Your Private GP and Sexual Health Clinic in Canary Wharf
Eczema
Eczema and dermatitis are terms used interchangeably for a very common skin inflammation. Atopic dermatitis is most common and often present from childhood. It tends to occur in the first weeks or months of life in genetically prone individuals. Often the first signs appear with introduction of solid foods but can start a lot earlier than that. It can settle in childhood but it can also persist into adulthood. Even children that out grow it often tend to have dry, sensitive skin in adulthood with episodic flare ups. Other types include seborrhoeic, asteatotic, pompholyx, and stasis eczema plus allergic contact dermatitis irritant contact dermatitis.
Causes
You may be born with an increased likelihood of developing eczema, which you inherit from your parents. You may be a carrier of the Fillagrin gene deficiency. In this gene deficiency there is an increase in palmar creasing.
You may also experience your condition getting worse, when exposed to environmental factors.
For instance factors, such as house dust mite, food allergens, cat and dog dander or pollen. Furthermore there are several triggers that can make your symptoms worse including any ill health, teething, hormonal changes, stress, exercise and irritants.
Symptoms
- Itching
- dryness
- redness
- crusting
- flaking
- blistering
- cracking
- oozing
- bleeding
There may be some areas of skin discolouration too (increased or decreased pigmentation) which may appear due to skin inflammation, but the scarring is exceptionally rare.
Treatments
It is important to establish the type of eczema. More than one type of eczema can exist in the same patient. Identifying triggers for flare-ups is also very important to treat eczema effectively. Often the treatment plan consists of a regime for flare-ups and another regime as a maintenance therapy. Topical treatments include soap substitute, emollient, barrier cream and treatment creams. Your dermatologist will establish the most suitable regime for your based on your skin type, form/s of eczema and convenience of the treatment for you.
However if any allergies are established, we will excluded these as much as it is possible. Your dermatologist will be able to guide you on this.
This is based on allergy blood tests or skin prick tests.
We can also refer you to a dietician, if needed. For more severe cases, a course of phototherapy or systemic therapies maybe needed.
If you are concerned about or just want advice on STI’s, please call: 0203 197 9100 or contact us via email at: contact@drwaynecottrell.com
For more information or to book an appointment call our clinic on the number below: