Eczema is the generic term assigned to skin-inflammatory conditions. Presently, it has no cure but the symptoms can be managed with proper treatment. It also isn’t transmittable, so you can’t get it or pass it through contact with another person.
A condition like eczema can leave you frustrated and constantly worried about your appearance. This has been the case in teenagers who feel it left a toll on their self-esteem.
Presently, eczema affects about 11 to 20% of children and 5 to 10% of adults in the U.K. It has been linked to a number of factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, and even environment. Let’s take a look at these factors and the impact they have as regards eczema.
Age
Eczema occurs more in children and adolescents under the age of 18. While the severity of the condition varies from person to person, you stand a higher chance of developing it as a child.
A considerable percentage of kids develop the disease before turning 6, but a large number of these kids outgrow the condition by adulthood. Eczema isn’t always linked to childhood; about 23%of adults affected reportedly stated that it showed up in their adult years. But, most adults with eczema claimed that the condition developed before they turned 40.
Gender
Eczema reportedly affects more women than men. This is not directly linked with the physical or gender differences between men and women. It has more to do with the activities both genders are involved with.
Hand eczema, for example, affects more people in occupations such as catering and hairdressing. This shows that eczema cases are higher in female-dominated lines of work.
Ethnicity
Native Americans and Asians or Pacific Islanders are affected the most by eczema. Caucasians follow while African Americans or Blacks are least likely to be affected.
A family history of eczema also puts you at greater risk of having the disease due to genetic changes. The result of this is that it develops more in certain ethnicities. Studies have shown that children born outside the U.S are less likely to develop the disease.
Environment
Living in urban areas puts you at a greater risk of developing eczema. This could be due to the presence of vehicle pollutants and fuels in such settings. As a result, eczema is a lot more prevalent in developed countries.
The exact cause of eczema isn’t known but it could be triggered by factors such as:
- Respiratory infections
- Extremes in temperature
- Rough materials
- Stress
When stress hormones are released in large amounts, they cause inflammation and worsen eczema symptoms. Also, the more you stress, the more likely you are to scratch. Relaxation techniques can help in easing stress. These techniques also relieve eczema symptoms.
True, the symptoms such as itching, dry skin, and scaly patches can get very difficult to tolerate. There are several treatment options you could try, such as moisturizers, wet wraps, or calamine lotion. These simple remedies should grant some relief.
You could also try using medications as prescribed by a doctor. Overall, you should constantly remember that eczema doesn’t define who you are; your true beauty lies within!