Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is one of a group of atopic diseases that include asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), food and insect bite allergies. Atopic refers to the fact that these diseases are inherited. They are an over-reaction of the body’s immune system to allergens. On the first exposure the immune system is primed to recognise the allergen, from the second exposure onwards there is a swift over-reaction.
In the case of eczema, the skin becomes inflamed and itches, it may also crack and weep, and this in turn could become infected. For some, the extent of the discomfort is so great as to cause sleeplessness, and given our skin is what we present to the world, it can cause lowered self-esteem and even depression. The disease is most often seen in infants, and for many they grow out of it, but others go on to suffer long-term into adulthood.
Conventional treatment
Conventional medicine has no cure for eczema, but patients may be offered topical or oral cortico-steroids that can help manage and reduce symptoms in a flare-up. Long-term use of steroids can cause thinning of the skin, widening of blood vessels under the skin, and stretch marks, as well as adrenal suppression leading to fatigue, low mood, and weight loss. As people with eczema are also likely to be being treated with steroids for another atopic disease, this can have a cumulative effect. Most eczema sufferers are well aware of these potential side effects and use steroids sparingly.
To discover what you can do to help yourself, and how homeopathy can provide a long-term solution go to my blog here