Eczema is one of the most common skin diseases. About 40% of patients who are registered with a dermatologist suffer from this particular ailment. The disease is divided into several types. The true origin of eczema can be established only by the doctor. Correct and timely treatment will help to cope with the problem as quickly as possible.
What is eczema?
Chronic inflammation of the upper layers of the skin is commonly called eczema. The disease can manifest itself in various forms. Isolate professional, seborrheic, microbial, allergic eczema. All these ailments differ from each other manifestations and complications. Any single case requires an individual approach. Sometimes the treatment of an ailment can only take place in a hospital.
Eczema on the arms and legs can be characterized by extensive rashes, dying lesions or even bleeding. The patient's psychological discomfort also accompanies the disease in most cases. This is due to the fact that rashes are most often localized in open areas of the body.
The ailment is also characterized by cyclicity. After a small healing, there usually comes a period of exacerbation. Therefore, before treating eczema on the hands at home, it is worth consulting with a specialist. Wrong therapy can cause irreparable harm to health.
Why does this ailment occur?
Many specialists today attribute eczema to a group of idiopathic diseases. The exact cause of its occurrence is still unknown. This problem has been studied by the luminaries of medical science since ancient times. Scientists still managed to identify a number of factors that to some extent affect the development of a certain type of eczema.
The least studied to date is idiopathic eczema on the hands. How and what to treat the disease, it can be difficult to solve. It all depends on the manifestation of certain symptoms. Some experts believe that the ailment in this form arises from excessive emotional and psychological stress of the patient. Depressive conditions and neuroses primarily can cause eczema. The risk group also includes people who suffer from diseases of the thyroid gland, digestive organs and diabetes.
Atopic eczema
People with a high tendency to allergic reactions are at risk. The first manifestations of the disease can be noticed after contact with the pollen of plants, animal hair or cleansing agents( shampoo, dish washing detergent).
Problems may arise in patients with a hereditary predisposition to such atopic diseases as bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, asthmatic bronchitis, etc. To prevent the development of eczema, patients at risk should visit the dermatologist on a regular basis and try not to contact the dermatologistobjects that cause allergies.
Microbial and seborrheic eczema
This kind of eczema occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to the skin of pathogenic bacteria or fungal microorganisms. Most often the patient can initially notice on the hands or feet a rash. Untimely treatment of skin lesions in the future will lead to the development of eczema.
Seborrheic eczema, the symptoms whose treatment is similar to its microbial form, deserves special attention. The disease develops due to the presence of Malassezia furfur on the skin. This form of illness is characterized by the necessity of long-term treatment. Fungus is difficult to remove from the body. Skin lesions only heal a little, after which eczema develops again.
Other species of the
A rare, but sometimes a common ailment, is professional eczema on the hands. Symptoms, treatment of the disease depend on the time of the patient's stay in one or another production. Skin lesions develop due to exposure to certain chemicals. It can be formaldehyde, nickel, gasoline, a variety of paint and varnish materials.
Occupational eczema can be quite dangerous. The problem is that initially it manifests itself in the place of contact with the chemical substance. If you do not start treatment in time, the ailment can spread to other parts of the skin.
Children's eczema is another type of this skin ailment. The disease can develop due to excessive consumption of some foods by the baby. The reaction most often appears on chocolate, honey and dairy products. Eczema in children can be localized on the forehead, chin and cheeks. On the hands of skin lesions in infants are rare.
Aggravating factors
There are a number of factors that can give impetus to the development of the disease in children and adults. First of all, this is inadequate food. The lack of a sufficient amount of vitamins and trace elements in the daily diet can lead to a decrease in immunity. As a result, the risk of developing eczema rises several times.
Patients prone to allergic reactions to the skin, it is necessary to monitor the work of the kidneys. Violation of the normal functioning of this body can provoke the development of skin disease. In this case, before treating eczema on the hands, it is necessary to normalize the work of the internal organs. The therapy should be full and complex.
The risk group includes patients affected by worms. The products of vital activity of these organisms can cause intoxication, which will provoke the development of skin disease. Pay attention to their health should be and patients who suffer from dysbiosis and intestinal disorders. These unpleasant symptoms can indicate the presence of parasites in the body. A simple laboratory analysis will help to identify them.
