What Is Eczema and How Do You Beat It?
The Oxford College Dictionary Second Edition defines eczema as, a medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with itching and bleeding blisters, sometimes resulting from irritation but more typically having no obvious external cause.
Eczema is an inflammatory condition. But what is inflammation? The word inflammation comes from the Latin word inflammatio which means to set on fire. Inflammation is defined as a localized (in one area) physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection. During the inflammatory process, the body is working to kill bacteria at the site of a wound and to remove and keep the wound free of cellular and tissue debris.
Inflammation is a part of our body's natural healing process. It is a protective action of the immune system. Problems like eczema occur because the body is trying to kill a foreign substance. But what foreign substance is the immune system trying to fight?
To answer this question, modern medical science points to allergies. An allergy is an immune system response or reaction to a substance to which the body has become hypersensitive (overly sensitive). Food allergies play a huge part in eczema. In the article entitled Food Allergy the staff of the Mayo Clinic tell us that when the body is triggered by an allergy it releases histamines as well as other chemicals that can cause among other reactions, hives and rashes. They go on to say that common conditions that can be confused with food allergies include the absence of some enzymes needed to digest the food.
This information leads us to the conclusion that one solution to eczema relief might be the nourishment of the digestive tract. If you have a properly functioning digestive tract you should have a strong, properly functioning immune system.
Proper nourishment of the digestive tract includes ensuring the digestive tract is stocked with the enzymes and friendly bacteria it needs to break food down and absorb nutrients. In fact, in speaking with experts on the subject of eczema this investigator has been told that poor nutrition is a marker for eczema.
Besides food allergies some other common triggers for eczema include harsh soaps, chemicals, detergents, stress, dust mites, pollen, and temperature changes.
Moisture retention is also a problem for eczema sufferers. The skin is simply not able to retain (hold) moisture like normal skin. This makes it very important to find a good topical moisturizer and also to consume food and supplements that provide the nutrients the body needs to protect and nourish the skin.
People with eczema suffer terribly. Only those who suffer with these conditions can truly understand just how maddening it is and how irresistible it is to scratch. The cycle seems never ending. Unbroken beautiful skin starts to itch. The urge to scratch is irresistible. Most people with eczema will scratch until their skin bleeds and often continue scratching while their skin is bleeding. From the descriptions of eczema suffers, it feels so good for them to scratch that it is as if endorphins (pleasure producing chemicals) flood the brain while they are scratching. After composure is regained, the skin is broken and unsightly and shame takes hold. Soon the skin will scab, but as we all know, scabs itch and the cycle starts again.
The shame and suffering that go with this condition is terrible. Scolding those who suffer with eczema for scratching their skin produces an unhealthy emotional response in the patient. For these reasons, this investigator urges those with loved ones with eczema to offer them their love, support and real workable solutions to clearing eczema.
This investigator does not believe eczema is a hopeless condition. In fact, she firmly believes there are ways to beat it. If you'd like more information visit www.EraseEczema.com
References:
Czarnobilska E, Dyga W, Krzystyniak D, Czarnobilski K, Myszkowska D, Obtułowicz K. (2012, March 23). Influence of environment exposures on the frequency of contact allergies in children and adolescents. Retrieved from the U.S. National Library of Medicine website
Van Bever HP, Llanora G.(2011, March 29). Features of childhood atopic dermatitis. Retrieved from the U.S. National Library of Medicine website
Milne, C. APRN, MSN, BC, CWOCN. Wound And Skin Care. Retrieved from Visiting Nurse Association of America website
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2011, February 11). Food Allergies: Causes. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic Website
Dugdale, D. C. III., Henochowicz, S., Zieve, D. (2010, May 2). Immune Response. Retrieved from the U.S. National Library of Medicine website
Caubet JC, Eigenmann PA. (2010, August 30). Allergic triggers in atopic dermatitis. Retrieved from the U.S. National Library of Medicine website
Lindberg, C. (Ed.). (2007). The Oxford College Dictionary. New York: Spark Publishing.
