Definition Of Eczema Disease And Its Effects

Eczema is the term given to skin disease where there is a characteristic inflammation of the epidermis and dermis. In the acute phase the skin is itchy, red and weeping, but if the condition becomes chronic it appears Mavisred, scaly and thickened like morocco. Dermatitis is the same as eczema and the two terms are best regarded as interchangeable. Some common types are described below.

Eczema's of known cause. Primary irritant contact eczema. Repeated contact of the skin with irritating substances produces damage which may proceed to eczema. The situation arises commonly in industry when workers handle acids, alkali's, cooling oils and chemicals without protective clothing. Progress to eczema may then be further hastened by scrub¬bing the skin with harsh soaps and detergents in an effort to clean it. If contact with irritants continues, a disabling weeping eczema ensues which may take many weeks to heal.

This important type of eczema differs from the foregoing in that the individual develops a specific allergy to a concentration of chemical substance which is normally quite harmless to the skin. A typical example of this phenomenon is allergic sensitivity to nickel. Any site where nickel-containing metal objects are in contact with the skin will develop an eczema's reaction in the sensitised person.The sites involved are the suspender areas from contact with metal Susipander clips, under bra rings and clasps, and sometimes on the wrists under metal watches and bracelets. Another cause of suspender dermatitis is allergy to a constituent of the rubber in the suspender . Rubber sensitivity is a cause of hand eczema when rubber gloves are worn and also of a chronic foot eczema, since most shoes contain rubber. It must be noted that ointments used in treatment of skin conditions may also act as sensitisers so that inappropriate treatment may make the condition worse instead of better. Lanolin, contained in innumerable ointment bases, can act in this way as can some antibiotics when applied topically. Allergic contact sensitisation will affect only a small minority of people exposed to the sensitise and it is a curious feature that an individual may be exposed to a chemical repeatedly for many years before sensitisation

Occurs.

Confirmation of the diagnosis of allergic contact eczema is by the patch test. A suitable non-irritant concentration of the suspected chemical is made up in solution or in a bland ointment base and a small amount is placed on the back under an occlusive dressing. Forty-eight hours later the patch is removed and the site inspected. In normal individuals no change will be seen, but if the person is sensitive to the chemical a patch of inflammation will have developed at the site of application. It is most important that any contact sensitise be found, for avoidance of it will result in cure of the eczema.

Gravitational eczema. The skin of the lower shins and around the ankles is liable to develop eczema, especially in people with varicose veins. An initial sign of gravitational change is brownish pigmentation where super-facial capillaries have ruptured, and the skin may be infuriated or oedemaours . Even minor trauma can then result ma gravitational ulcer, and exudate from the ulcer and infection will further irritate the surrounding skin.Eczema associated with infection. Although infections of the skin due to fungi, bacteria and parasites may have a distinctive appearance in their early stages, the irritation of the skin and the scratching they provoke often leads to a picture which is indistinguishable from eczema.