ECZEMA RELATED SKIN CONDITIONS

The diagnosis of eczema can be made more difficult by the similarity of other skin conditions to eczema. Proper treatment of the skin requires a proper and correct diagnosis of the skin condition.

If your skin condition is located in the facial area, you may be suffering from rosacea, acne, and seborrheic dermatitis, atopic or contact eczema. Understanding the differences in these conditions can make the treatment of your skin condition more effective. Making this process even more difficult is the fact that you can actually suffer from more than one skin condition at a time.

Rosacea is a hereditary, chronic (long term) skin disorder that most often affects the nose, forehead, cheekbones, and chin (Dr. Berasques). Groups of tiny micro vessels (arterioles, capillaries, and venules) close to the surface of the skin become dilated, resulting in blotchy red areas with small papules (a small, red solid elevated inflammatory skin lesion without pus, that is minor when the size is of a small measles lesion, moderate when about the size of a pencil eraser, and severe when the papule is the size of a small currency coin or the tip of the little finger) and pustules (pus-filled inflammatory bumps). The redness can come and go, but eventually it may become permanent. Furthermore, the skin tissue can swell and thicken and may be tender and sensitive to the touch. Note: Pustules are NOT pimples. Pimples have a bacterial component to their pathogenesis and are also mainly localized in and around the hair follicles. This implies that there can be no cure for rosacea or even an effective treatment for your rosacea and yet many have found ways to control their rosacea through effective treatment and lifestyle changes.

The inflammation of rosacea can look very much like acne, but blackheads and whiteheads are almost never present. Rosacea usually begins with frequent flushing of the face, particularly the nose and cheeks. The swelling of the blood vessels under the skin causes this facial flushing. This "red mask" can serve as a flag for attention. Telangiectasis is easy to recognize, characterized by the visible presence of capillaries, bright red in color. Diffuse redness frequently precedes the appearance of telangiectasis and is a constant flushed appearance. True diffuse redness is quite different from a localized erythema as seen in cases of sunburn, inflammation or over stimulation. With both telangiectasis and diffuse redness, the redness is not transitory and there generally is not an increase in skin temperature, but particularly there are no alterations in the tissue structure or biochemistry as seen in rosacea. The circulatory network of the skin is extensive and the capillaries are the smallest, most delicate vessels. During normal blood circulation the capillaries undergo constant changes. In between beats the pressure is relieved and the vessels constrict back to their normal size. This return to normal size is accomplished by the natural elasticity in the structure of the capillary. If telangiectasis is present, the capillaries' elasticity is deteriorated so they remain slightly dilated. The constant influx of blood perpetuates this slight dilation. The skin gradually becomes congested and eventually the capillaries become visible through the skin's surface. When it comes to telangiectasis, sometimes a person's lifestyle and habits can be the skin's worst enemy. In a fair, delicate skin predisposed to telangiectasis, a steady diet of hot, spicy food, chronic alcohol consumption and eating meals too quickly will promote telangiectasis. And many retinoids used for acne as well as many harsh soaps continue to aggravate the skin. Then there's cigarette smoking, which depletes the skin of vitamin C, essential for the formation of collagen, accelerates the crosslinkage of collagen and the hardening of elastin and furthermore creates a trillion free radicals, which destroy the capillary structure. To learn about the etiology and treatment of rosacea you may wish to visit Rosacea-Ltd.

Acne vulgaris (common acne) is a condition of the sebaceous glands of the skin. These sebaceous glands surround each hair follicle and produce sebum, an oily substance, to lubricate the hair. Acne usually appears on the face, back and chest.

Acne is the most common skin disease during adolescence and early adulthood. It peaks in females between the ages of 14 and 17 and in males between the ages of 16 and 19. Males are affected more severely than females. Eighty-five percent of high school students will have some acne. Ten percent of those with adolescent acne will continue to suffer from it into their 20’s and 30’s. And sometimes “adult acne” will begin in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s and later years and continue due to stress and fatigue which can cause increased production of hormones by the adrenal gland with increased levels of androgens. These hormones worsen acne. Six percent of females and eight percent of males in their fifties and later still suffer from acne. Acne affects more than 17 million adult Americans and approximately 60 million adults in other countries. More facts about acne can be obtained at The Acne Group. The Acne Group is a compiled information site built and strictly dedicated to providing accurate, reliable information on the treatment of acne, acne skin care and eliminating acne.

When it comes to an effective acne treatment, knowledge is power. Acne treatment can be achieved naturally without using harsh acid chemicals. Your main goal of acne treatment is to heal the skin and keep it healthy to prevent pimples or adult acne, etc. For the vast majority of people with acne, effective treatment can minimize expense and embarrassment while beautifying the skin. Alternative therapies continue to gain new respect in acne treatment.

Seborrheic dermatitis begins with dry or greasy scaling of the scalp areas, which become red, oily and may possibly cause itching. The itching associated with seborrheic dermatitis is not as bad as the itching associated with psoriasis. Seborrheic dermatitis is often thought of as a severe case of dandruff accompanied at times by an odor, which is caused by the buildup of bacteria on the scalp. Seborrheic dermatitis cannot be cured. However, remissions due to treatment or natural reasons do occur for varying amounts of time. More information on Seborrheic dermatitis can be found at the International Eczema-Psoriasis Foundation.

Another excellent source of information is The Dermatitis-Ltd web site which contains a glossary that defines commonly used dermatitis terms, including products and medications used in the treatment of dermatitis and other skin conditions that co-exist with dermatitis, such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis.