Is Eczema Curable: Everything You Need To Know

Is eczema curable? This is a very common question among people who has it and parents whose children are suffering from this skin condition. Read on and learn whether or not eczema is curable.

 

You are sleeping soundly until you heard your baby crying.

 

You thought it’s just another feeding time or maybe the diaper is full and needs to be changed. But the thing is, the diaper is not that wet, and your baby doesn’t seem hungry. He wouldn’t take what you offer.

 

You thought he just needs a little swaying, and dancing, and cradling. But unfortunately, he wouldn’t stop.

 

You tried checking your baby out – surprisingly, you see red rashes on some parts of his body. You thought it’s just some kind of rashes because of the summer heat.

 

You had an almost no sleep night. But you managed to get through it. Here comes another night, and the very same scenario happened. You started to worry. Thus, the next day, you went to visit the doctor to have your baby checked. To cut the long story short, your baby was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema. And then you asked the doctor, is eczema curable?

 

Does this scene sound familiar? Have you exactly the very same kind of situation? Well, I did.

 

It was just a few months since my baby was diagnosed with eczema, and I tell you, it’s been the most stressful time of our lives yet.

 

Of course, we try our best to keep him away from the many possible triggers or causes, but, there are just days when you feel helpless. Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, flare-ups will show up and you just have to deal with it.

 

I too asked the doctor, “Is eczema curable?” Unfortunately, the answer has always been, the symptoms can be treated, but there really is no definite cure for eczema.

 

You know, sometimes I feel like the doctors are just trying to keep their cool, but I guess they feel quite pissed off hearing the very same question over and over again and having to explain repeatedly as well. Well, they can’t blame us – especially since we are talking about young people here.

 

Is eczema curable?

 

The definite answer is no.

 

However, there are ways to treat their symptoms. There are ways to keep flare-ups away or keep it from worsening. But, cure? None. At least at the moment. But who knows? Maybe in time, a cure will eventually get developed by scientists and medical experts. But for now, people with eczema will just have to deal with it – the best they could possibly do.

 

What is eczema?

 

Eczema or also known as atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that is very common among children and adults alike. In fact, it is very common that it affects 31.6% of people in the United States has it.

 

According to Medical News Today, eczema “is a condition where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, red, cracked, and rough. Blisters may sometimes occur.”

 

There are different types of eczema that you should know about. These are:

 

1. Atopic dermatitis

 

It is a very well-know and very common type of eczema. It is chronic and inflammatory. Unfortunately, the very cause of this type of eczema is unknown. However, according to the National Eczema Association, atopic dermatitis normally happens when “the immune system goes into overdrive in response to an allergen or irritant inside or outside the body.”

 

Atopic dermatitis is very common among children. In fact, it usually starts in childhood usually in the first six months of a baby’s life. The thing about it is, if your child has it at such an early stage of his or her life, he or she might outgrow the condition. It is very usual for young people to outgrow eczema as they age. However, in some unfortunate cases, eczema does not go away and they just have to deal with it for the rest of their lives.

 

According to Medical News Today, on one hand, symptoms of atopic dermatitis differs depending on age. For infants under 2 years of age, for instance, symptoms include:

 

– Rashes on the scalp and cheeks

– Rashes bubble up before leaking fluid.

– Rashes that may cause extreme itchiness

 

Symptoms in children aged 2 years until puberty include:

 

– Rashes behind the creases of elbows or knees, as well as on the neck, wrists, ankles, and the crease between buttock and legs

– Bumpy rashes can

– Rashes that are either light or dark in color

– Rashes that thickens and can develop knots and a permanent itch

 

On another hand, symptoms of atopic dermatitis in adults include:

 

– Rashes appear in creases of the elbows or knees or the nape of the neck, or could even cover almost all parts of the body

– In some cases, rashes are prominent on the neck, face, and around the eyes.

– Rashes that cause the skin to be very dry

– Rashes can have a tendency to be permanently itchy

– Rashes that are scalier compared to children

– Rashes can lead to skin infections if not properly addressed

 

Adults who developed atopic dermatitis as a child but no longer experience the condition may still have dry or easily irritated skin, hand eczema, and eye problems.

