HYDERABAD, Sep 19: The abnormal response of body immune system may cause eczema, which though not contagious, is often not treated in a proper manner, dermatologist Dr Dharam Dev Rathi says.

He says the exact cause of eczema was unknown but the food and environmental allergens, stress, irritants, heat or cold and genetic predisposition could be the factors to precipitate or aggravate the condition.

He says severe eczema could cause significant morbidity and might have major social, emotional and financial impact on children and their families.

The diagnosis of eczema is made clinically on the basis of the distribution of skin involvement and symptoms, he informs.

Dr Rathi says eczema occurs in both children and adults, however, it usually appears during infancy. Though there is no known cause for the disease, it often affects people with a family history of allergies; he says while adding that those who are genetically predisposed can develop eczema.

Many people who have eczema also suffer from allergic itches and asthma or have family members who do, he adds. The skin is commonly involved in acute allergic reactions. He says eczema looked different from person to person -- dry, red, extremely itchy patches on the skin most often characterise it.

Eczema is sometimes referred to as “the itch that rashes” since the itch, when scratched, results in the appearance of the rash, he says.

While further explaining about eczema, Dr. Rathi says that eczema could occur on just about any part of the body; however, in infants, it typically occurs on the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp, and neck while in children and adults it typically occurs on the face, neck, and the insides of the elbows, knees, and ankles.

The eczema may bubble up and ooze in some cases while among others, the condition may appear much scaly, dry, and red, he adds.

About the eczema itch, Dr. Rathi says that many substances have been identified as itch triggers in patients with eczema and triggers are not the same for every person as many times it is difficult to identify the exact trigger that causes a flare-up.

He says that about 10 per cent to 20 per cent of all infants have eczema; however, in nearly half of these children, the disease will improve greatly by the time they are between five to fifteen years of age. Others will have some form of the disease throughout their lives.

Dr Rathi says doctors always face difficulties while treating the children as it is very difficult to restrict them from scratching their eczema resulting in their condition become worse.

He says the application of moisturiser on a regular basis could be very helpful as in most cases.

Dr Dhram Dev Rathi emphasises upon parents to keep their children bedroom and playing areas free from dust mites, a common trigger.

He also underlines the using of mild soaps both for children skin and their clothing. The parents should dress their children in breathable, preferably cotton clothing, he says and if these methods fail to help their children, they should seek further advice from a dermatologist and after consultation use the prescribed cream, ointment, antihistamines, or antibiotics.

About prevention Dr. Dhram Dev says that eczema outbreaks could be avoided by adopting some simple precautions.

He suggests to patients to reduce the severity and frequency of flare including frequent moisturizing, avoid sudden changes in temperature or humidity, sweating or overheating as well as scratchy materials like wool or other irritants and reduce the stress.—AFP