Eczema Skin Symptoms

Eczema skin symptoms are specific changes of the skin that occur in the form of smaller or larger patches in predilection ares (see below):

1. Erythema (redness) - the skin is red and inflamed, usually warmer than surrounding healthy skin. It is dry and itchy, which inevitably leads to scratching and aggravating eczema itself.
2. Papulation (formation of blisters or bumps) - in later stages of the disease, and as a result of scratching or not treating eczematous skin properly, small blisters or bigger bumps appear. Sometimes they are filled with liquid, or in severe cases pus, which forms as a result of bacterial infection.
3. Scratching injuries - after repeated scratching, skin loses its elasticity and becomes hard. Crusts are forming on areas where blister used to be. Skin has deep red coloration.
4. Lichenification (lines) - lines are forming as a result of chronic inflammation and diffuse thickening of the epidermis. Skin tends to be brownish in color, with leathery shine and hard on touch.

See all the symptoms in pictures on Eczema Skin Symptoms page.

Usual areas, or predilection areas, where these symptoms occur are:

• face (forehead and eyelids)
• neck (front and back)
• arms especially folding parts of elbows
• fists
  
• legs, especially folding parts of knees
• groins
• ankles

It is important to know that eczema is a non-infectious disease. There is no threat of transmitting it to others, either by touch or sexually.

Medical Causes Of Eczema

Medical causes of eczema can be put into three main groups:

1. Allergens

Most common allergens that cause eczema are the food allergens (see Which Foods Cause Eczema), but apart from those, there are many more, such as pet hair, grass and flowers, dandruff, pollen, all sorts of washing powders and cosmetics. Virtually anything can cause eczema if you have sensitive skin and/or are susceptible to allergies, i.e. there is a family history of such diseases in your family.

2. Irritants

Eczema can be a seasonal illness. When seasons are changing and the weather is cold and dry or warm and humid, then it is perfect time for eczema to kick in. Apart from weather, air conditioning can also be a contributing factor, as well as various chemicals, paints and even the clothing material, such as wool or synthetics.

3. Emotional stress

In today's fast and dog-eat-dog world, stress is gaining more and more on the ladder of eczema causes. It would be good to learn how to prevent this, and if you give it a look around the web I am sure you will find a plethora of relaxation and meditation programs you can practice and be free of stress.

These are all factors that can trigger eczema skin symptoms. But have no fear, there is a cure!

How To Treat Eczema

How to treat eczema with current medicine?
It looks like that when it comes to eczema, all that 21st Century medicine relies upon are pharmaceuticals. And this is not the way to beat eczema skin symptoms. Most used medications are corticosteroids, like Hydrocortisone, but unfortunately they have more harmful side-effects than beneficial effects:

• thinning and softening of the skin (aging of skin)
• increased sweating
• indigestion
• weakening of the immune system
• dilatation of skin blood vessels

There are many more. They may differ from patient to patient, but one thing is for sure -- side-effects follow corticosteroids wherever they go. And, it is understandable considering that they are just chemicals, synthetic compounds.

On the other hand, there are natural products. It is so unfortunate that today's medicine doesn't pay more attention to Nature and her potentials to heal our diseases.

"For every disease known to man, there is a cure known to Nature"

This is so true, and has been proven many times before. Look at the discovery of antibiotics! It has been there, in front of our very noses for centuries, and for centuries contemporary medicine of the past has been refusing to believe the answer lies in Nature. Simple diseases, by today's standards, like tuberculosis or pneumonia or even plague which is eradicated today, have been considered incurable and have killed so many people just because of the simple fact that we were reluctant to believe the Nature might have the solution.

Eczema today is no different matter. Over-the-counter medications used to treat it today does not work, while on the other hand, natural remedies are believed to be very effective in treating this stubborn skin disease and unlike synthetic medications, they are:

• easy to use
• clean and safe from side-effects
• known to be highly effective
• cheap

If you're new to all this natural approach and it sounds too good to be true, the only way to find out if any of this is true is to give it a try. I think you will be very pleasantly surprised!