Eczema is a skin condition characterized by inflammatory itching and the formation of scales. The name Eczema is derived from the Greek, meaning "to boil out" and the label coincides with the skin's appearance of "boiling". Acute lesions made up of small fluid-filled structures called vesicles usually appear on the red and swollen skin. The condition effects all age groups from infancy to the elderly.

Sometimes eczema is related to an allergic reaction, but some believe that a fungal infection, internal imbalances or  a temporarily weakened immune system may contribute to this affliction.

Eczema, also known as dermatitis, describes a group of skin conditions commonly where the skin is inflamed, itchy and sensitive to touch. There are many types of eczema – the most common being atopic eczema.

The Skin Salveation program was designed to beat eczema primarily, although it has been found over its 20 year experience to be also successful in treating psoriasis and many other dry itchy, sensitive skin conditions for all types of skin world wide.

Symptoms may be caused by problems other than atopic eczema. If you have any of those listed and are in doubt about the cause, consult your Doctor for advice.

An introduction to Eczema

Eczema can develop anywhere on your body. There are various types of eczema all with slightly different causes and symptoms. Here we look at atopic eczema but other types are also covered. 

Atopic eczema

The term ‘atopic’ refers to a family history indicating the potential to develop a variety of allergic conditions including asthma, hay fever and eczema. Atopic eczema is an itchy skin condition that commonly affects parts of your body where the skin folds such as the backs of your knees and the front of your elbows, as well as your chest an extended abdominal area, face and neck. In the UK, as many as 20% of children and over 10% adults get atopic eczema.

Irritant contact eczema

Irritant contact eczema is caused by regular exposure to substances that damage the surface of your skin. Substances such as detergents or cleaning products are common irritants. Specific occupations are known to carry a higher risk- hairdressers,garage technicians, those working farming community.It is worth doing a simple risk analysis of an individuals working environment and the effects on sensitive skin.

Allergic contact eczema

Allergic contact eczema develops when substances come into contact with your skin and cause an allergic reaction of the skin. Nickel, perfume and hair dye and many substances found in seemingly harmless gardening products are common substances that may cause allergic contact eczema.

Seborrhoeic eczema

Seborrhoeic eczema is thought to be caused by a reaction to a yeast called malassezia. Malassezia (formerly known as Pityrosporum) is a genus of fungi. Malassezia is naturally found on the skin surfaces of many animals, including humans. Individuals with seborrhoeic eczema have an excess of it. Seborrhoeic eczema causes inflammation on areas of your skin that tend to have normal surface hair growing from them and are more greasy or oily – such as your eyebrows, nose and scalp.

Varicose eczema

If you have varicose veins in your lower leg, this type of eczema affects the skin over and around them. It can be most severe around the ankles appearing as dry,flaky ,itchy skin, often affecting both legs and is common in later life.

Discoid eczema

Discoid eczema is disc-shaped patches of inflammation of the skin. It  occurs at any age, but most commonly in later life. The cause is unknown but it’s more difficult to treat that than other types eczema.It is recommenced to moisturize regularly with the Skin Salveation cream to nourish the skin and lock in the body's natural moisture defenses keeping it smooth and supple.

Eczema Symptoms

These may differ depending on the type and severity of your eczema. If you have atopic eczema, your skin may be:

• itchy or sensitive
• cracked or broken,or flaky
• dry,red and sore
• thickened almost scaly
• The more visible and complex symptoms of eczema are lesions
• Acute lesions are the first type. They are highly itchy, pimple-like solid eruptions (called papules) and blisters on the skin surface that are filled with fluid (called vesicules.) The skin beneath these formations is usually reddened. A watery fluid often oozes out of acute lesions. The skin layers may peel off (a process called exfoliation) or may get eroded.
• Sub-acute lesions are the second type of lesions. These are considerably less severe than acute lesions. They generally do not ooze fluid. The skin is reddened and peeling and scaling are present.
• Chronic lesions are the third type of lesions. Here the skin has thickened plaques, fibrous papules as well as lichenification. Adolescents and children who have chronic atopic dermatitis may have all three types of eczema symptoms simultaneously.

