Eczema

SKIN PROBLEMS

Acne

Abrasions, skin scratches

Eczema  

Dermatitis

Rhagades or cracks

Warts

Psoriasis

Herpes 

Urticaria

Insect Bites

Irritated skin

Blister and calluses

ECZEMA

WHAT IS ECZEMA?

Eczema is a general term for inflammatory skin reaction that affects particularly the epidermis and first manifests itself in the form of redness, itchiness, small nodules and blisters. The term eczema is not a term for a particular skin disease or condition, it is rather a general term for a group of skin diseases that show some common characteristics, but have different causes.

Eczema can appear anywhere, but it usually affects hands, elbow joints, knees and wrists. It is often seen on babies’ faces. The condition is not contagious and in some cases, it goes away with age.

WHAT TYPES OF ECZEMA DO WE KNOW?

When people mention eczema, they usually mean atopic eczema, which results in dry and itchy skin and is often accompanied by redness, peeling skin and cracks. This is the most common type of eczema. It usually affects the back of hands and fingers and it often damages nails as well.

Other types include:

  • Contact eczema

Contact eczema is caused by contact with irritating substances. Burning sensation, itching and redness occur. The inflammation disappears when we remove the irritating substance.

  • Dyshidrotic eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema affects fingers, palms and soles. It triggers the formation of small water blisters on hands. These can be the consequence of proneness to allergies, however the cause often remains unknown. They are more common in women and smokers.

  • Nummular eczema

Nummular eczema in winter months causes dry, circular patches in the shape of a coin, with papules, blisters, scales, and scabs, where secondary infection often occurs. It usually affects the legs. Nummular eczema is more common in men.

  • Seborrhoeic eczema

Seborrhoeic eczema causes itchy, red, scaly rashes, especially on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, around the nose and behind ears. In babies, it is often called cradle cap. In teenagers and adults, the seborrheic eczema is usually manifested as peeling of the scalp or as redness on nasolabial folds.

WHAT ARE THE TRIGGERS?

The cause of eczema is not completely explained. It is most likely triggered by an overactive immune system that reacts aggressively when exposed to a combination of stimuli: genetic factors, environmental influence, weather, temperature, and non-specific triggers. Regarding environmental influence, it is important to stress mainly the exposure of the skin to water, humid environment, scrubbing, and irritating substances, such as soaps, detergents, perfumes, preservatives. But eczema can also be the consequence of a sensitized person’s exposure to contact allergens (chromate, nickel, scented compounds, ingredients of rubber). Psychological tension can also cause outburst or worsen the skin condition.

INFECTIOUSNESS AND TRANSMISSION?

Eczema is not contagious. But in case of eczema, the protective layer of the skin is damaged, so the susceptibility to an infection with some other transmittable skin disease is greater.

HOW TO REACT IN CASE OF ECZEMA?

First, we have to remove the triggers that cause the eczema to occur. Along with eliminating allergenic or irritating factors from our diet, room and cleaning products, getting enough sleep and having a healthy lifestyle, we can also help ourselves by using appropriate body products.

It is very important to take care of the supplement of the fat (light emulsion), which will ensure protection and elasticity of the skin surface and its moisturising. Moisturised and elastic skin enables easier regeneration of the affected surface.

There are many efficient products available:

  • for moisturising the skin with hyaluronic acid, panthenol, Aloe vera,  3 to 10% urea etc.,
  • for softening the skin and building protective film on the skin surface, such as extracts of vegetable oils – olive, argan, evening primrose, CBD, cocoa butter, shea butter, beeswax, lip balm, and lanolin;
  • with ionised silver that has an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect;
  • with extracts of special kinds of oats;
  • with vegetable extracts with anti-inflammatory properties, such as camomile or pot marigold.

Light therapy or phototherapy uses ultraviolet light to prevent the reaction of immune system that causes eczema.

If despite self-care we have to visit a doctor, they will prescribe anti-inflammatory medication (corticosteroids) in a form of creams or ointments and anti-allergic medication (antihistamines) in a form of pills or syrup to alleviate inflammation and itching. Local corticosteroids do not cure the disease, but they temporally improve the skin condition.

Exceptional help is offered by products containing hyaluronic acid, which can bind with up to thousand times the amount of water as its molecular mass and therefore ensures substantial moisturising of the skin. Products containing extracts of Aloe vera are also the right choice for maintaining moisture in the skin and for more skin elasticity. At the same time, they soothe the skin, cool it and heal the injuries on the epidermis. Products that offer oxygen supply (oxygenation), e.g. products with active oxygen compounds, which help the skin to regenerate quicker, are also recommended.

We should not forget the appropriate diet with plenty of essential fatty acids (fish, nuts, seeds, avocado etc.) that are important for the formation of the cell membrane.

ENIKAM RECOMMENDS:
OXILVER® Skin gel

Active oxygen compounds in combination with ionised silver, hyaluronic acid and Aloe vera are the right choice to moisturize and soothe dry, corneous and itchy skin. Solution and Gel ensure regeneration and supply the skin with oxygen, they have a mild antiseptic effect and they oxygenate, nourish and clean the area of application. Hyaluronic acid and Aloe vera contribute to intensive moisturising, bigger elasticity, suppleness and smoothness of the skin.

How to use:
2-3 times a day. OXILVER® Skin solution in spray is used especially on larger areas of the skin, meanwhile the OXILVER® Skin Gel is used on smaller or pointy areas (face…). In case of extremely dry, irritated skin, it is recommended to apply a light care emulsion or a drop of vegetable oil beforehand, which will provide the skin with adequate protection and elasticity.

WE RECOMMEND: