ECZEMA INFORMATION - ATOPIC DERMATITIS

With the wide range of skin problems presented by our clients, we have come up with a simple and clear guide to eczema and atopic dermatitis, the two most common areas of skin complaints.

To give a hand to any customers lost in the problem skin world, we’ve come up with a clear and simple guide to eczema and atopic dermatitis
To begin with, it’s important to :

Accept to understand its pathology,
Accept its complexity,
Accept that no one treatment is going to help everyone,
Accept that one needs to make an effort, and in a constant fashion….
…. At the end of the road = Success (for young children); soft skin and a liveable situation for the others.

Eczema has a different pathology from psoriasis, even though the symptoms are similar. Eczema and psoriasis are two diseases which have not been totally understood by science. For these two types of dermatitis, there are no current ‘cure’ treatments and the available treatments only reduce the traces (notably, corticoids).

Eczema is a disease born from the immune system, in tandem with environmental factors (substances which can provoke allergies, known as ATOPENES). An atopic skin is one pre-disposed to allergic reactions.

The ways these allergies enter the body are numerous, and not just via the skin (except eczema from contact). The respiratory system and the digestive system are possibilities (especially with young children

Simply speaking of ‘balance’ Th1/Th2 (Lymphocytes-key to immune defence system)

Th1 : lymphocytes which combat germs and viruses.
Th2 : lymphocytes which activate when faced with allergies (and parasites).
These lymphocytes are live in balanced harmony. If one takes over, there is little room left for the others to manoeuvre.
Conclusion : It is better to have more Th1 than Th2 ; and if the opposite happens, an atopic skin is born.

Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is essentially a non contagious inflammation of the skin. It is accompanied by red, itchy plaques, dry skin crust. It is found on select areas of the body (depending on the type of eczema) and the appearance of vesicles is possible. est essentiellement une inflammation non contagieuse de la peau qui s'accompagne de plaques rouges

After a time, the skin becomes thicker, drier, loses it’s elasticity and changes pigmentation.

For young children with atopic skin, the goal is to assist in the construction of his/her immune system until the child’s maturity (7yrs old). All children are born with a Th2 orientated immune system and an underdeveloped digestive system. Maturity here comes around 18 months/2 years. The immune system matures around 7 years. This mature tolerance level is going to be helped by an avoidance or prevention of ‘trigger’ points linked to atopic dermatitis in the baby with atopic skin.

Therefore, for everyone, the first thing to do is check up on allergic triggers in our environment which have led to atopic skin pathology and enabled it to flourish. They need to be eliminated if possible. At digestive maturity, food allergies are the first to go.

With babies, this type of eczema appears on places like the cheeks, scalp, shoulders, thorax and thumb (if they are sucked). Between ages of 2 and 7, the skin folds of the elbows, wrists, knees and ankles are affected. At adolescence, the zones around the eyes and the underside of the feet are affected. In adults, eczema is often found on the neck, ankles, feet and hands.
People often speak about ‘outbreaks’ of eczema, certain periods of time when their eczema is more apparent than usual. These ‘outbreaks’ are often punctuated by periods of remission, of varying lengths.

Main types of eczema

There are many types of eczema, and the specialists themselves have difficulties in agreeing on what makes something ‘eczema’ and something else not ‘eczema’.

Contact dermatitis
Eczema carries the name dermatitis when it comes about because of contact with products for the bath (soap, shower gel, sweat, saliva etc…). The reaction can be instantaneous, or can appear a few hours later (if touched by plants, a specific chemical product or a metal, like nickel in jewellery). The symptoms vary in size and intensity according to the particular reaction. People can see slight redness to ulceration.

How to recognise contact eczema ?
Often seen with red, itchy plaques plaques with a crumbly like edge. The reaction begins where the skin made contact with the allergic element and can spread. It is important to know that typically, this eczema can weep from the start of the reaction which often leads people to think it’s infected. The lesions dry out and remain itchy. They can disappear spontaneously if contact with the allergic element is halted.

There are different types of eczema, depending on where they are located :

• Neck eczema : Skin here is particularly fine and sensitive. Often linked to a perfume allergy, nail varnish or nickel.

• Hand eczema

• Foot eczema There are different forms :
o dishydrose : Small serose ‘blisters’ often linked to athlete’s foot between toes,
o More profoundly, linked to the shoe leather for example…
• Eyelid eczema Eczema here attacks very fine and sensitive skin. Eyelids can become inflamed. It can come from an allergy to eyedrops, nail varnish, cosmetics (mascara, cream, make up).

Certain substances can provoke contact eczema
Cement (cement eczema), rubber plant, hair dye, plasters/bandages, Peru oil (In certain food/industrial products). Cloves, curry, lanolin (In many beauty/industrial products, also suet), epoxy resins, Parabens, perfumes, plants, also after applying creams with calendula, arnica, nickel (In costume jewellery, jean buttons and coins).

Treatment Inventory

Here we have brought together a list of existing treatments for eczema or atopic dermatitis.