It’s common to get an itchy rash in the skin creases of your knees or elbows. If your eczema becomes itchy, avoid scratching it. Scratching can damage and break your skin, which can then lead to an infection.

These symptoms may be caused by problems other than atopic eczema. If you have any of them, see your Doctor for advice.

Causes of eczema

Eczema isn’t infectious, so it can’t be passed on by contact with sufferers
There are many possible causes of atopic eczema and these often affect people in different ways. You can inherit a tendency to develop atopic conditions such as eczema, asthma and hay fever.
Although eczema can flare up for no obvious reason, you may notice certain triggers that make your, or your child’s, atopic eczema worse.

Familiar triggers include:

• chemicals such as detergents,particularly fabric conditioners, soaps,shampoo many deodorants!.The residue of laundry powder after washing is known to be a major contributing factor in aggravating already dry,itchy,sensitive skin.The Skin Salveation laundry powder has been shown to be a significant benefit in the challenge to beat eczema .
• irritants such as pollen, house dust mites, mould or pet fur or hair
• metal allergies  Allergy to nickel is a phenomenon (Nickel Allergy dermatitis and/or eczema) which has assumed growing importance in recent years, largely because of the introduction of cheap  jewellery in which the underlying metal layer consists of nickel. 10 to 12% of the female population and 6% of the male population are estimated to be allergic to nickel. In fact the allergy is not caused by nickel itself but by the nickel salts which are formed under the effect of perspiration in contact with the piece of jewellery piece or watch.
• There is no connection between pure gold and allergies,although on cheaper jewellery containing even a very small percentage of Nickel there is still a risk of irritation
• rough clothing
• Fabrics, such as wool. Simply that a fabric is "natural" does not necessarily mean  it is "safe" for people with skin allergies. Wool is one example of a natural fabric that can cause intense irritation to atopic eczema sufferers. The reason for this appears to be the irritating effect of the wool fibres. Many of us, whether we have allergies or not, are familiar with the itchy feeling a woollen garment often when worn next to the skin, an effect likely to be worse in people who already have sensitive skin,atopic eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis.

Some synthetics. Individuals can different greatly in their tolerance of synthetics and natural/synthetic mixtures. Some,for example, find that the type of dye used with polyester fibres irritate their skin, while polycotton and cotton products labeled "easy-care", "crease-resistant", or "non-iron" have been treated with formaldehyde, a chemical that can cause a skin irritation.

• sweat combining with laundry powder residue in clothes
• stress self perpetuates creating more anxiety about personal well being which manifests itself in poor skin condition,leading to itchy,dry patches,red scaly plaques causing more itching
• changes in hormone levels, for example at different times,puberty or in your menstrual cycle or if you’re pregnant
• being run-down, for example if you have influenza
• bacteria such as Staphylococci
• Staphylococcus is a variety of bacteria that can cause a number of diseases as a result of infection of various tissues of the body. Staphylococcus is more familiarly known as Staph (pronounced "staff"). Staph-related illness can range from mild and requiring no treatment to severe and potentially fatal.
• There are over 30 different types of Staphylococci that can infect humans, many infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococci can be found normally on the skin,but more so in the nose (and less commonly in other locations) of 25%-30% of healthy adults. In the majority of cases, the bacteria do not cause disease. However, damage to the skin or other injury may allow the bacteria to overcome the natural protective mechanisms of the body, leading to infection.
• A swab test by your Doctor will reveal any evidence of the bacteria and the appropriate medication will be applied.

It’s rare but certain food or drink, such as milk, eggs, soya, nuts or wheat, may cause some people’s eczema to flare up.Some people find eczema relief in supplementing there diet with selected vitamins. Omega 3,derived from fish oils has been known to assist in the treatment of psoriasis. Supplements are covered later in this piece.

