Eczema
The name eczema is derived from a Greek word meaning "to boil". As such, it describes an inflamed, red rash which is usually intensely itchy. In more severe cases, the skin is broken and becomes weepy and scabbed. Even in people who have managed to control their eczema the tell-tale signs - of toughened, red skin with exaggerated furrows around the eyes and neck - speak of a condition that may now be under control or `outgrown' but once caused severe discomfort. Also known as dermatitis, eczema comes in several forms - atopic, seborrhoeic, contact and others. Dermatitis usually refers to a skin condition brought on by a reaction to something outside the body. So, contact dermatitis, as its name suggests, is triggered by exposure to particular substances such as detergents or certain metals. Seborrhoeic dermatitis tends to affect oily areas of the body such as the scalp and face and is not normally so itchy. The word eczema is usually used for conditions which are not caused by external irritants. The National Eczema Society estimates that one in ten people has eczema at some time in their lives.
Atopic eczema is usually regarded as a hereditary condition, often associated with asthma, hay fever or urticaria in the same person or his/her family. It is said to affect up to 3 per cent of the population. Like many skin problems, conventional treatment for eczema involves the use of creams applied locally. In other words it tends to deal with the symptoms from the outside. Emollients are used to keep the skin soft and lubricated; and corticosteroid creams can be very effective at relieving inflammation and itching in the short term. However, their long-term use is questionable, not only because many users become insensitive to their effects, and therefore need stronger formulas in higher doses, but also because of the side-effects that come with long-term use. Corticosteroids can stunt growth, weaken bones, suppress the adrenal glands and cause many other problems. Ultraviolet light treatment can also relieve the symptoms of eczema, although, again, the dangers that come with it make it a questionable practice.