Eczema
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is one of the most common chronic allergic diseases. It is also one that appears earliest in life, often in the first 6 months and may last all the way up to adulthood. It appears as symmetrical rashes on the cheeks, body, folds in the limbs and sometimes extensively. The red raised patches are often itchy and rough to touch. Left untreated, the skin may be cracked and weeping. If left untreated, the older child or adult patient with have rough and dry skin with deep wrinkles even at the best of times. Symptoms go up and down and are worsened by many factors like dry weather, heat, contact with allergens and irritants, and superficial bacterial infection. Family history of allergic diseases like allergic rhinitis, asthma and food allergy are often present. The genetic factor allows vulnerable individuals to be affected by allergens like food (cow milk, egg etc.) or contact (house dust mites). Disruption of the skin barrier (genetic predisposition) allows allergens to be picked up by immune cells to activate a cascade of immune reactions to result in the lesions seen in eczematous skin. Early treatment would be most desirable to prevent it from progressing into the chronic state. When eczema is controlled before 1 year, the condition tends to become milder and milder.