You may find the severity of your eczema problem varies throughout the year. Some people may find their eczema improves over the summer months and gets worse during winter.

Diagnosis of eczema

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine you. He or she should also ask you about yours and your family's medical history. Your Doctor will conduct a very simple test of your skin taking a swab sample of the infected area You will usually be treated by your Doctor but he or she may refer you to a dermatologist (a doctor who specialises in identifying and treating dry,itchy skin conditions.
Treatment of eczema.

Some children who get atopic eczema find it improves as they get older, although certain triggers may still cause it to flare up.Skin Salveation records show that certain events and times of life can cause sensitive skin to react .These include teenage years,(puberty),exam stress,job hunting,marriage/divorce!,mid life job insecurity and later years.

Record your symptoms

Many of Skin Salveation's users keep a diary about eczema symptoms to help spot any triggers that may make eczema worse.Our website includes a breakdown of our treatment and the timescale's individuals of experienced beating eczema Scratching will make eczema worse and make your skin feel more sensitive & itchy.You may cause damage your skin,causing it to bleed and become infected.

Resist the temptation to scratch. Keep your nails short, and if you tend to scratch at night, wear gloves when sleeping. Anti-scratch mittens for babies and young children can also be helpful. There are a number of recommended suppliers of these types of clothing on our links page.

 If you need to relieve a scratch, rub the skin with your fingers instead of using your nails. You may want to put something cold onto the area, such as ice cubes many people use frozen peas wrapped in a towel, to relieve the irritation. Do not apply ice directly to your skin as it can damage your skin.

Prescriptive medicines

There are a range of medicines available from your Doctor or pharmacist to help control your, or your child’s, symptoms of eczema, although there is no cure. Always ask your Doctor for advice and read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.

Emollients

Emollients are moisturiser's that soothe and add water to (hydrate) the skin. They reduce the dryness of your skin and ease itching. This can help to prevent flare-ups of eczema. Emollients are most effective at preventing eczema when they are used frequently, even when you don’t have eczema symptoms The Skin Salveation moisturizer locks in natural moisture and the Sodium Silicate within the cream creates a barrier on the surface of the skin. Sodium Silicate is used in clinical preparations for the treatment of damaged skin.

Many families with a history of eczema use creams in their daily personal hygiene regime.This is clear by the data collected by the team at Skin Salveation following the progress of some families for over 20 years.

You can apply emollients directly to your skin as lotions, oils or washes as often as you need. There are many different types of emollient, including aqueous cream or emulsifying ointment, that can be used on the whole of your body. You may have to try different emollients before you find the best one for you.

Steroid creams

These creams contain steroids, such as hydrocortisone, which reduce inflammation and help to relieve itching. There are different strength steroid creams available. Apply steroid creams thinly over your skin and use the mildest cream that works for you. You can apply them directly to your skin, but only on the areas that have symptoms. They’re usually applied once or twice a day. Spread the cream thinly over your skin and use emollients before steroid creams. Wait at least 15 minutes between applying them. Mild steroid creams are available over the counter, but ask your pharmacist for advice.
Stronger steroid creams, such as betamethasone (eg Betnovate) are available on prescription. Using stronger steroid creams too often, or on delicate skin (such as on your face), can thin your skin. This can make your skin bruise more easily. Always follow your Doctors's advice about using steroid creams.

Prescription medicines

If emollients or steroid creams don’t help your eczema, there is a range of other medicines your Doctor may prescribe you.

• Topical immunosuppressants, such as tacrolimus (eg Protopic) or pimecrolimus (eg Elidel) are creams or ointments that you apply to your skin to reduce inflammation. You may be prescribed these if other treatments haven’t worked or if you can’t use them because of their side-effects. These are new eczema treatments that don’t contain steroids so they may have fewer side-effects.
• Oral steroids, such as prednisolone, are available as tablets to treat severe eczema. You will be prescribed these for as short a time as possible but they should be used as a last resort.

          Antibiotics such as flucloxacillin or erythromycin, are used if your eczema has become infected.

• Antihistamine tablets are not often recommended, but if your eczema is stopping you from sleeping, they may be useful to reduce irritation and itching.

Hospital treatment

If you have severe eczema, you may need to see a dermatologist for treatment. This may include medicated paste bandages to soothe and protect your skin. They contain emollients and other substances, such as ichthammol, to help relieve itching. They’re usually applied to your arms or legs and act as a barrier to prevent scratching.

Wet wraps are cooling bandages that can help to soothe severe eczema. These are wet bandages soaked in emollients and steroid creams. Dry bandages are placed over the top. These wet wraps help to prevent you from scratching and allow your skin to absorb as much of the creams as possible. These are often useful when treating young children with severe eczema.

Refer to our links pages for suppliers of these very effective forms of complimentary treatment that work well with The Skin Salveation program. These include certain vitamins a list is included below.
For some people with eczema, ultraviolet light treatment known as phototherapy is helpful. This is usually given in hospital by a dermatologist under a controlled regime.

Oral immunosuppressant medicines, such as ciclosporin or azathioprine, are available as tablets for severe eczema.

The Natural way!

A real tested, skin care program effective in controlling eczema & psoriasis

Eczema can be managed by eliminating things that make it worse. You may find it useful to keep a diary of what triggers your, or your child’s eczema.when it flares up.

If certain food or drink causes your eczema to get worse, see your Doctor before you make any changes to your diet. Excluding certain foods from your diet may not improve your eczema and can lead to deficiencies of essential nutrients, calcium or protein. It should only be considered for children under the supervision of your Doctor or a dietitian.

There are many helpful tips in our  Skin Salveation free download report written by health professionals covering how a careful healthy diet and lifestyle can treat eczema successfully.
The Skin Salveation Program provides all the elements of a good skincare regime. Designed by Doctor Randell and Doctor Stephen Drew with the specific challenge to provide relief from the sensitive,itchy dry skin that everybody is familiar with as the onset of the distressing condition which in some cases is chronic eczema.

They used the skills of chemists recruited from World leading family healthcare companys. Tested on willing patients it recorded the highest success rate against any other product curing eczema.
Each part of the program plays a vital part in treating eczema.From pure laundry powder,through to gentle skin cleansing, to skin healing and nourishing moisturizer, rebuilding damaged skin and creating a natural barrier to irritants.

Always remember any of these symptoms may be caused by problems other than atopic eczema. If you have any of them, see your Doctor ,then discuss with him    The Skin Salveation program as a suitable route to curing the skin problems.

Why not print off the free download from the site and take it with you to your next consultation. Doctors have the discretion to prescribe non listed remedies where they can see it is a clear option to help a patient beat eczema

The Natural Way- a word of warning from experts!
Miracle eczema cures do not exist!!!
Beware of home made eczema remedies- all of them!!!
No safe eczema cure can be made without research,correct ingredients,testing and the support of a substantial well known trusted company.!!!
What are the professional qualifications of the people running the organisation that makes the products.If they doesn't work,perhaps has a long term adverse reaction,what recourse do you have? are they insured for this risk?
Always check the formulations,make sure they do have preservatives,otherwise exposure to these products may put your children's skin at risk of harm, for life!!!
If you want a well balanced ,independant report on homemade eczema remedies and the risks they carry read thoroughly Professor Richard Corks article  Head of Dermatology at Sheffield University featured in The Independant.The Article can be found on our home page.It says it all!

Finally beneficial nutrients

The following are some vitamins and nutrients that may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of Eczema.

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B complex
• Vitamin B6
• Biotin
• Choline
• Inositol
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin F
• Sulfur
• Essential fatty acids (omega 3)
• Beta-carotene
• Chlorophyll
• Flaxseed oil
• Borage oil
• Aloe vera
• Mangosteen