Many people prefer creams for the topical medication that dermatologists/physicians prescribe to treat eczema as a first phase treatment.
Ointments tend to be messier because of the petroleum base that is used in the formula while creams, lotions, gels, and straight liquid will absorb into the skin and don’t tend to get on things (such as clothing).
There are times that you will receive prescriptions for ointments, though. This is because certain medications are much more effective when a petroleum base is used rather than a water or oil base.
Creams are water or oil based and the two liquids combine, forming a suspension of oil and water in a 50/50 ratio. The medication within this base penetrates the outer layer of the skin (stratum corneum) better. Creams are very soothing as a general rule and also act as a moisturizing agent; in the case of eczema, these qualities are very helpful in alleviating the itchy skin.
Liquids are used as bath additives, paint-on medications (such as calamine lotion), gels, wet dressings, and lotions. Tar baths consist of a liquid (with tar as the active ingredient) which is added to bath water. Certain oils may be recommended as bath additives or as […]
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Eczema can appear in many different forms and one of the least known forms of the condition includes Gravitational Eczema.
Also known as Varicose or Stasis Eczema, Gravitational Eczema is fairly common in adults, and it affects the lower legs. Often, if the condition is left untreated, it can leave behind a nasty ulcer which is quite difficult to heal. So what causes this type of Eczema and is there a way to prevent it?
Gravitational Eczema and its Causes
This type of Eczema is generally brought on by high blood pressure and is therefore more common in middle aged and elderly people. You may also develop the condition if you have had varicose veins, phlebitis or deep vein thrombosis in the past. Although it is more common in older people, it can occur in late teenage years and women tend to have a higher risk of the condition since female hormones and pregnancy are known to increase the risk.
The main cause of Gravitational Eczema is down to the pressure on our lower legs. In younger people, as they are more active anyway, the return rate of the blood from the legs to the heart is fairly good, however the older […]
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In order to understand eczema, you have to understand your skin. The skin is a protective covering over the entire body; it is the largest organ you have and the most exposed as well. This combination of expanse and exposure give your skin that chance to be affected by a multitude of things that can cause it irritation. Trauma (scrapes, cuts, etc), environmental allergens, and caustic substances are the main irritants of skin.
The skin is composed of three main layers: the epidermis (outside layer), the dermis (middle layer), and subcutaneous tissue (inner layer). These all have the ability to react to irritants by inflaming (swelling, often becoming fevered).
Your skin and how it works
In the Epidermis, you will find keratinocytes. These are cells harboring a variety of chemicals which are released when triggered by various irritants. Appropriate chemicals are released depending on the trigger, such as the cells that react when bacteria comes in contact with the skin or pigment being released from sunlight contact. Inflammation is often another result of the release of these chemicals (for example, too much sunlight and you have slight swelling, redness and fever).
Another cell you will find in the epidermis is the Langerhans cells. These […]
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