Eczema & Acne

What is eczema?

At its core, eczema is a common, non-contagious, dry skin condition which can lead to dry, scaly skin with some redness and itching, though in more severe cases the skin can crack, bleed, and/or crust. “It’s a chronic inflammatory skin condition involving a disruption of the skin barrier and an unbalance of skin microbiome including the over-proliferation of the staphylococcus bacteria,” adds NYC-based board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Marnie Nussbaum​.

What are the different types of eczema?

There are different types of dermatitis, including atopic eczema, allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, and asteatotic (due to very dry skin) eczema. When most people talk about eczema they usually are referring to atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema. Atopic dermatitis is common and tends to run in families along with asthma, hay fever, sinus trouble, and dry skin.

What causes eczema?

Unfortunately, a combination of things ranging from allergens (dust mites, pets, pollens, mold, and dandruff), certain foods (dairy or soy products, eggs, nuts and seeds, as well as wheat), certain fabrics (particularly wool and polyester) and stress levels can increase flare-ups.

“We still don’t know exactly what causes eczema, but researchers believe that it’s brought on by a combination of genetics and environmental triggers,” adds Mustela’s consulting dermatologist, Dr. Latanya Benjamin.

Another important factor is that eczema is generally a hereditary condition. “Eczema is 40-50% more likely to occur in children if one parent has a history of the condition,” explains Benjamin. “This increases to 50-80% if both parents suffer with eczema.”

Source: Elle.com