Portland Oregon Eczema Treatment
Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis is a long term itchy inflammation of the skin. It is not contagious, meaning it CAN NOT be spread through casual contact. Eczema can affect almost any area of the body, but it most often appears on the hands, arms and behind the knees. Many people who suffer from this skin condition endure flare-ups periodically and then it subsides for a time. The cause of Eczema, is as yet unknown, but many studies indicate that it results from a malfunction in the body's immune system. The term Atopic refers to a group of diseases where it may be common to get other allergic conditions in conjunction with the primary breakout. These may be conditions such as Hay Fever and Asthma, both of which are relate to the immune system and the bodies reaction to histamines.
Eczema usually begins in early childhood, around age 5 or so, and may continue well into adulthood. The most common symptoms are dry, itchy skin and rashes on the hands, face, inside the elbows, behind the knees, and even on the feet. Itching is one of the most important symptoms of Eczema. Scratching and rubbing in response to itching irritates the skin, this in turn increases the inflammation, and the increased inflammation actually increases the itchiness so the problem compounds itself. This itching really becomes a problem when the sufferer is sleeping when conscious control over scratching is lost. The effected skin may be red and scaly, feel thick and leathery, may contain small raised bumps, or even leak fluid and become crusty and infected. This damaged skin loses moisture which allows the skin become extremely dried out thus reducing its protective abilities. It is this loss of protection combined with the abnormal immune system that may lead to infections caused by Staphylococcus and other viruses or bacteria.
There are several different factors that may effect the severity of your breakout. Irritants and Allergens can aggravate your skin increasing the itch-scratch cycle and make things worse. Examples of irritants would be things that come into contact with the skin such as dish soaps, cleaning products, perfumes, ill-fitting clothes, and even cosmetics. Soaps have a drying effect on the skin and tend to make itching worse. Ill-fitting clothes can rub against your skin, causing it to become even more irritated than it already is. Allergens are more internal factors that may have an effect on breakouts. These types of breakouts are due to an irregularity in the immune system. It is not clear if these factors are due to inhalation or direct contact, but things like dander, pollen, and mold may all be contributing factors. Over time people effected with Eczema may learn what triggers their outbreaks this knowledge can help them avoid those things and help make their lives and dealing with their disease easier. Some foods may also be triggers. Allergic reactions to certain foods may cause skin inflammation which could either trigger an outbreak or worsen the one that may already be affecting your skin.
Healing the skin and keeping it healthy are important factors to remember when dealing with Eczema. Working with your local Portland Eczema Specialist will help you to developing a treatment plan that works for your particular case. Not all people are the same, thus treatments need to be tailored to fit each individual. The dermatologist will devise a plan that is based on the patient's age, symptoms, and general health. The treatment plan developed by your Portland Dermatologist has two main goals, heal the skin and prevent future flare-ups. Treatment may include a mix of different things, topical steroid creams and ointments, oral medications and steroids, lifestyle changes and careful monitoring of what seems to have caused the last few outbreaks. While there is no cure for Eczema, the disease can be managed with proper care and a good treatment plan.
Questions and Answers
Article Tags:
laser surgery
,general dermatology
,cosmetic dermatology
,surgical dermatology
,rosacea
,acne
,psoriasis
,eczema
,treatment
Rosacea (roh-zay-sha) is a common facial skin disorder that is estimated to effect over 16 million Americans today and most may not even know what it is. In a society that places such high value on beauty and appearance, having a skin condition like Rosacea can have lasting adverse personal and psychological effects. Typically the first signs of Rosacea...
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes rapid skin cell production which results in large red, dry, flaky, and extremely itchy patches of skin. It is said to affect more than 2.2% of Americans and 1% to 3% of the worlds population. Psoriasis is characterized by periodic flare-ups of red patches that are usually covered by silvery, flaky skin. The exact cause of psoriasis is....
ACNE: Millions of people around the globe suffer from this skin condition. Acne Vulgaris, commonly referred to as acne, can effect people of all ages but usually is found most often in teens and young adults.
Are you feeling a bit run down, is your face finally starting to show its age? Portland Botox Treatments provide a quick, effective solution that can help reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. Over time, your age, stress, worry and everyday environmental factors can take their toll on your face and make it look much older than it should. Botox treatments were first approved by the FDA in 1990 for the treatment of...
by Ahmed Abdullah, MD, FACS, FICS For centuries, aloe vera has been a popular natural remedy for the treatment of a myriad of ailments – from sinus infections to indigestion. Today, however, most individuals recognize aloe simply as a sunburn soother, ignoring its more substantial benefits to the skin.
A fast way to get gout relief is with baking soda which I've found it to be very effective. But now that I have gotten my uric acid levels under control I don't need to use this home remedy anymore.
Gout was once the 'disease of kings' due to their diet, but not any more. Anybody can have gout nowadays. Easy access to relatively cheap, mass-produced food and alcohol has meant that we are all at the mercy of gout through our diet.
We need to keep our omega 6 foods at a minimum and include more omega 3 into our diets. Adding food items such as walnuts, chia seeds, to our salads is a simple and natural way to get our omega.
Most children demonstrate some impulsive/hyperactive behavior or have difficulty remaining on-task. Although typically found in boys, in 3-7% percent of children the inattentive, hyperactive, and/or impulsive behavior is recognized by clinician as being a significant problem that is not typical of normal development.
Tomas, a 34 year of carpenter, went to see his girl friend of six months at the end of a hard day. Noticing a strange car in the driveway, he peered into her window with some curiosity. He saw her having sexual relations with another man. Enraged, Tomas went home and returned with his shotgun.
Maintaining your gutters and keeping them clear of debris is a very important task as there are several dangers apparent with poor maintenance. The alternative is full replacement. This article will explain the choices simply.
A lot of people searching for a piece of property to buy or in invest have heard the term MLS. So what exactly is the MLS system and what does it provide to buyers and brokers. This article will give you a basic look at MLS and its purpose and availability.
Winter can be very hard on your landscaping, especially if you have any amount of large trees or shrubs. Damage to trees can cause damage to your property and home. Here are the causal factors and an idea for preventing or at least lessening damages.
Destination weddings are always fun and beach weddings are the best. You don't have to travel out of the country for some awesome destination beach wedding fun.
Intersegmental Traction works to loosen tight muscles and realign trouble vertebrae, helping to ease pain and stiffness in these crucial areas of support for your body.
Discuss this Article
