The Truth Behind Eczema
Artikel ini ditulis semula daripada Health Today keluaran September 2013.
The Truth Behind Eczema
As prevalent as eczema is, most of us are still in the dark over this disorder, which has been found to affect as many as 20% of Malaysians; that's one-in-five people! The reason for this, Dr. Leong Kin Fon, a Paediatric Dermatologist at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, believes is that many people continue to be misled by the various misconceptions enshrouding this skin condition.
"A popular misconception is that eczema has to be caused by certain foods such as milk. The truth is that while food allergies may co-exist in someone with eczema, it isn't necessarily a causal factor", he clarifies. " Another long-standing myth has to be the one about the existence of a miracle eczema cream, Some patients tend to impatiently hop from one treatment to another, having the unrealistic expectation that they will chance upon a single cream which can cure their eczema once and for all".
With all these myths floating about, no wonder the number of eczema incidences is steadily rising, instead of diminishing. Dr. Leong stresses that people first need to understand eczema for what it is- its tell-tele signs, causes, risk factors and more. Only then can they effectively treat and manage this dermatological conundrum.
The Skinny On Eczema
Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis, with 'atopic' describing hereditary allergic conditions, while 'dermatitis' refers to inflammation of the skin. "Hence, eczema simply put, is a skin inflammation often occurring in people with other allergic disorders like asthma and rhinitis (a condition in which the inside of the nose becomes inflamed)". Dr. Leong explains.
"Eczema runs in the family. If both parents had eczema or rhinitis at some points in their lives, there's a 60% risk of their children getting the disorder," Dr Leong says, pointing out that eczema does have a genetic basis. " Eczema can strike at any age, but if often begins in childhood; 85% of eczema cases have been found to occur within the first five years of childhood."
Contrary to popular belief, atopic eczema isn't due to a solitary causal factor, but the result of irritable, hypersensitive skin and an overly active immune system coupled with certain environmental triggers. "The skin of a child with eczema is more porous, allowing impurities to irritate the skin more easily. It also doesn't help that the immune system of an eczema-stricken child is much more responsive than that of a normal child."
So, when such a child comes in contract with seemingly harmless environmental factors- which wouldn't elicit so much as a reaction from eczema-free children - such as emotional stress, dust mites or food preservatives, the eczema flares up. Other common triggers include skin infections, cigarette smoke, excessively hot and cold weather, pollen and harsh soaps.
Tell-Tale Signs of Eczema
"A classic sign of eczema is patches of itchy, reddish skin," Dr. Leong adding that small children tend to experience rashes on their cheeks, scalp, forehead and arms. In older children and adolescents, eczema normally affects creases of the knees and elbows, wrists, face and forearms.
The Truth Behind Eczema
As prevalent as eczema is, most of us are still in the dark over this disorder, which has been found to affect as many as 20% of Malaysians; that's one-in-five people! The reason for this, Dr. Leong Kin Fon, a Paediatric Dermatologist at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, believes is that many people continue to be misled by the various misconceptions enshrouding this skin condition.
"A popular misconception is that eczema has to be caused by certain foods such as milk. The truth is that while food allergies may co-exist in someone with eczema, it isn't necessarily a causal factor", he clarifies. " Another long-standing myth has to be the one about the existence of a miracle eczema cream, Some patients tend to impatiently hop from one treatment to another, having the unrealistic expectation that they will chance upon a single cream which can cure their eczema once and for all".
With all these myths floating about, no wonder the number of eczema incidences is steadily rising, instead of diminishing. Dr. Leong stresses that people first need to understand eczema for what it is- its tell-tele signs, causes, risk factors and more. Only then can they effectively treat and manage this dermatological conundrum.
The Skinny On Eczema
Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis, with 'atopic' describing hereditary allergic conditions, while 'dermatitis' refers to inflammation of the skin. "Hence, eczema simply put, is a skin inflammation often occurring in people with other allergic disorders like asthma and rhinitis (a condition in which the inside of the nose becomes inflamed)". Dr. Leong explains.
"Eczema runs in the family. If both parents had eczema or rhinitis at some points in their lives, there's a 60% risk of their children getting the disorder," Dr Leong says, pointing out that eczema does have a genetic basis. " Eczema can strike at any age, but if often begins in childhood; 85% of eczema cases have been found to occur within the first five years of childhood."
Contrary to popular belief, atopic eczema isn't due to a solitary causal factor, but the result of irritable, hypersensitive skin and an overly active immune system coupled with certain environmental triggers. "The skin of a child with eczema is more porous, allowing impurities to irritate the skin more easily. It also doesn't help that the immune system of an eczema-stricken child is much more responsive than that of a normal child."
So, when such a child comes in contract with seemingly harmless environmental factors- which wouldn't elicit so much as a reaction from eczema-free children - such as emotional stress, dust mites or food preservatives, the eczema flares up. Other common triggers include skin infections, cigarette smoke, excessively hot and cold weather, pollen and harsh soaps.
Tell-Tale Signs of Eczema
"A classic sign of eczema is patches of itchy, reddish skin," Dr. Leong adding that small children tend to experience rashes on their cheeks, scalp, forehead and arms. In older children and adolescents, eczema normally affects creases of the knees and elbows, wrists, face and forearms.
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