If you have skin that is constantly itchy, has rashes all the time, or has sores that excrete fluid, this may be a symptom of more than just dry skin. You may be suffering from a condition known as eczema. Millions of Americans suffer from eczema and if you are one of them, you need to consult one of our experienced doctors at Coastal Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. We believe in educating our patients to take an active role when diagnosing and treating skin conditions like eczema and you can visit one of our multiple convenient locations in Los Alamitos, Huntington Beach, Tustin, and Mission Viejo.
What is Eczema?
This condition is a form of dermatitis which happens when there is inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. It produces a weak outer skin barrier that is easily irritated and does not retain moisture well.
This term is often used for a range of recurring or persistent skin rashes that are characterized by:
- Itching
- Redness
- Dryness
- Flaking
- Crusting
- Cracking
- Blistering
- Oozing
- Bleeding
When lesions heal, sometimes there will be areas of temporary skin discoloration. When you visit our office and consult with one of our experienced professionals, we will help you determine what kind of eczema you are experiencing so that we can address it and help you heal.
Common Types of Eczema
There are three types of eczema you should be familiar with:
- Atopic Eczema – This is a hereditary form of atopic dermatitis that often runs in families whose members also commonly suffer from asthma and hay fever. This type of rash is noticeable on the face and scalp, inside of elbows, buttocks, and behind knees.
- Allergic Contact Dermatitis – This is an immune system reaction where the skin builds up to an allergic response over time as it is exposed to an allergen over and over. It could possibly be a reaction to chemicals used in commercial skincare products such as shampoos and soaps. This is especially true for commercial skincare products and other beauty products that use propylene glycol, parabens, or mineral oil as an ingredient.
- Irritant Contact Dermatitis – This condition is more common among adults than children since adults tend to spend much time with cleaning products. Cleaning products with harsh, corrosive, and harmful chemicals tend to cause irritant contact dermatitis. People suffer from this form of eczema are encouraged to wear gloves when cleaning the kitchen or bathroom in addition to switching to environmentally friendly cleaning products that do not contain any harmful chemicals.
Give Us a Call Today!
With over 45 years in the Southern California area, our skin care professionals at Coastal Dermatology and Plastic Surgery make it a priority to ensure that you get the right treatment you need for your eczema condition with 100% satisfaction. We want you to feel better about yourself and your skin, so give us a call today so we can help your skin look normal and healthy again.
