What is eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition in which the skin becomes inflamed. The skin turns red, itches, and may be scaly. Eczema is usually caused by a combination of two factors:
- My skin is naturally too dry.
- The immune system is overreacting.
This combination makes the skin particularly sensitive to irritants.
How do you recognize eczema?
- Itching, sometimes really bad.
- Red, dry patches on the skin with flakes, bumps, cracks, blisters, or scabs.
- Rough, thick skin when the eczema has been present for a long time
Eczema often appears on the elbows, behind the knees, the face, and the neck. In babies, it often appears on the cheeks and arms.
In children with eczema, the symptoms usually disappear by the age of 5. However, the eczema may return later in life.
What is the cause?
The exact cause is complex, but there are several factors that play a role:
- Genetic predisposition: Some people are naturally prone to dry skin and have a highly reactive immune system. This is called atopy and is often associated with asthma and hay fever.
- Skin barrier: The skin’s lipid barrier is less effective. As a result, the skin loses moisture and irritants such as soap penetrate more easily. This can cause the skin to develop flakes, bumps, cracks, blisters, or scabs.
- Irritants: These include soap, cleaning products, perfume, wool, synthetic fabrics, rubber, and even too much water.
- Environment: Dry air (such as from heating in the winter), heat, sweating, bright sunlight, and cold can worsen eczema.
- Lifestyle and physical condition: Stress, fatigue, illness, and even teething in babies can have an impact.
Eczema is not an allergy. It is an inflammatory reaction of the skin. Due to a genetic predisposition, the skin is too dry and the immune system overreacts.
What can you do on your own?
According to the principles of Eczeemwijzer, there are many things you can do on your own to reduce your symptoms:
- Minimize irritants: Use pH-neutral soap, avoid wool and tight-fitting clothing, and maintain adequate humidity levels in your home.
- Moisturize: Apply a rich cream or ointment (emollient) every day. Your family doctor or pediatrician can write a prescription. Well-moisturized skin is less dry and less sensitive. The skin’s protective lipid barrier doesn’t function as well. As a result, the skin loses moisture and irritants such as soap penetrate more easily. This can lead to skin symptoms such as flaking, bumps, cracks, blisters, or scabs.
- Prevent dryness: Don't wash with soap and water too often, so that the skin's natural oil barrier is preserved. Use lukewarm water.
- Environment: Dry air (such as from heating in the winter), heat, sweating, bright sunlight, and cold can worsen eczema.
- Keep your child's nails short to minimize scratching.
- Cotton clothing instead of wool or synthetic fabrics.
When should you see a pediatrician?
Your family doctor or pediatrician will determine whether your child needs a referral to a pediatrician. Call or visit your family doctor if:
- Your child is in a lot of pain because of eczema.
- Sores may develop, or the skin may become inflamed.
- The symptoms do not improve despite good care.
- Your child isn't sleeping well because of itching.
- You're wondering if there's something else going on, like an infection.
What do we do?
Sometimes eczema is so severe that you need extra help from a pediatrician. The pediatrician will work with you and your child to determine what the problem is and which treatment is best.
What does a pediatrician do?
- Examination: The pediatrician will give your child a thorough checkup, paying special attention to the skin, and ask about symptoms and family history
- Treatment: The pediatrician often prescribes a rich cream or ointment, and, if necessary, a medicated ointment (corticosteroid) for inflamed areas. Sometimes an ointment to treat infections is also needed.
- Tips on applying cream or ointment: How often and how much to use.
- Allergy testing: Eczema is not an allergy, but sometimes an allergy can affect eczema. If an allergy is suspected in addition to eczema, additional tests will be performed.
- Prevention: Tips for preventing new eczema flare-ups, such as proper skin care and avoiding irritants. The pediatrician also offers advice on introducing peanuts and eggs early on; this helps prevent peanut and egg allergies later in life.