Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eczema Contagious? Eczema is not contagious and is not an infectious disease. It is a chronic skin condition caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune factors.
Are Atopic Dermatitis and Eczema the Same Disease? "Eczema" is a general term used to describe a group of skin conditions characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema.
Can Eczema Be Cured? While there is currently no cure for eczema, many people find that their symptoms can be managed through a combination of medications, phototherapy, skin care, and lifestyle adjustments to control skin inflammation and minimize the likelihood of severe flare-ups.
Can Adults Get Eczema? Yes, adults can also develop eczema. Although eczema often begins in childhood, it can occur at any age.
Are Beauty Treatments Effective for Eczema? The pathogenesis and triggers of eczema are not yet fully understood, involving genetic and environmental factors. Even among family members with similar genetics, they do not experience the same environmental exposures, contact with chemicals, skin trauma, emotional events, or environmental stress. Medical assessment and clinical treatment are crucial for managing eczema. Beauty treatments that lack clinical medical recognition and involve misuse or overuse of optical devices, or the use of undocumented remedies, can lead to unpredictable progression or worsening of eczema, and even trigger complications. For medical treatment of eczema, it is advised to seek assistance from a registered doctor.
How to Prevent Eczema from Worsening? To prevent exacerbation, it is important to understand and avoid your personal triggers as much as possible. Regularly moisturizing your skin, avoiding harsh soaps and detergents, and managing stress are also helpful in prevention.
Does Changing Lifestyle Habits Help Treat Eczema? Although the exact mechanism of eczema triggers is not fully understood, some known environmental factors can be stressful for eczema, such as exposure to high temperatures, contact with chemicals, and skin trauma (e.g., tattoos, eyebrow treatments, laser whitening, chemical peels, etc.). These should be avoided.
Does Diet Affect Eczema? For some people, certain foods can exacerbate the condition. However, this is not the case for everyone. If you suspect a specific food might be triggering your symptoms, it is best to discuss it with your doctor.
How to Seek the Right Treatment Method? Eczema should be clinically diagnosed and treated by a registered doctor. Many patients have a family history or involve multiple genetic mutations, and may also share genetic mutations with other autoimmune diseases; doctors will first inquire about the patient's and family's medical history and also establish if the patient has any other autoimmune diseases. Medical Assessment
How to Help Young Children and Adolescents Cope with Eczema? The appearance of eczema patches and flaking skin not only causes great mental distress to children and adolescents but also leads to peer exclusion/bullying; it equally causes great pain and guilt for parents. Parents are advised to first manage their emotions, understanding that the condition is unavoidable, and seek medical help for their child as early as possible to learn how to soothe eczema and effectively improve it in daily life. Once a treatment plan is established by a doctor, it is recommended that parents and schools communicate as much as possible, instill correct and positive values, maintain an optimistic and proactive attitude, and patiently adhere to medical treatment. At the same time, parents can refer to examples of other people with eczema to encourage and rebuild self-confidence and self-care.
Focus on the Future: A Look at the Eczema Research and Treatment Landscape
From: National Eczema Association ; Source: https://youtu.be/khp4BYzCjyE?si=LRxd9K6-gD6QMyM1