ECZEMA Or DERMATITIS

It is a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin causing a distinctive pattern of symptoms such as itching, scaling, thickening of skin and discoloration of skin.

Causes:

•          Heredity.

•          Can be associated with asthma.

•          Allergic – dust mites, detergents, rubber, nickel plated jewellery.

•          Stress – physical or emotional.

•          In babies diaper rash or napkin eczema is possible.

Sign and symptoms:

•          Intense itching.

•          Dry thickened skin usually on wrists, face, knees, and elbows.

•          Small eruptions and blisters that may ooze fluid.

•          Occasional redness and scaling.

•          Rash.

•          Dry leathery skin areas.

•          Skin is abnormally dark or light in color then the normal skin.

•          Raw areas of the skin from scratching.

Dietary management:

Avoid:

•          Do not scratch especially with long nails. It may lead to secondary infection.

•          Avoid foods you are allergic to.

•          Avoid nickel plated jewellery, cosmetics, and other articles that give you skin complaints.

•          Do not self medicate.

Do:

•          You can apply non-medicated ointments like petroleum jelly to soothe the irritation.

•          Practice yoga will help to relax and de-stress yourself.

•          When washing or bathing, keep water contact as brief as possible and use less soap than usual. After bathing, apply lubricating cream on the skin while it is damp.

•          Avoid eggs, fish, peanuts and soy.

•          Avoid dairy products, sugar, white flour, fried foods and processed foods.

•          Avoid the excess fat from meat – buy lean and preferably organic.

•          Avoid sugar, gluten (wheat, barley, rye and oats) and raw eggs.

•          Avoid soft drinks and oranges (if allergic to oranges).

Consume:

•          Drink plenty of water.

•          Consume lots of fresh and raw fruits and vegetables.

•          Eat a generally healthy diet, including five portions of vegetables per day, brown rice, millet, oily fish and a little fruit (no oranges).

•          Consume diet rich in vitamin A and zinc, helps in regeneration of the skin.

•          Diet rich in vitamin A:

–          Liver oils of fish, egg, milk and milk products,

–          Yellow orange colored fruits and vegetables; green leafy vegetables are good source of - carotene.

•          Foods rich in zinc:

–          Shellfish, beef and other red meats, eggs and seafood, nuts, sea plants especially Japanese sea plants.

•          Increase intake of vitamin C, it helps maintain healthy skin:

–          Milk and milk products, citrus fruits, green vegetables

–          Fruits and vegetables when fresh have maximum of vitamin C.

•          Have coriander leaves frequently, its high in vitamin C and helps to maintain healthy skin.

•          You can have 3-4 strands of saffron in milk, it is beneficial for skin.

•          Basil leaves (tulsi) are said to be helpful in skin ailments, eat 3-4 fresh leaves daily.

•          Breast feed your child; breast milk increases the immunity of your child and helps preventing eczema in future.

Consult physician:

•          In case of prolonged duration or change in rash pattern take physicians opinion immediately.

•          If symptoms get worse or if you see any Signs of infection (fever, redness of the affected area, pain) occur, see your physician immediately.