What Is eczema?
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that makes parts of your skin red, abrasive and painful. Usually, the skin becomes flaky, though it can sometimes become slightly swollen as well. Eczema can also cause the skin to feel itchy. However, if you scratch the skin it may bleed, which can worsen the condition. Eczema is a general term for skin inflammation and it is often caused by an allergic reaction. The most common eczema related skin inflammation is atopic dermatitis. If you are interested in an eczema treatment you can consult one of our highly trained Manhattan dermatologists to see what eczema treatment is right for you.
What causes eczema?
Doctors still do not know what the exact cause of eczema is. It is thought that the barrier function of the skin does not function properly, which causes it to become red, itchy and swollen. Research has shown that people who suffer from atopic eczema have a hereditary genetic defect that results in abnormalities in certain proteins that normally should support the barrier function of the skin. It can also be related to the malfunctioning (overreaction) of the immune system. Some forms of eczema are also caused by external factors that cause a possible allergic reaction, such as to soap, cosmetics, washing powder, fabric softener, cleaning products, jewelry, sweat, (change of) temperature or dust mites. Our dermatologists can diagnose eczema during a consultation at out office in Manhattan.
What are the symptoms of eczema?
With eczema, the skin looks red, slightly swollen and flaky. When the eczema is acute the skin will have a red color. When it concerns chronic eczema, the skin is dryer, flakier, and can have a lighter color. Eczema can occur anywhere on the body, but is most common on the face, neck, elbows, wrists, knees, ankles and nose. Eczema is not contagious, contrary to what many people think. Because eczema is usually an uncomfortable condition and typically looks unattractive, many people look for an effective eczema treatment at our office in Manhattan.
Different types of eczema
There are different types of eczema that have their own set of symptoms, root causes and eczema treatments, such as:
- Atopic eczema
- Stasis dermatitis
- Allergic contact eczema
- Irritating contact eczema
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Nummular eczema
To find the right eczema treatment, it is important to diagnose the type of eczema you are suffering from. Our board certified dermatologists can diagnose your type of eczema during a consultation at our Advanced Dermatology office in Manhattan.
Is there a treatment for eczema?
If you suffer from eczema, the first step is to define the type of eczema and find the root of the cause. You can make an appointment with one of our expert dermatologists at our clinic in Manhattan to find an appropriate eczema treatment in your case. Just fill out the contact form below or call us to schedule your consultation. We look forward to meeting you at our practice.
