What is it?

• Eczema is most often seen in infants and children, but it can continue into adulthood or first appear later in life.
• Eczema may affect any area, but it classically appears on your arms and behind the knees. It tends to flare periodically and then subside. The cause of atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is unknown, but it may result from a malfunction in the body's immune system.

How do I recognise it?

Signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (eczema) include:

• Red to brownish-gray colored patches
• Itching, which may be severe, especially at night
• Small, raised bumps, which may leak fluid and crust over when scratched
• Thickened, cracked or scaly skin
• Raw, sensitive skin from scratching

How do you treat it?

Like any disease, even if there is no cure, there is almost always something you can do to manage it and take control. There are three main areas involved in the treatment of any disease:

• Conventional medicines
• Complementary medicines
• Complementary therapies

For information on medicines and therapies relevant to Eczema, make an appointment at Lynch's pharmacy, Broadale, Douglas, Cork on 021-4366923.

Learn all about the drugs used to treat the disease and any complementary medicines or therapies proven to help. Equip yourself with the tools to manage the condition and not be managed by it.

How do you live with it?

Certain adjustments may be needed to get on with your life, and often, some simple tips and advice can go a long way to making these changes. 

When you come to a Lynch's Pharmacy Clinic, we give you all the necessary information available to make your life more manageable and allow you to better live with your condition.

References

Eczema- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eczema

Eczema, a comprehensive review                                                                                                                                                      http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eczema/DS00986