Introduction

According to Hon, Yong, and Leung, one of the most common and distressing skin

conditions is eczema, one that occur indiscriminately affecting infants, children, adolescents, and

adults alike (2). With regard to the known age of onset for eczema, they observe that most

patients get the skin condition before the age of five years. Also known as dermatitis, eczema is

believed to be among the most chronic skin conditions with atopic eczema being the most

chronic type where the patient develops itchy rash on the skin that is usually very dry

(Sugerman, 636). Although not contagious, eczema causes a lot of distress, discomfort, and

social stress on the patient, infants, children, and adults alike. The aim of this essay is to provide

an expository on eczema skin disorder with emphasis on all the factual information, as well as,

the statistics associated with the skin condition.

Eczema Skin Condition

Among the factual information necessary in discussion eczema are the causes, symptoms,

diagnosis, and treatment of eczema. With regard to the causes of eczema, Brown and Reynolds

agree that though the exact cause of eczema is not known, studies reveal that a combination of

hereditary and environmental factors could lead to manifestation of eczema skin disorder (18).

Some of the environmental factors that are known to trigger eczema include irritants like

shampoos, soap, detergents, and disinfectants among others, allergens like pollen, mold,

dandruff, and dust mites, cold and hot temperatures, hormones and imbalances, microbes, and

some types of food like soy products, seeds and nuts, wheat, and dairy products among others.

There are several symptoms that one may look out for in order to determine whether the

skin condition that one is suffering from is eczema. These include rash on the skin that is very

itchy and leads to the reddening, swelling, scaling, burning, or formation of small blisters on the
affected area. After the formation of the rashes and small blisters, they may become crusty or

ooze some fluids. Frequent itching and scratching may lead to formation of thickened and crusty

skin on the affected area (Kirsner and Hu, 2072).

According to Bryan, one of the most successful things in relation to the studies conducted

on eczema skin condition is that of the shift to satisfactory methods of treatment (758).

Observing that many years, approximately 60 have passed by in relation to the research and

studies conducted on the forms of treatment available for eczema, he observes that the

emergence of hydrocortisone ointments and creams was of great significance to the fight against

eczema. For instance, before they came into being, patients of eczema suffered much stress as

they would itch and scratch the affected areas until they bled. According to Sugerman, despite

the different forms of treatment available, doctors should assist patients to find different

treatments that suit the needs of the patient (637). Other forms of treatment include: light therapy

using UV light, antibiotics, antihistamines, corticosteroids, immunosuppressant drugs,

moisturizers, and topical immunomodulators among others.

In conclusion, it is necessary to understand that though it is not very dangerous or

contagious, eczema skin condition causes much discomfort and social stress on the patient. In

this case, there is a need to identify what triggers it in order to control it and to find the most

suitable treatment for the condition.

Works Cited

Brown, Sarah and Reynolds. Nick. Atopic and Non-Atopic Eczema. British Medical Journal.

Vol. 332, No. 585. 2006. Print.

Bryan, Jenny. Hydrocortisone - The Revolutionary Topical Treatment for Atopic Eczema. The

Pharmaceutical Journal. Vol. 288. 2012. Print.

Hon, Kam-Yun, Yong, Vivien, and Leung, Ting-Fan. Research Statistics in Atopic Eczema:

What Disease is this? Italian Journal of Pediatrics. Vol. 38, No. 26. 2012. Print.

Kirsner, Robert and Hu, Shasa. Hand Eczema Prognosis. Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Vol. 127. 2007. Print.

Sugerman, Deborah. Atopic Eczema. The Journal of American Medical Association. Vol. 311,

No. 6.