This dossier is the result of extensive research on skin ailments, but is not exhaustive. We are presenting the different treatments availables, from those presecribed by doctors to those of a non-medical root for combating eczema and atopic dermatitis.

Our dermacosmetic laboratories have a range of non pharmaceutical treatments which effectively treat squama and affected skin: Pso Natura.

Pso Natura Complex, Shampoo and Rich Restructuring Cream are dermacosmetic treatments based on plants. Their excellent results and ease of use make them highly sought after by people suffering from eczema. For more on Pso Natura

Today, there are no definitive treatments for eczema. Classic treatments only limit the inflammation and discomfort brought about by eczema. Patients are able to find out which allergens irritate their skin, causing eczema development, and learn to avoid these irritants which in turn diminished the symptoms.

Eczema treatments often contain Cortisones (found in anti-histamines, a renowned allergy treatment).

Corticosteroids. Creams, with a cortoticosteroid base, are applied to the skin directly. Infllammation and itching subsides in affected areas. In serious cases, oral corticosteroids are prescribed, but for a short period thanks to their secondary effects (loss of bone mineral,for example). A very thin layer of cortisone cream is applied, the least often possible, to control a bad patch of eczema.

Antihistamines. Antihistaminies can be used occasionally to reduce itching. Young children are able to sleep better, avoiding scratching during the night (often when eczema flares).

Tacrolimus and Pimecrolimus. These two immunomodulating medicines are new on the market. They reduce the action of the immune system (which leads to inflammation) and are a credible option to corticosteroids as the secondary effects are not as great.

Cyclosporine. Only used in very serious cases, cyclosporine is a fungal agent which contains immunomodalating properties. Taken orally, it would be more effective topically, but more dangerous. Taking into account the side effects, on the liver and blood pressure, this treatment can only be taken during very brief periods.

Note. Antibiotics are necessary in cases of bacterial infection (notably Impetigo) or if there is a fungal infection enters through an eczema patch.

Ultraviolet light treatment
Phototherapy or photochemotherapy (ultraviolet light treatment combined with a drug to render the skin light sensitive) can be prescribed, except in cases of overly sensitive skin. UVB or UVA rays are emitted from machines. Patients must realise that by prematurely aging their skin, they increase the risk of cancer. However, light exposure to sun can have many benefial effects for many people.

Psychotherapeutic approaches
Emotional and psychological factors are recognised as playing a key role in eczema by all medical experts.

Other treatments
–         Anti dandruff shampoos for seborrheaic eczema can complement an anti-fungal treatment. Dermatological shampoos can soothe flaky scalps. Pso Natura represents the Natural alternative to ease your scalp.
–        Using compression stockings or having varicose veins worked on is used in cases of varicose eczema.

Complementary treatments
Treatments giving relief
These treatments relieve the breakouts of eczema and are applied on the skin as a salve, cream or compress.

-Aloes (Aloe vera). Aloe vera gel contains emollient agents (Note. Aloe Vera can cause dermatitis in exceptinal cases). Le gel d'aloès aux propriétés émollientes


-Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). Contains astringent and anti-inflammatory agents.

-Oats (Avena sativa). The outside of the oat in balneotherapy can be used to treat skin diseases with symptoms of inflammation, seborrhea and itching. (No scientific study has been done in relation to eczema at the point of writing this).

-German camomile (Matricaria recutita). A recent study gave ‘difficult to interpret’ results : It was not judged more effective than the placebo, but the two treatments were more effective than hydrocortisone cream.

-Peppermint (Mentha piperita). External usage only. The oil can soothe itching. Avoid applying to respiratory areas in children under 4.

-Scotch Marigold (Calendula officinalis). Recognised in all European labs for its anti-inflammatory properties and used widely all over the world in cosmetics and dermatological cases for its healing power.

-Tar. This viscous material comes from petrol and coal. Has been used for centuries to fight eczema. Nevertheless, research has not confirmed its effectiveness in these cases.

- The 3 Treatment Pso Natura range is a natural, effectiive alternative for squama, plaques, redness and scratcihing. Very dry skin and irritated scalps. This range does not attack the causes of the problem, but helps erases the visible traces on the skin.

Support treatments
Hypnotherapy. Diverse studies have shown a reduction in eczema (reduced use of cortisteroids, scratching, sleep troubles, tension) in children and adults who have shown resistance to other more classical treatments. In adults, this treatments can inclide autohypnotherapy, relaxation techniques, stress control as well as direct pointers (stopping scratching, having a fresh feeling on the skin, reinforcement of self-esteem) and posy-hypnotic techniques.

Vitamin E. A daily dose of 268 mg Natural Vitamin R (400 UI) over a period of 8 months or more can relieve the symptoms and reduce the amount of immunoglobulin E in the bloodstream (indicators of allergic sensitivities).

Burdock (Arctium lappa), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) et Chicory (Cichorium intybus) are frequently used plants in the relief of eczema.
Chinese medicine. According to this regimen, various problems, notably atopic diseases, can be explained by a unbalanced energy in the body. Acupuncture and special plants, used in Chinese medicine, are used to treat this imbalance.

Eczema, definition, treatments, what to do