Symptoms
Symptoms of the disease depend on its type. So, idiopathic eczema is characterized by symmetrical eruptions, which can be erythematous or bubbly. The patient may feel severe itching at the same time. Combing the defeat in any case impossible. Such influences can provoke the spread of the disease to other parts of the body.
Atopic eczema is characterized by reddening of areas on the skin. As the disease develops, there may appear blistering rashes that open and cause wetting. The patient's skin becomes dry and begins to peel off. In the period of aggravation of a person's illness, a strong itch can be disturbed.
The most severe symptoms are microbial eczema on the hands. Treatment, ointments, preparations, natural remedies will be offered by the doctor only after the statement of the exact diagnosis and revealing the cause of the disease. The initial symptoms may be similar to the atopic form of the disease. Incorrect or untimely treatment can lead to pustular lesions of the skin, characterized by severe pain and increased body temperature. The itch in this form of eczema is absent in most cases.
Than to treat an eczema on hands?
Principles of treatment of the disease depend on the forms of its manifestation and symptoms. In some cases, conventional local treatment is sufficient. But microbial eczema can not be eliminated without the use of antibiotics. In this case, the doctor can appoint medicines only after a series of tests.
In case of allergic eczema, it is first necessary to find out what the patient is reacting to. Treatment should be comprehensive. It is necessary not only to limit contact with the allergen, but also to provide the patient peace and proper nutrition. Decisive in this case is the correct selection of ointment to eliminate the consequences of the disease.
Treatment of eczema with ointments
Special drugs with corticosteroids are considered to be the most effective for fighting this disease. Hormones with anti-inflammatory action contribute to the early recovery of skin and prevent the further development of the disease.
The best ointment for eczema on the hands, according to many dermatologists, is "Advantan".The drug is available in various forms. The most convenient is a fat cream. It is quickly absorbed and maximally removes such manifestations of eczema as redness and itching. Wet areas quickly dry up and begin to peel off."Advantan" should be applied to the affected area of the skin no more than once a day. There are practically no contraindications to the use of the drug. If necessary, the course of therapy can last several months.
Only a doctor can prescribe the right treatment for eczema on the hands. Symptoms and causes should be clarified in the first place. The complex approach will allow to get rid of the problem as quickly as possible and prevent the development of the disease in the future. Treatment with ointments can also be supplemented with folk remedies.
General medical treatment
Eczema, taking place in severe form, can not always be eliminated only with the help of ointment. If local treatment does not give positive results, the doctor can prescribe additional drugs for internal use. A good effect can be provided by immunosuppressors. These are drugs that suppress immunity. A doctor can be prescribed such means as "Diprospan", "Hydrocortisone", "Prednisolone".Medications can be taken in the form of tablets or intramuscular injections. Before treating eczema on the hands, the doctor should find out whether the patient tolerates the drug. If the disease is easy, the therapy can take place at home.
Immunosuppressors have a strong enough addictive effect. Therefore, the course of treatment should not be long. Before you treat eczema in your arms at home, you must visit a dermatologist. After all, only systemic complex therapy will yield results.
Folk remedies to help
In addition to medicamental therapy, folk remedies can also be used. Positive effects are characterized by baths with sea salt. The procedure is carried out twice a day. Special salt can be purchased at the pharmacy. One liter of boiled water will be enough for 10 teaspoons of salt.
With special herbs, eczema on the hands can also be cured more quickly. Treatment, reasons, folk remedies will prompt a specialist. In addition, many recipes from an unpleasant illness are transmitted from generation to generation. For example, a simple chamomile has an excellent healing and antiseptic effect. A ready-made decoction can wipe the affected areas of the skin or make baths.
Another excellent remedy against eczema is the root of thistle. A tablespoon of ground roots is poured into 300 ml of boiling water. After 15 minutes, the infusion can already be used. A distinctive feature of such treatment is internal application. In combination with other methods, the root of the burdock gives very good results. It can also be used to prevent people suffering from chronic eczema.
Prevention
How to treat eczema on the hands at home, anyone can find out from a dermatologist. But the disease is much easier to prevent than to deal with it. This is especially true for those who suffer from a chronic form of ailment. It should be remembered, the rapid development of the disease is promoted by ultraviolet rays. Therefore, with the first symptoms on the affected areas it is necessary to put a bandage.
If eczema appears on the hands, avoid contact with affected areas with soap. Hot water can also contribute to the development of the disease. You can clean hands with special antibacterial agents.