Those who suspect they have eczema often have many questions.  Some of those questions are about the cause.  Please continue reading on for a list of frequently asked questions and their answers.
Question:  Did I do something wrong?
Answer:  Eczema creates the uncontrollable urge to itch and scratch.  The skin is irritated.  Unfortunately, this can result in a larger red rash.  That rash when itched more can turn into a patch of dry scaly skin or a blister-like sore that oozes.  At this point in time, you may want to shout out “what did I do to deserve this?”  The answer is nothing.  Eczema is a common skin condition.  Although you did nothing to cause eczema, there are steps you can take to treat it and prevent flare-ups.  The easiest being keep your skin well moisturized. 

Question:  What is the cause of eczema?
Answer:  There are many different causes.  Eczema outbreaks and flare-ups happen to different people and for different reasons.  Although there is no one cause for eczema, those with sensitive skin are prone.  As for what can cause trigger a flare-up, it can be certain foods, certain chemicals, the weather, and stress even plays a role.

Question:  Can I cure my eczema if I find the cause?
Answer:  Not likely.  While some individuals have one sole cause for eczema outbreaks and flare-ups, others have many.  You may find yourself itching and scratching after sweating from the hot weather, after using scented body wash, or after drinking milk.  Determining the cause of your uncontrollable itch and eliminating at a source will help, but you are still and may always be prone to episodes.

Question:  Will my children develop eczema too?
Answer:  Many adults wonder if they can pass eczema onto their children.  Yes, you can.  Medical professionals have determined that children with immediate family members who have atopic dermatitis are susceptible to the condition too.  On that same note, there are many instances in which it is not passed down.  In fact, some children develop and live with eczema, but have no prior family history.

Question:  How can I treat eczema?
Answer:  As stated above, there isn’t a known cause for eczema, but medical professionals are aware of trigger factors.  These make eczema worse or cause a flare-up.  In addition to keeping your body well moisturized, you can try to determine your trigger factors and avoid them.  Keep a daily journal of your day.  Document all the foods you eat, what activities you were doing, what products came into contact with your skin and so forth.  Compare your journal to an outbreak.

Eczema can be difficult to treat, but it is possible to seek permanent relief.  New research shows that all-natural treatment systems, such as Eczema Free Forever, are successful.

If you suffer from eczema, you may have a constant, unsightly rash.  Those who suffer from eczema also tend to suffer from embarrassment.  While you have nothing to be embarrassed about, as you have a common skin condition, some can’t help the feeling.  If you are new to dealing with eczema and worried about the reaction of others, please continue reading on for a few helpful tips.
   
Dealing with Eczema Embarrassment Tip #1 – Know You Are Not Alone

Although it may seem like you are the only person in the world with eczema, you are not.  In fact, someone you know may suffer from the same condition.  It can occur on all areas of the body, but some are easily covered with clothing.  Never assume you are alone when dealing with atopic dermatitis, as you aren’t.  In fact, you may be able to find local and online support groups where you can meet others.

Dealing with Eczema Embarrassment Tip #2 – Don’t Hide

As previously stated, some individuals have eczema outbreaks on hidden body parts, including the upper thighs.  You, on the other hand, may have bright red patches on your elbows.  Does this mean you should stay inside during the summer or wear long sleeved shirts?  No.  Hiding will only make dealing with eczema harder.  Those who enter into seclusion are more susceptible to depression.  Live your life.

Dealing with Eczema Embarrassment Tip #3 – Talk About Your Condition

If you suffer from severe eczema, your rashes are easily noticed.  In fact, you may even have scars from previous itching episodes.  If these are able to be seen, people will notice.  In fact, they may even whisper or stare.  Don’t hide from embarrassment, but use it as an opportunity to inform others.  Although you don’t owe anyone an explication, you can simply say “I have eczema.  It is a common and non-contagious skin condition.”

Dealing with Eczema Embarrassment Tip #4 – Focus on Seeking Relief

Eczema causes the uncontrollable urge to itch.  By the time you are done, you can have an open wound that is susceptible to infection.  Right now, worrying about what others think should be the least of your worries.  Instead, focus on ways to seek relief.  If you haven’t already, look at home remedies.  These include keeping the skin moisturized and incorporating skin-healthy foods into your diet.

Learn more about the relationship between stress and eczema and see why stress causes eczema to get worse.
Stress is a part of life that is unavoidable, no matter what age you are. There is good stress, which motivates you while there is also bad stress that, well, stresses you out and can give rise to a host of health problems. For those suffering with eczema, too much stress can signal a flare-up or even many flare-ups in a row if the stress is long term. Stress is defined as, "A mentally or emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition occurring in response to adverse external influences and capable of affecting physical health, usually characterized by increased heart rate, a rise in blood pressure, muscular tension, irritability, and depression.”
The good news in all of this is that there are ways to "de-stress” your life and by so doing, see fewer eczema outbreaks. First of, consider your day-to-day life. Are there stressors in your life that don’t need to be there? Are there ways that you can remove clutter from your life that won’t affect the whole of it? Think of what is most important and do away with the small, petty things that cause you stress and headaches.
Next, have a good laugh. Yes, laugh out loud. Watch a comedy, read a funny book, listen or tell a joke or describe a hilarious moment to a family member or friend. Laughter is not only a good outlet for stress but it also has a number of health benefits. Laughter activates the immune system, it lower blood pressure, and it triggers the release of the body’s natural painkillers, endorphins. Laughter also, as previously mentioned, reduces stress hormones, helps reduce pain, allows muscles to relax and is very helpful for the breathing process as frequent bouts of laughter empties air from the lungs. 
Find activities to do in your free time that allow you to set aside all of your worries and concerns and cut loose and enjoy yourself! For some people it may be getting together with friends and going to shopping, going to see a movie or browsing at a flea market; for others it might be a game of tennis, squash or an aerobics or yoga class; while still for others it might be an artistic pursuit such as painting, pottery or writing poetry. Even if you just want to relax in an easy chair with a cup of tea and a good book, do it! Finding ways to de-stress your life can help decrease your flare-ups tremendously, not to mention also improving your quality of life.
Keep in mind however that soaking for a long time in the bathtub will only bring more stress to the life of an eczema sufferer. If you find physical activities relaxing make sure to use your common sense. Take breaks, drink water frequently and don’t allow yourself to get too sweaty or overheated. By so doing you defeat your purpose and can trigger an eczema attack.
Finally, keep in mind that no matter what you do you cannot completely escape stress so make peace with the stress you have in your life and always keep it in perspective. Someone once said, "Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s all small stuff.” If you can adopt way of thinking then your stress load should be reduced significantly.

