Milliyet Newspaper – April 15, 2021
Eczema is a very common skin condition that affects many people. Eczema, especially seen in children and exacerbated in some periods, negatively affects the quality of life. President of the Allergy and Asthma Society Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akçay explained the details about eczema by stating that severe eczema seen in children may flare up during the pollen season.
Eczema Symptoms
The symptoms of eczema can vary greatly from person to person. In some children, eczema can be very severe and difficult to treat. The typical symptoms of eczema can be listed as follows:
Dry skin,
Itching, which can be severe, especially at nigh,
Red and brownish-gray spots on the face and scalp, especially on the hands, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, upper chest, eyelids, elbow and knee folds, and infants,
Small, raised protrusions,
Thickened, cracked, scaly skin,
Skin that is tender and swollen from itching.
Eczema generally begins before the age of 5 and can continue into adolescence and adulthood. For some people it flares up periodically and then subsides for a while, even over the course of a few years.
Pollen Can Cause Eczema Flare-ups
A significant number of children with eczema may experience exacerbation of eczema during the pollen season. Particularly, some of the children with difficult-to-treat eczema may experience exacerbation of eczema due to the pollen season. Sensitivity to one or more pollen and spring allergies are also common in children in this group. Also, dark-skinned children experience flare-ups more frequently during the pollen season than fair-skinned children. Sensitivity to one or more types of pollen is more common in dark-skinned types than in light-skinned types. Children with eczema flare-ups during the pollen season generally have hay fever and dark skin.
The Importance Of The Season In Patients With Atopic Eczema
In general, eczema symptoms are worse in the winter due to potential dehydration of the skin due to exposure to low ambient humidity (for example, cold air and central heating). However, some patients experience disease flares during the spring and summer months.
It is known that children with atopic eczema experience seasonal changes in disease severity; Winter months are the seasons when the severity of eczema usually increases. There is a lack of information about children with eczema, in which the severity of eczema increases in the spring and summer.
One third of patients with difficult-to-treat eczema experience exacerbation of eczema during the pollen season and summer months. According to the results of a study, it has been revealed that eczema flare-ups are more common in the pollen season, especially in children with dark skin type.
Is Eczema Contagious?
Eczema is not contagious, it cannot be transmitted from one person to another. However, eczema can be inherited and passed on from your parents to you through genes. There is a link between allergic rhinitis and asthma, and atopic dermatitis. If a parent has allergic rhinitis or asthma, their child is more likely to have skin problems. However, many children with atopic dermatitis are more likely to develop hay fever or asthma.
Eczema symptoms are different for everyone. In most types of eczema, it is necessary to know the trigger for the treatment of its symptoms. Here are some things you can do to treat eczema symptoms:
Try to avoid triggers that aggravate the situation. Things that can worsen a skin reaction include sweat, stress, obesity, soaps, detergents, dust and pollen. Reduce your exposure to your triggers.
– Follow a regular hydration routine.
– If your doctor has given you medicine, use it in accordance with the instructions.
-Watch out for signs of skin infection.
-Treat the affected area sensitively, do not rub or scratch. Avoid irritating fabrics, such as wool, that can make your eczema worse by choosing soft, breathable clothing.
-Take shorter baths or showers and use lukewarm water instead of hot water. After bathing, gently pat dry your skin with a soft towel and apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp.
-Use only mild soaps. Choose mild soaps. Antibacterial soaps can remove more natural oils and dry out your skin.
