Eczema: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Eczema can affect anyone, no matter their age, and it currently affects around 1 in 10 adults in the UK alone. There are six common eczema types, and they are -

1. Atopic eczema
2. Seborrheic dermatitis
3. Contact dermatitis
4. Stasis dermatitis
5. Dyshidrotic dermatitis
6. Nummular eczema

Eczema and dermatitis are terms that are interchangeable – they mean the same thing.

What Causes Eczema?

So why do some people suffer from eczema symptoms and some people go through life without ever experiencing what it’s like to have an eczema flare up?

The causes of eczema are various. While some people may find that certain washing powders or detergents are their eczema triggers, others will find that allergens such as animal fur and house mites cause their eczema symptoms to kick off. Eczema can also be caused by -

• Weather – a change in weather can wreak havoc on people with sensitive skin
• Mould – spores from mould can exacerbate eczema
• Pollen – sensitive skin can overreact to certain allergens like pollen and thus eczema can occur
• Stress – can stress cause eczema? Yes, it can, as your body boosts its production of cortisol your skin can become oily and this in turn can lead to eczema
• Smoking – studies have found a link between smoking and eczema on the hands

How to Treat Eczema

Finding the right eczema treatment can often take months, sometimes even years. While a certain cream may work for one person it may have little to no effect on another. You may have to go through a period of trying out various options to find the product that works best for you.

Finding a treatment for eczema can often be time consuming, disheartening, and upsetting. However, there are many avenues you can try:

Speaking to your GP

Your first port of call when struggling with eczema should always be your GP. They can help start you on your journey to finding the right prescription treatment for eczema. It may be an oat-based topical cream like Zeroveen, or you may need something stronger like a topical steroid cream. Either way, your GP will be able to advise the best course of treatment for you in the first instance.

Trying an At Home Remedy

If your eczema symptoms are only mild and happen just occasionally, you may want to try and remedy the condition at home. If this is where you’re at, you could try switching up your diet to include plenty of anti-inflammatory produce. Things like leafy greens, fish, lentils, and turmeric are known to help tackle any inflammation in the body – so could help with eczema too.

Other methods of tackling mild eczema include applying honey to the skin. Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and has long been used as a DIY remedy for all sorts of ailments from wound healing to giving the immune system a boost.

Coconut oil is another easy option to try. It’s stacked full of good fatty acids that really help moisturise dry and eczema-prone skin.

Head to Este for Exciplex Light Therapy

If you’re at the stage where you are 100% fed up with getting nowhere fast with your eczema and it’s really affecting your self-esteem and confidence, it’s worth investigating Exciplex Light Therapy. At Este, we’re one of the first skin clinics in the country to provide this ground-breaking treatment which can treat conditions such as psoriasis, alopecia and atopic eczema.

Exciplex Light Therapy works by using monochromatic UVB light technology at a wavelength of 308nm. Large areas of 25cm² can be treated, but so too can smaller areas. It is a fantastic treatment for autoimmune skin conditions and uses clinically proven technology. The UVB light targets the epidermis layer of your skin – without any pain – and works to reactivate your body’s local immunosuppression response. Any pain or inflammation you may be experiencing in your skin is soothed.

You will need a course of treatments for Exciplex Light Therapy to work to its full potential. How many sessions you will need depends on the severity of your skin condition. We will talk all of these options through with you at your initial consultation at Este.

LED Light Therapy Before & After Results

The Last Word

Eczema can be an upsetting, irritating, and stubborn skin condition. While for some it may be mild and only appear occasionally, others may be battling with it all their life. If you’ve tried the prescription medication route, you’ve worked your way through the home remedies and lifestyle changes, and still you are suffering, perhaps now is the time to take a look at Exciplex Light Therapy.

Book a consultation at your nearest Este Medical Group clinic.