Skin Conditions Explained

Eczema

Eczema (or dermatitis) can affect anyone.  It is a non-contagious skin condition that sees the skin become irritated and itchy, often being red and sometimes swollen and blistered.  Eczema can vary in severity from person to person with different types having different causes and treatments.

There are many types of Eczema that can affect different parts of the body, the most common being hand eczema.  Eczema can come and go or it may be long standing.  Atopic Eczema sufferers may also have asthma or hay fever, often starting before the age of one.

General symptoms of Eczema include:

 Dry, cracked skin that has become sore and red

 Extreme itchiness (which when scratched may bleed)

 Sometimes blisters will develop

 Any part of the body, including the hands and face, can be affected

Causes of Eczema

Eczema commonly arises when the skin comes into contact with either a particular substance to which it has an allergic reaction to, an irritant or simply due to essential moisture being lost as a result of excessive washing.

Common allergens and irritants include:

 Fragrances usually used in soaps and shower gels

 Rubber

 Construction products such as cement

 Preservative chemicals

 Cleaning agents and detergents

 Dust

 Excessive hand washing

 Swimming

 Stress can also be a cause of eczema or irritate the condition further.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a non-contagious autoimmune condition (a condition that occurs when the body tissues are attacked by its own immune system).  Psoriasis causes skin cells to develop rapidly building up on the skin resulting in thick, scaly, crusty patches.

It is important that a doctor or a health care professional diagnoses your Psoriasis.

General symptoms of Psoriasis:

 Red, flaky sometimes crusty patches of skin

 Patches can appear anywhere on the body but would normally tend to appear on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back

Causes of Psoriasis:

 Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin condition, thought to be related to the sufferer’s immune system

 It can often run in families

 It sees the natural skin cell replacement process taking between 3-7 days, as opposed to the normal rate of 3-4 weeks

 Symptoms often start or worsen because of a trigger, e.g. certain medications, infections or skin injuries

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Ichthyosis

As with Psoriasis, Ichthyosis is also non-contagious skin condition, however unlike both Eczema and Psoriasis, Ichthyosis is genetic skin disorder and so a family history of the condition may increase the likelihood of you developing it.

It is important that a doctor or a health care professional diagnoses your Ichthyosis.

Characterised with dry, scaly and thickening skin, common symptoms of Ichthyosis include:

 Scales that are formed on the skin – this will main occur on the torso and legs

 Itchiness

 Patches of redness on the skin usually as a result of injury or irritation – this is commonly known as Erythema

 Peeling or painfully cracked skin

Causes of Ichthyosis:

 Ichthyosis is a genetic skin condition and will not be caused by irritants

X-tra Info

For more independent information about skin conditions and the safe use of emollient products click on the relevant link below:

Skin conditions

 Eczema

 Psoriasis 

  Ichthyosis

 The British Skin Foundation 

Emollient products

 Which emollient product is right for you and how and when to use it – here

Safe use of emollients

 It is essential that when using any emollient gel, cream, ointment or barrier cream you take care to ensure they do not dry onto clothing, bedding or dressings as this can make them flammable – here