Are you the parent of a child was has eczema?  If so, get use to stares on the playground and whispering from other parents.  Unfortunately, many people mistakenly believe eczema is a contagious skin condition, but it is not.  In fact, you may need to start a discussion with other parents to stop the worry.

It is your decision as to whether you want to wait until other parents ask you about your child’s rash or if you want to start the discussion yourself. Either way, continue reading on for a few helpful talking points.

A great way to discuss your child’s eczema with other parents is to share what you know.  Eczema is inflammation of the skin. Basically, your child’s skin is irritated.  Tell other parents that there are many reasons for eczema, including the weather, airborne allergens, and contact with certain chemicals.  Close contact with the skin results in itching, only your child can’t stop, so a rash develops.  As dangerous looking as that rash may look, it is harmless to others.  Eczema is not contagious.  In fact, your child is at the most risk.  If they have an open wound that is left uncovered, the risk of infection increases.

If you don’t want to go all medical on other parents, compare eczema to traditional allergies.  When most of us think of allergies, sneezing and stuffy noses come to mind.  These are a body’s reaction to something it doesn’t like.  With eczema, the skin does the same.  Your child’s skin comes into contact with something it doesn’t like, something that irritates the skin surface.  That is why your child feels the need to itch and scratch, resulting in a rash.

The biggest concern that other parents have about eczema is their children catching it.  Regardless of how you discuss eczema, ensure everyone knows it isn’t contagious.  In addition to comparing the skin condition to allergies, compare it to a small cut on the skin.  It is harmless to others.  There is no reason why your child can’t be a normal kid and play with others because they suffer from atopic dermatitis.

Taking to other parents about eczema will help in social situations, but it won’t cure your child’s eczema.  Do to that, always be on the lookout for trigger factors.  In the meantime, use all-natural relief methods, such as moisturizer and skin healthy foods, to help your child seek relief.


Finding a cure for your child’s eczema may seem like a winless battle, but there is good news.  Research has shown that all-natural treatment systems, such as Eczema Free Forever, are successful at stopping eczema outbreaks.

If your child was recently diagnosed with eczema, also commonly known as atopic dermatitis, you have a long road ahead.  Although eczema is easily treated at home, there are many hard issues that you, as a parent, will face.

Nighttime Itching

You might assume that nighttime itching is the same as daytime itching for children with eczema, but it can be very different, especially in small children.  Although they do not fully understand the complications that can arise from constant scratching, children are aware of their actions during the day.  On the other hand, many small children continue to scratch in the middle of the night, without even being aware of their actions. This type of eczema is difficult to treat, as you cannot spend every night grabbing your child’s arm before they itch.

To combat the nighttime itching that is common among children with eczema, look for doable alternatives.  If dust is a trigger factor, keep your child’s room clean and dust-free.  If sweat is a trigger factor, dress them in light clothes and keep their room a cool temperature.  If you don’t know the cause, try to keep areas susceptible to itching, such as the arms and legs, covered.

Pain

An eczema outbreak starts out relatively pain free.  It typically begins with a simple itch that can’t stop.  Soon, your child may find themselves literally digging at their skin.  They mistakenly believe this will make the itch go away, but it doesn’t and it only gets worse.  Severe rashes and the open wounds caused by constant scratching can lead to pain and discomfort.  No parent wants to see their child in pain. That is why you must stop it at the source.  Work with your child and his or her doctor to determine your child’s trigger factors.  These are what cause the uncontrollable urge to itch.  In the meantime, keep your child’s skin well moisturized.

Concern from Other Parents

Although eczema and atopic dermatitis are common among small children, you are likely to get many stares on the playground.  This is most common if your child’s eczema rashes can be seen by other parents.  Although you should keep your child’s open wounds covered to prevent infection, don’t just cover them to please others.

“Is eczema contagious?”  That is a common question that many parents may ask.  Unfortunately, some parents don’t even ask, they may automatically assume it is.  You and your child owe no one an explication, as eczema is nothing but an inflammation of the skin.  However, you may want to spread the word.  As heartbreaking as it is to see other parents and kids point out your child’s eczema rash, it is a normal reaction that most don’t know how to avoid.

These are just a few of the issues you may face as the parent of a child with eczema.  Since your child is young and does not fully understand their skin condition, you must work with them to seek relief.