Is your rash red and irritating because of eczema?

Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is indeed a chronic skin condition that flares up now and then. Specific triggers may cause yours to erupt.

• Eczema can lead to:
• Your skin has dry, itchy spots.
• Skin that is sensitive or irritated
• oozing or crusted-over patches
• Inflammation in the outbreak area

Eczema can cause mild to severe itching. Eczema patients may scrape their skin till it bleeds.

Schedule an appointment with the doctor if you suspect you have eczema. Make a list of when your breakouts occur and what tends to cause them before your visit. Bring your documents to your visit and tell your doctor about them.

If you suspect a food allergy as the source of a rash on your child's skin, notify the doctor and inquire about diagnosing probable food allergies.

The doctor will check your skin and perhaps administer tests during your session. Here's what to anticipate:

• Medical History and Physical Exam
• Your doctor will first examine your skin and review your medical history.
• Your doctor may inquire about the following:
• When, where, and how frequently do you get itching patches?
• Do you suffer from hay fever or are you sensitive to pet dander or hair?
• Do you have skin breakouts when you're under a lot of stress?
• Do rashes appear if your skin comes into contact with something unpleasant, such as scratchy clothing or cleaning products?
• Do you get flare-ups when your flaking skin, or if the weather is extremely dry, hot, or cold?

Tests that might be used to rule out some other issues

Eczema can be diagnosed without a lab test by your doctor. A simple skin examination and assessment of your health information should suffice. If your doctor isn't sure if eczema is the source of your skin condition, he or she may order testing to rule off and diagnose anything else, such as diabetes. To assess if particular allergy triggers induce a reaction on your skin, doctors employ skin patches or skin prick investigations, for example. You may also require testing to rule out any underlying problems that are causing your eczema.

Following an Eczema Diagnosis

Eczema has no cure, but your doctor can advise you on how to manage and treat it on your own. They could advise you to:

• You should not scrape your skin.
• To relieve itching, apply a steroid or antihistamines cream.
• Apply moisturizer to your skin several times a day.
• Soak your skin in a warm bath with colloidal oats or baking soda.
• Reduce the length of your showers or baths. Check to see whether the water is too hot.
• Trim and file your fingernails to a clean finish. Scratching your itchy regions might help you avoid injuring your skin.

You may be given a prescription for anti-itch and anti-skin-flare medications. If you require more specialist testing or treatments, your doctor may recommend you to a specialist or allergist.