Is Your Skin Itchy, Dry And Irritated?
Check These Eczema Symptoms

Do you want to know if that annoying itchy patch of skin is eczema?

There are a number of eczema symptoms for you to look out for.

These may help you to work out if that rash you have may possibly be eczema, or not.

• Very Itchy Skin. Very annoying, but always present in Eczema. If it doesn't itch, its another condition

• Inflammation. The skin could be sore, red, look swollen and feel hot

• Dry Flaky Skin. Even if the skin isn't inflamed, areas will look and feel rough. It may be flaky and scaly

• Skin Blisters. Not always present, but can appear when the skin is damaged and/or infected. Wetness can occur if the blisters burst from being scratched

• Thick Skin. Tends to happen when long term scratching has occurred. The skin will be damaged and appear broken

Eczema in the early stages is classed as acute.

 The eczema symptoms to look out for are itchy, inflamed and dry skin.

When it has been present for a while it is classed as chronic. As well as the acute eczema symptoms, the skin will look thickened with possible breaks.

Blisters may also be present.

Visiting Your Doctor

As with any condition it is important to not try and self medicate. Visit your doctor to get a definite diagnosis.

Using the wrong treatment can do more harm than good. It is ok to use an emollient free from chemicals. These will do no long term damage to the skin. But if there is any irritation stop using immediately.

Other times to see your doctor include

• if a rash is persistent
• if your skin doesn't improve after doing your best to resolve it
• when dry skin is accompanied by redness
• when dryness and itching interfere with sleep
• if you have broken skin or sores, or an infection from scratching

Your doctor will be able to confirm if it is eczema or not. And also what type it is.

They may take notes of the history of your condition. Asking where it occurs and what you suspect causes a flare up.

They also look into your family history of the atopic diseases, Eczema, Asthma and Hay fever. As the chance of someone having Eczema increases if one or both parents suffer from it, or either of the other atopic diseases.

Looking at the condition of the skin is important. Eczema can look similar to other skin conditions. But an experienced doctor will probably be able to tell by looking at it. And by then putting all the factors together, make a diagnosis.

Then the treatment of your eczema can begin.

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