Definition, Causes, and Characteristics of Eczema Skin Disease

Definition, Causes, and Characteristics of Eczema Skin Disease - Human skin is the largest organ in the human body. As the outermost part of the human body, the skin has a vital role as the human body's defense system that protects against germs and other foreign substances. Since the skin is the outermost organ of humans, wounds or diseases of the skin tend to be recognized.

One of the common skin diseases is eczema. Skin eczema is a common disease and can infect various groups, from infants to adults. Eczema is also often referred to as dermatitis.

Eczema or eczema is an easily recognized disease, with the primary symptom being dry, scaly skin with a very itchy rash. Let's get to know more about eczema, from the definition and causes to the characteristics of eczema!

Eczema

Eczema is a term for swelling of the skin. Eczema is identical to the condition of dry, scaly skin with rashes and feels very itchy.

The disease can appear early and persist into adulthood, but eczema can also occur in adults for the first time.

Eczema itself is divided into seven types, namely: atopic eczema, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, seborrheic eczema, and stasis eczema.

Among the seven eczemas, atopic eczema is the most common. Eczema is known to be challenging to get rid of entirely and can appear several times throughout the sufferer's life.

Causes of Eczema

1. Piles of used bottles

Various things can be the leading cause of eczema, including environmental and genetic factors. For example, when the body's immune system detects allergens or irritants from outside or inside the body, the skin can trigger swelling or irritation of the skin.

Reporting to the National Health Service, the causes of eczema can come from internal and external factors, such as:

Chemicals in detergents, bath soaps, shampoos
Products with the smell of
cigarette smoke
External allergens such as pollen, mold, dust, or dust mites
Certain types of fabrics, such as rough fabrics and synthetic fabrics
Sweating
Changes in environmental temperature
Stress
Food allergies
Animal fur

Characteristics of Eczema Skin Disease

Friends, you may be familiar with the common symptoms of eczema: red and dry skin followed by itching. Everyone can have different eczema symptoms, from those in young children to adults.

Although various groups and genders can experience it, eczema is not contagious. If you have asthma and allergies, you have a high chance of developing eczema. However, eczema has no medicine that cures it completely.

The general characteristics of eczema are:

1. Changes in skin color

The appearance of a rash or reddened skin is one of the common symptoms of eczema. This change in skin color is perhaps the most visible symptom to the eye.

In addition to red rashes, skin discoloration due to eczema can appear grayish, brownish, to purple in some darker skin tones.

2. Itching

If you feel symptoms of reddened skin followed by itching, you may be experiencing one of the symptoms of eczema. Itching can vary from mild itching to quite a severe itching.

For some people, the itchiness can get worse, making the sufferer scratch until it bleeds. This situation is known as the “itch-scratch cycle.”

3. Dry and Scaly Skin

Reporting from Health Line, eczema sufferers do not produce enough of a protein called filaggrin, which is a filament that functions to keep skin hydrated and healthy. Therefore, one of the common symptoms of eczema is dry and scaly skin.

Eczema sufferers can feel dry skin that seems to thicken and peel. Followed by itching, this scaly skin can trigger sores if scratched.

Dry skin will also feel sensitive because it is scratched. Generally, eczema can be found in the areas of the hands, neck, elbow folds, ankles, knees, feet, and around the eyes.

4. Red Bumps

In some cases, the symptoms of eczema can be followed by the appearance of red spots in the infected area. In the symptoms of eczema in infants, red spots can become swollen before finally releasing fluid.

In the case of eczema that blisters and discharges, this is a sign that eczema you are suffering from is infected. This condition can occur due to wet wounds that emit fluid. An infection like this will require further treatment from a doctor.

That's a complete explanation of what eczema is, its causes, and common symptoms of eczema. Although eczema cannot be completely cured, it is not a deadly infectious disease. If you have eczema, you can avoid things that trigger eczema, apply a special eczema ointment, or consult a doctor.