Dealing with rashes and eczema can be very frustrating and difficult. The dryness, itching, and other unpleasant symptoms can sometimes feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you can reduce your symptoms and improve your comfort levels by getting help from Dr. Ronald Jurzyk at Advanced Dermatology Center in Wolcott, CT.
How Long Do Eczema Rashes Last?
Eczema is a skin condition that causes you to develop red, itchy, scaly, or dry skin. If you suffer from this condition, you are likely to experience periodic rashes or flare-ups. During these episodes, your skin can become especially dry, sore, or itchy. These flare-ups are often triggered by stress, exposure to harmful environmental substances, or other issues.
A Frustrating Skin Issue
Since your skin is unique, your flare-ups may take a longer or shorter amount of time to resolve than other people’s skin problems. That said, some Eczema rashes may improve within a couple of weeks. Alternatively, more serious flare-ups may not resolve on their own. To fix this type of skin issue, you will need to receive professional medical treatment.
Your flare-ups can prevent you from enjoying your usual activities and make you feel unhappy about how you look. Receiving medical help can be a good way to decrease the length and frequency of your flare-ups and help your skin heal in a quicker, more efficient fashion.
What Are the Symptoms of This Condition?
There are a number of signs that may suggest that you are suffering from this skin problem. In particular, your skin may become red, dry, and itchy. In addition, you could develop swelling, bumps, and crusty skin. You may also notice leathery patches on your skin.
Certain health issues may also indicate that you are suffering from this skin problem. For example, you may feel very depressed or have anxiety. In addition, you could have sleep issues, asthma, and allergies.
Why Has My Skin Become Itchy and Red?
Many scientists believe that this skin issue is caused by the behavior of your immune system. When you come into contact with an irritating fabric, skincare product, or other triggers, your immune system may cause you to experience inflammation. This inflammation can lead to rashes and other skin issues.
Scientists also believe that this is a hereditary condition. In other words, if your parents suffered from this skin problem, you are more likely to develop flaky skin during your lifetime. In addition, having asthma and allergies can increase your risk of experiencing this problem.
When Does This Skin Issue Usually Develop?
It’s common to develop this skin problem as a baby or a child. In fact, many people develop atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema, when they are children. That said, people can develop this skin problem at any point in their lives, and many adults will begin to have skin issues at later stages in their development.
Will I Have This Skin Issue for the Rest of My Life?
Under some circumstances, you might suffer from this skin issue for a short period of time. However, in many cases, you will have periodic flare-ups throughout your lifetime. These flare-ups may become more frequent if you go through a stressful time in your life or are exposed to extreme weather, harsh products, or other triggers.
Professional medical assistance can help you manage your symptoms and decrease the frequency of your flare-ups. In particular, using moisturizers and other gentle skincare products will help your skin become softer and less itchy. Further, medical assistance can be used to help you identify foods, products, and other substances that trigger your episodes. Avoiding these triggers can decrease the frequency of your flare-ups.
What Issues Are Likely to Cause Flare-Ups and Other Skin Problems?
Since your skin and body are unique, you may respond differently to specific foods, clothing fabrics, and other substances than your friends and family members do. That said, there are some common substances and experiences that may be causing you to experience rashes and other skin problems.
Stress
You probably already know that stress isn’t very good for your skin. Unfortunately, if you are going through a difficult emotional time at work or at home, you will become more likely to suffer from skin problems. As your mood improves, your flare-up is likely to end, and your skin will become less uncomfortable and itchy.
Dry Skin
When your skin is very dry, you become more likely to develop itchy sensations and other problems. Certain products can dry out your skin. In addition, taking long, hot showers or baths may cause your skin to become dry. Dry skin often intensifies during the cooler winter months. Applying a gentle moisturizer can be a good way to fix this issue.
Skincare Products and Makeup
Some products use very harsh ingredients. These harsh ingredients can irritate your skin and cause dryness, redness, and other problems. For instance, you might experience skin issues if you respond badly to any of the ingredients in your shampoo or lotion.
Temperature Changes
It’s common for your skin to become irritated when you go through intense changes in temperature. For example, you may experience a flare-up when summer begins and the weather becomes hotter. Alternatively, you could experience skin issues during the beginning of the dry winter months.
Eating Certain Foods
If you have allergies to certain foods, your eating habits can trigger a flare-up. For example, it’s common to have allergies to milk, soy, eggs, and other foods. If you eat these foods, you could develop redness and other negative symptoms.
