“Eczema”: A Genetic Disease, Which Is Still Considered To Be A Simple Allergy Problem

Eczema is a widespread problem from which millions of people are suffering in the world, however, it is still a much distinct subject for Indians. We have the tendency to look beyond our diseases that we’re suffering from, and consider it a mere guest for 5-6 days. It is after, almost a month or two when we start realising the problem and finally look for some help, but for our home-made ‘Dadi-Nani’ prescription. Once that remedy fails we start surfing the Internet (Mostly ‘GOOGLE BABA’), and explore thoroughly about our problems, and then after a considerable amount of failure, we eventually consult with a doctor.

This is a story of many, including me, but it’s absolutely dangerous and a wrong approach. . We need to understand the mechanism of our body and role of a doctor (especially a specialist) in terms of Medical Plight. Many still don’t know about Eczema and consider it to be a mere allergy, but it’s more than just a reaction from a particular item.

Eczema can almost be described as an intense itch which spreads into a dangerously red and flaky rashes, and often cracks. There are various types of eczema: Atopic (induced by allergies), discoid (the one that occurs in coin-shaped patches), Contact eczema (the one that suddenly outbreaks after touching allergens) and Seborrheic (eczema in scalps).

It is also a result of different factors, which means that there are certain things that induce Eczema, and they are:

1. Aberrant immune system
2. Activities that cause the skin to be more sensitive than usual.
3. Defects in skin barrier, the one that allows germs in and moisture out.
4. Change in environment
5. Genetics

It is a common perception that Eczema is an adult problem or disease, but recently there have been many cases, where a 5-6-year-old suffers from Eczema or its symptoms. In such situations, it is considered to be a genetic problem. However, it is not a contagious disease.

So, it is best to consult a good dermatologist and get to know a little more about your 6-month-old rash. Many doctors have explained Eczema in a rather simple manner – ‘Eczema is usually an itch that rashes, rather than a rash that itches’.

One of the major factors through which people come into a contact with eczema is a change in the environment. Dry air, cold weather, stress, irritating soaps or perfumes, diets and overexposure to water can constitute to sudden eczema. It is more common to occur on flexural areas of your body i.e., back of the knees, insides of the armpits, elbows etc.

For these sudden eczema outbreaks, you can go for coconut oil as your saviour. It possesses some of the most magical healing that can be helpful for you in each and every way. Coconut oil provides the most amount of hydration to your body, that it needs and requires. Plus, it also has antioxidants, antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal properties that calm and soothe your skin from itching.

Other than coconut oil, there are many other methods that one can go for, in order to calm your eczema.

1. Always follow an anti-inflammatory diet, which means limit the consumption of processed food, sugar, alcohol and carbohydrates.

2. Avoid scented beauty products, as they can irritate sensitive skin very easily.

3. Always keep your skin hydrated, moisturise it properly and religiously as well as drink plenty of water.

4. Avoid activities make your skin dry , things like hot showers and an excessive amount of swimming.

5. Don’t take the stress, be calm and try to meditate on a regular basis.

These were some of the things that you can do in order to avoid or control your eczema problem. Don’t overlook an issue, Eczema is known to be a genetic disease which is still considered to be a mere allergy. While it can’t be completely cured (in terms of genetic issues), it can easily be controlled.

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7 December 2016
Jyotsna Amla