Posted on December 7th, 2010 | Comments (0)
The existence of a rash on skin could be from so many things. It could be a reaction to something you ate, something that touched your skin, an underlying medical condition, or a be because of stress. Before you begin acting like a doctor by deciding the rash on your skin is a symptom of eczema, you need to further understand eczema and why it needs to be properly diagnosed by a doctor before seeking any form of eczema treatment.
Eczema refers to any condition in which the outermost layer of the skin (called the epidermis) is irritated. Depending on the type of eczema that you have, this skin irritation may manifest itself as patches of dry skin, red bumps that itch, or any other possible eczema symptom. The frequent mistake that people make when they see a rash on their skin is that they assume it is a form of dermatitis. Although this is a correct belief since dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin in any of its layers, a more specific diagnosis is not only more appropriate but very much needed. Why? Because while dermatitis over-the-counter treatments can effectively relieve the rashes caused by eczema, most OTC eczema creams are ineffective against dermatitis.
When you look at the OTC area of pharmacies, you might notice a few creams here and there for dermatitis as well as some OTC eczema creams. Sensibly, since dermatitis may affect one, two, or all three layers of the skin – epidermis, dermis, and the subcutaneous layer – dermatitis creams can reach down to the deepest layer of the skin. On the other hand, eczema creams have a limited scope and are able to penetrate only up to the epidermal layer of the skin. That’s because eczema only affects the epidermis and creams for eczema were made to only target this skin layer.
So even if dermatitis creams are made only for dermatitis, they can also provide relief for the skin irritation associated with eczema. Although, this may not always be the truth. There are about ten types of eczema and no single dermatitis cream can provide relief for all these especially since these types of eczema have varying symptoms. On the other hand, eczema creams also face the same problem even though they are already specifically formulated for eczema symptoms. Again, there are just too many types of eczema for one single eczema cream to work for all of them.
There are only two possible effects due to applying the wrong cream on your skin rash – either the rash on your skin gets worse, or it doesn’t show any improvement at all. Since eczema rashes are very unsightly to look at, the last thing that you want is to irritate them so that they spread. Even worse, these rashes are very uncomfortable and cause itching of the body. Thus, when you see a rash on your skin, it is best that you avoid applying any OTC eczema cream on it and primarily consult with a physician.
By seeking the expert advice of a physician or a dermatologist who specializes in skin care, you are actively participating in the betterment of your health. Only a professional and licensed doctor is able to diagnose your symptoms; whether or not you have eczema, what type of eczema you have, and what treatments will be effective for you. Eczema creams sold in pharmacies have different ingredients and with the prescription of a doctor, you can immediately choose the cream that can effectively reduce your rashes and alleviate you of the discomfort that they cause.
Doctors will also assess your recent exposures which might have caused your eczema symptoms to show. With your cooperation, the doctor can trace the causative factors and give you expert advice on what to avoid – whether it is food or any other possible irritant.
If a rash shows up on your skin, don’t just think of it as a simple rash on the skin. Instead, perceive it as a problem that needs to be addressed and resolved. This can be done by seeking medical advice and following the doctor’s orders on what creams to use and what to avoid. If you strictly follow your physician’s orders, you can avoid getting that same rash on the skin again.
About the Author
Charles Perkins is a skin care professional. For more information about the rash on your skin visit http://www.GoodbyeEczema.com
Article Source: Content for Reprint
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