Sweating
If you work out or spend time outside in hot weather, you will probably sweat during these activities. If you suffer from this skin condition, your sweat may irritate your skin and trigger itching, redness, and other problems.
What Types of Eczema Could I Have?
There are a number of different types of eczema. These skin conditions can cause you to experience a wide range of symptoms.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis a very common skin issue. Although the specific cause of this problem isn’t known, many scientists believe that atopic dermatitis develops when your immune system functions in an abnormal manner. If you suffer from this issue, you will probably experience itchy sensations and inflammation.
The majority of people who have atopic dermatitis will experience skin issues before they turn one. It’s common for this problem to go in and out of remission during a person’s lifetime.
Dyshidrotic Dermatitis
If you have dyshidrotic dermatitis, you are likely to develop blisters on the soles of your feet and palms of your hands. These blisters may burn and itch. This issue often occurs during the summer, and your skin problems may become worse if you move to a warmer climate.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
If you have seborrheic dermatitis, you are likely to develop scaly, yellowy patches on your face, scalp, and other areas of your body. You could also have issues with dandruff. This problem, which can be hereditary, is often triggered by weather and stress. If you don’t shampoo your hair frequently, this problem may become worse.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a skin problem that is triggered when your skin is exposed to an irritating substance or allergen. Common allergens include fabrics, poison ivy, laundry detergent, and makeup. Finding out which substances trigger your skin problems can be a good way to improve this issue and decrease the frequency of your flare-ups.
Nummular Dermatitis
This skin issue causes crusted, itchy patches to appear on your skin. These irritated patches are likely to develop on your lower legs, buttocks, arms, and back. This condition can last for a very long time.
Neurodermatitis
If you are constantly scratching your skin, you might suffer from neurodermatitis. This problem, which is also called Lichen Simplex Chronicus, develops when you scratch an itch on your skin for a long period of time. As you continue to scratch this area of your body, you might develop leathery and thickened areas of skin. These patches often appear on your wrists, forearms, head, and legs.
Getting an Initial Consultation
When you come in for your initial meeting, Dr. Jurzyk will carefully examine your skin and discuss all of your symptoms. He will also ask you about the activities that you were engaging in before your flare-up began.
In addition to discussing these activities, you should be prepared to talk about any detergents, skincare products, and supplements that you have recently started using. Talking about these substances will help Dr. Jurzyk identify triggers that are causing you to experience skin issues.
Receiving Tests
Under some circumstances, Dr. Jurzyk may use sophisticated tests to diagnose your skin issues. For example, he may ask you to receive blood work. You might also need to get a biopsy. During this test, a microscope will be used to analyze small samples of your skin.
How Can I Treat My Skin Issues?
After he has diagnosed your skin issues, Dr. Jurzyk will develop a customized treatment plan that is designed to address the unique problems that are bothering you. This may include prescriptions of topical or oral medication, which will differ depending on the diagnosis of your skin complaint.
Using Prescription Products
Many flare-ups are connected to allergies. If allergies are causing you to experience dry skin and other problems, Dr. Jurzyk may advise you to use cortisone medications and prescription moisturizers. Using oral or topical antihistamines may also improve the condition of your skin.
Avoiding Triggers
It’s common to experience a flare-up after you come into contact with an irritating food, product, piece of clothing, or another environmental allergen. To decrease your risk of experiencing flare-ups, Dr. Jurzyk may advise you to avoid possible triggers and stop taking long showers that could dry out your skin.
He may also ask you to moisturize your skin and use mild cleansers during your skincare routine. In addition, you may need to stop engaging in rigorous exercise that makes you sweat heavily.
Can I Go Swimming if I Have a Skin Condition?
Swimming in the ocean or in a pool will not transmit your skin condition to other people. That said, going swimming may irritate your skin and cause you to experience an uncomfortable flare-up. Cleaning your body after you swim and carefully patting your skin dry can decrease your chances of experiencing irritation. Applying a gentle moisturizing cream may also prevent your skin from becoming excessively dry.
Find Relief
Eczema and rashes can cause you to experience itching, dryness, and other frustrating symptoms. These issues can also cause your skin to look red and flaky. Addressing these issues will improve your appearance and minimize your unpleasant symptoms. To learn how we can help you improve the condition of your skin, contact us today at Advanced Dermatology Center in Wolcott, CT to set up an initial consultation.