The appearance of skin affected by atopic dermatitis will depend on how much a person scratches and whether the skin is infected. Scratching and rubbing further irritate the skin, increase inflammation, and make itchiness worse.

 

 

2. Contact dermatitis

 

From the name itself, contact dermatitis happens when the skin contacts with irritating substances or allergens causing it to get inflamed, burned, itch and become red. There are different types of contact dermatitis, but the most common are irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis, according to the National Eczema Association.

 

In most cases, contact dermatitis usually appears on the hands, as well as other parts of the body that have touch allergens or irritants like:

 

• Solvents
• Industrial chemicals
• Some Laundry Detergents
• Fumes
• Tobacco smoke
• Paints
• Bleach
• Wool
• Polyester
• Acidic Foods
• Astringents
• Skincare products that have alcohol (but not cetyl alcohol)
• Some soaps, body wash, and fragrances
• Allergens like animal dander or pollens

 

Common symptoms of contact dermatitis are:

 

– Burning

– Swelling

– Redness

– Rashes

– Blisters

 

3. Dyshidrotic eczema

 

Dyshidrotic eczema is another type of eczema that “produces small, itchy blisters on the edges of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles of the feet.”

 

Still according to NEA, “stress, allergies (such as hay fever), moist hands and feet, or exposure to nickel (in metal-plated jewelry), cobalt (found in metal-plated objects, and in pigments used in paints and enamels), or chromium salts (used in the manufacturing of cement, mortar, leather, paints, and anticorrosives)” are commonly known as triggers of this skin condition.

 

Some of the symptoms of dyshidrotic eczema are:

 

– Itching

– Redness

– Flaking

– Scaly, cracked skin

– Small fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) on the fingers, hands, and feet

– Pain

 

4. Nummular eczema

 

Also known as discoid eczema and nummular dermatitis is a type of eczema that occurs at no particular age.

 

Unlike other forms of eczema, nummular is said to be more difficult to treat. The appearance itself is unusual – it looks like coin-shaped spots on the skin and very itchy.

 

Although there is no definite cause, experts say that it is commonly triggered by insect bites, dry skin, and reaction to skin inflammation.

 

Symptoms of nummular eczema include:

 

– Round, coin-shaped spots

– Dry, scaly skin

– Wet, open sores

– Itching

 

5. Seborrheic dermatitis

 

Of all the types of eczema, seborrheic dermatitis is considered as the chronic type. It usually appears on oil-producing parts of the body like the scalp, upper back, and nose.

 

Like the other types of eczema, the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is also unknown. However, medical experts say that a person’s genes and hormones have a huge part for most people who were diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis.

 

Anyone of any age can develop seborrheic dermatitis. In fact, most infants develop seborrheic dermatitis, which is commonly tagged as the “cradle cap”. Also, based on statistics, seborrheic dermatitis is more common in men than women.

 

It is also believed that those with certain diseases that affect the immune system like  HIV or AIDS, and the nervous system, are believed to be more prone to developing seborrheic dermatitis.

 

Some of the most common symptoms of this type of eczema are:

 

– Redness

– White or yellowish crusty flakes

– Greasy, swollen skin

 

6. Stasis dermatitis

 

Another term of stasis dermatitis is gravitational dermatitis, another is venous eczema, and also venous stasis dermatitis. This type of eczema has something to do with blood flow. If you have a problem with blood flow in the veins and there is a pressure that can cause leakage of fluid out of the veins and gets into the skin, this scenario will most likely result in stasis dermatitis.

 

Some of its common symptoms are:

 

– Swelling around the ankles

– Redness

– Scaling

– Itching

– Pain

– Oozing

– Open areas (cracking or larger ulcers)

– Infection

 

Now that you already know some of the most common types of eczema, you probably are wondering if all of these are not curable. Unfortunately, based on studies, they are all the same – they are all not curable. But, if you had it at an early stage of your life, for instance, your baby has it, there is a huge possibility that it will disappear on its own.

 

However, if you developed eczema when you are older, you might just have to be prepared to deal with it for the rest of your life or treat its symptoms to at least spare yourself from painful and irritating flare-ups.

 

Is Eczema Curable?

