema
Moisturizers
Moisturizers, sometimes referred to as emollients, should be used regularly
to keep skin moist and flexible. You can help your skin look and feel
better by getting into the habit of applying moisturizers after you wash or
whenever you feel that your skin needs it. Your doctor or pharmacist can
recommend a moisturizer for eczema-prone skin. It is important to always
test the emollient on a small patch of skin to ensure it will not irritate you.
Apply a moisturizer immediately after you pat dry your skin. This helps seal
in the moisture.
19
The itch
M ana g in g adu lt eczema
The itch that accompanies eczema can be very difficult to put up with
and to manage. Scratching is difficult to resist because it can make you
feel so good in the short-term. It seems that the more you think about not
scratching, the worse the itch gets. However, it is not beneficial in the long-
term as scratching damages the skin and contributes to the itch-scratch-
rash cycle, making it more difficult to ignore the intense itch and leading to
bleeding and oozing of the skin.
20
Makeup and cleansers
Stress
Eczema can flare up when you are under stress, feel anxious, angry, or
worried. You can learn how to recognize and cope with these emotions
through stress reduction techniques available through local community
workshops. Changing your activities to reduce daily stress can also be
helpful.
Exercise can greatly reduce stress, but avoid excess sweat as it can
aggravate your eczema. Too much heat and sweat can make your skin more
irritated and itchy.
21
Medication
M ana g in g adu lt eczema
When your eczema flares up, use the medication prescribed by your doctor.
Ask what to expect from the medication and what to do if you dont see the
results you expect. Make sure you follow up with your doctor. Its important
that you follow your doctors directions for using the medication and check
the label for proper use.
Often, eczema appears on the face or hands, and this is the first thing
that people see. Unfortunately, many people are not always as sensitive
as they should be to people who look differently than they do. Generally,
most people just need to be educated about the disease. You can help your
family, friends and co-workers understand your condition by talking to them
about it. Tell them how it affects you, what it is, and more importantly, what
it is not. There are a lot of myths out there about eczema, and generally,
once people understand the disease, they can be quite understanding and
supportive.
22
H O W I S E C Z E M A T R E AT E D ?
How is eczema treated?
Although there is still no cure for eczema and no one treatment has safely or
effectively worked for everyone, every time, there is hope and treatment.
Over the past 40 years, a number of treatments have gone a long way
towards managing the terrible discomfort of eczema. Some treatments
appear to target the origin of eczema rather than treating the symptoms
once they have already started. These treatments do not have the same
potential limitations that current treatments have. Generally, treatments like
topical steroids and antihistamines work to relieve the symptoms of eczema
once they have already appeared.
23
H O W I S E C Z E M A T R E AT E D ?
In 2010, Health Canada approved one of the available TCIs for maintenance
therapy. If you have any concerns or questions about treatments prescribed
for you or your child, talk with your doctor; he or she has the most up-to-
date information about eczema treatments.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to treat the secondary bacterial skin infections that
may accompany eczema. Bacterial infections, like staphylococcus and
streptococcus, are common in the skin of people suffering from eczema.
Scratching can cause the skin to break down, allowing these micro-organisms
to enter the body. The immune system of eczema sufferers may also be
compromised, making it more difficult to fight off skin infections.
Caution: Nausea, diarrhea, and allergic skin rashes are the most common
side-effects. It is important to notify your doctor if you experience any
unexpected side effects.
Antihistamines
These are sometimes prescribed or available over-the-counter to aid sleep
and relieve itching. However, histamine does not appear to play a major
role in the itching caused by eczema. A doctor should always be consulted
before giving antihistamines to children.
24
Coal tar preparations
H O W I S E C Z E M A T R E AT E D ?
Crude coal tar extracts have been used to treat the inflammation and itch of
eczema. Coal tar treatments have a soothing effect on inflamed skin. Tars
contain hundreds of chemicals, most of which have never been identified,
but seem to have a medicinal effect. However, most people shy away from
these preparations because they tend to be messy, time-consuming, smelly,
and inconvenient.
Caution: Coal tar should not be used for acute dermatitis because it may
cause stinging and irritation. As well, folliculitis (inflammation of the hair
follicle) and sensitivity to light have been reported. Speak to your doctor if
you have questions about the use of coal tar.
Phototherapy
Sunlight has been known to have a beneficial
effect on certain skin disorders. Ultraviolet
light waves found in sunlight were discovered
to be the source of this therapeutic effect.
Phototherapy uses these ultraviolet light waves
for the treatment of eczema.
25
Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors
H O W I S E C Z E M A T R E AT E D ?
Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors (TCIs) prevent cells in the immune system from
switching on and releasing chemicals that cause the inflammation and
itching associated with eczema.
These topical therapies can be applied directly to all affected areas of the
skin including the face, neck and eyelids, and work quickly, often within a
few days, to reduce eczema symptoms. In 2010, Health Canada approved
one of the available TCIs for maintenance therapy. Your dermatologist or
family physician will be able to provide you with more specific information
and advice on selecting the appropriate treatment.
Topical Steroids
Topical steroid creams, also called cortisone creams, are applied directly
to the skin and have been a traditional treatment for eczema for the last
forty years. There are many different topical steroids which fall within one
of seven classes, ranging from Class I (super potent) to Class VII (low
potency).
26
H O W I S E C Z E M A T R E AT E D ?
Caution: When cortisone creams are correctly used under the supervision
of a physician, they can be a safe and effective treatment for eczema.
However, certain side effects have been documented. Stretch marks,
thinning skin, fragile skin, increased fine hair growth, and skin discolouration
have all been reported. These side effects are related to the potency of the
cortisone cream, where it is being used on the body and the condition of the
skin it is applied to. Cortisone creams have been shown to be less effective
when used over a long period of time. There is also a risk that they could be
absorbed into the blood through the skin. In rare instances, this could slow
growth in children by suppressing the adrenal gland. Generally, cortisone
creams are only prescribed for short periods of time. It is important not to
confuse topical steroids with those steroids used illegally for body-building
or those used in the contraceptive pill; they are completely different.
27
Treatment Progress Chart
H O W I S E C Z E M A T R E AT E D ?
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
28
H O W I S E C Z E M A T R E AT E D ?
Where treatment Results
is applied
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
29
Books Available from Web Resources
RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
Chapters.indigo.ca
Baby Skin: A Leading EASE Program
Dermatologists Guide to Infant www.eczemacanada.ca
and Childhood Skin Care
Nelson Lee Novick Pennys World
Published by Crown Publishing www.pennysworld.ca
Group, Incorporated, 1991
Canadian Dermatology
Coping with Eczema Association
Sheldon Press Staff www.dermatology.ca
Published by Milestone
Publications, Limited, 1996 Eczema Informant
www.eczemainformant.com
Eczema & Psoriasis
Stephen Terrass Eczema Guide
Published by HarperCollins Canada, www.eczemaguide.ca
Limited, 1995
Eczema Society of Canada
The Psoriasis and Eczema www.eczemahelp.ca
Solution; New Hope for Physical
and Emotional Relief National Eczema Association
Michael F. Holick www.nationaleczema.org
Published by Transmedia, 1999
National Eczema Society - UK
Atopic Dermatitis: www.eczema.org
The Epidemiology, Causes and
Prevention of Atopic Eczema The American Academy of
Hywel C. Williams, 2000 Dermatology
www.aad.org
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Notes
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Notes
RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
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The information contained in this booklet has been developed by the RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
EASE Program, solely funded by an educational grant from Astellas
Pharma Canada, Inc. 2011
33