Eczema is an inflammatory condition. But what is inflammation? The word inflammation comes from the Latin word inflammatio which means to set on fire. Inflammation is defined as a localized (in one area) physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection. During the inflammatory process, the body is working to kill bacteria at the site of a wound and to remove and keep the wound free of cellular and tissue debris.
Inflammation is a part of our body's natural healing process. It is a protective action of the immune system. Problems like eczema occur because the body is trying to kill a foreign substance. But what foreign substance is the immune system trying to fight?
To answer this question, modern medical science points to allergies. An allergy is an immune system response or reaction to a substance to which the body has become hypersensitive (overly sensitive). Food allergies play a huge part in eczema. In the article entitled Food Allergy the staff of the Mayo Clinic tell us that when the body is triggered by an allergy it releases histamines as well as other chemicals that can cause among other reactions, hives and rashes. They go on to say that common conditions that can be confused with food allergies include the absence of some enzymes needed to digest the food.
This information leads us to the conclusion that one solution to eczema relief might be the nourishment of the digestive tract. If you have a properly functioning digestive tract you should have a strong, properly functioning immune system.
Proper nourishment of the digestive tract includes ensuring the digestive tract is stocked with the enzymes and friendly bacteria it needs to break food down and absorb nutrients. In fact, in speaking with experts on the subject of eczema this investigator has been told that poor nutrition is a marker for eczema.
Besides food allergies some other common triggers for eczema include harsh soaps, chemicals, detergents, stress, dust mites, pollen, and temperature changes.
Moisture retention is also a problem for eczema sufferers. The skin is simply not able to retain (hold) moisture like normal skin. This makes it very important to find a good topical moisturizer and also to consume food and supplements that provide the nutrients the body needs to protect and nourish the skin.
People with eczema suffer terribly. Only those who suffer with these conditions can truly understand just how maddening it is and how irresistible it is to scratch. The cycle seems never ending. Unbroken beautiful skin starts to itch. The urge to scratch is irresistible. Most people with eczema will scratch until their skin bleeds and often continue scratching while their skin is bleeding. From the descriptions of eczema suffers, it feels so good for them to scratch that it is as if endorphins (pleasure producing chemicals) flood the brain while they are scratching. After composure is regained, the skin is broken and unsightly and shame takes hold. Soon the skin will scab, but as we all know, scabs itch and the cycle starts again.
The shame and suffering that go with this condition is terrible. Scolding those who suffer with eczema for scratching their skin produces an unhealthy emotional response in the patient. For these reasons, this investigator urges those with loved ones with eczema to offer them their love, support and real workable solutions to clearing eczema.
This investigator does not believe eczema is a hopeless condition. In fact, she firmly believes there are ways to beat it. If you'd like more information visit www.EraseEczema.com
References:
Czarnobilska E, Dyga W, Krzystyniak D, Czarnobilski K, Myszkowska D, Obtułowicz K. (2012, March 23). Influence of environment exposures on the frequency of contact allergies in children and adolescents. Retrieved from the U.S. National Library of Medicine website
Van Bever HP, Llanora G.(2011, March 29). Features of childhood atopic dermatitis. Retrieved from the U.S. National Library of Medicine website
Milne, C. APRN, MSN, BC, CWOCN. Wound And Skin Care. Retrieved from Visiting Nurse Association of America website
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2011, February 11). Food Allergies: Causes. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic Website
Dugdale, D. C. III., Henochowicz, S., Zieve, D. (2010, May 2). Immune Response. Retrieved from the U.S. National Library of Medicine website
Caubet JC, Eigenmann PA. (2010, August 30). Allergic triggers in atopic dermatitis. Retrieved from the U.S. National Library of Medicine website
Lindberg, C. (Ed.). (2007). The Oxford College Dictionary. New York: Spark Publishing.