 

While I have answered this already based on what my child’s doctor has told me. I thought it would be more credible to quote some important facts about this skin condition from the experts.

 

Thus, I am quoting the American Academy of Dermatology about these few important things you should know about eczema (Note: Written in verbatim.):

 

1. Some children outgrow their eczema. Others continue to have eczema flares and remissions for life.
2. Eczema can be treated.
3. Mild eczema can often be treated with corticosteroids that you apply to the child’s skin.
4. When eczema becomes more severe, a dermatologist can consider other treatment options. Using bursts of stronger corticosteroids that you apply to the skin can be helpful as can light treatments and stronger medicine that works throughout the body.
5. The important thing to remember about eczema is that for many children eczema is a chronic (can be lifelong) problem. There is not an easy fix. At this time, there is not a cure.
6. Working together with your dermatologist is the way to go. Your dermatologist can help you really understand when to use what medication in treating eczema and other ways to best help your child.

 

Obviously, with all that’s been said, eczema is indeed not curable, but, who knows, your child might just outgrow it. After all, it has a tendency to just disappear on its own if a person was diagnosed at the early stage of his or her life. Hang on to that, because I surely am hanging on to that fact too.

 

Managing Eczema Symptoms

 

Is eczema curable? As I mentioned earlier, medical experts say no, it is not. But, the symptoms can be treated or at least, be taken under control.

 

To help you manage eczema symptoms, here are some of the basic things that you should do:

 

 

• Identify what triggers your flare-ups. Discuss this one with your attending physician so you’d know what to avoid.
• Make sure to have a regular bathing and moisturizing routine. As much as possible, avoid the long hot shower. The heat can cause flare-ups to occur or worsen.
• Avoid scratching the affected area to prevent acquiring infections. Eczema is painfully itchy, but sadly, you are not allowed to scratch it off or it might lead to a more serious problem.
• Use clothing that is made of 100% organic cotton. Remember to stay away from other types of fabrics like wool and polyester as they help trigger eczema symptoms.
• Avoid hot temperatures or being under the sun for too long. Remember, weather and the hot temperature is a big no-no for people with eczema.
• Take or apply over-the-counter and/or prescription medication regularly, and as prescribed by your doctor. There are a lot out there to choose from, thus, make sure to always ask your doctor before trying out anything.
• Keep an eye for signs of infection like pus-filled bumps, pain, redness, heat on the skin. The goal is to always be ahead of the game. Delays can cause serious problems.
• Create a care team of health providers specifically the ones who are experts in treating eczema to guide and help find the right treatment for you or your loved one. This is especially recommended for those who have serious eczema condition, or parents of babies who have no idea at all what this condition is all about and how it should be handled.
• Be mindful of stressful situations or events, and as much as possible, stay away from them. If your stressors are too much for you to bear, you can always ask help from medical experts.
• Learn from those with eczema as well. Some people with eczema thought having one is a curse. They feel like being deprived of living a normal life. Thus, learning how to deal with it form people who are going through it would really help a lot. In relation to this, I was blessed to have a mommy friend who also has a kid with eczema. It was through her that my perspective about this condition changed, and she helped me deal with it as a parent.

 

Summary

 

To sum it all up, here are a few key points about eczema:

 

– There are a lot of things that can trigger symptoms of eczema. Some are environmental, while others are substances used in formulating personal care products, laundry detergents, as well as homecare products.

– Symptoms of eczema vary depending on the type of eczema. But the most common symptoms are redness and itchiness of the skin.

– Eczema is not a contagious medical condition. However, it can be hereditary. So, don’t get surprised to have one if your family medical history states that one of your family members had it.

– Eczema is, unfortunately, not curable as of this time. However, there are various treatments to help manage their symptoms. There are also treatments that focus on healing damaged skin.

 

Wrap Up

 

Is eczema curable?

 

With everything that has been said, and with all the organizations I have quoted, I guess it is clear now to say that the reality of eczema is – it does not have a cure yet. At least, not yet. Well, who knows, in due time. Sooner or later, some brilliant scientist or medical expert gets to develop a cure for this very common skin condition.

 

For now though, as we wait for that, let’s get ourselves going and focus on managing and treating the symptoms.