One in 12 adults are diagnosed with the condition, while one in five kids have to endure the pain of regular flare-ups <\/p>\n
It is painful, distracting and can irritate to the point of despair. <\/p>\n
One in 12 adults are forced to endure the misery of eczema and in kids the condition is even more common, affecting one in five youngsters. <\/p>\n
We reveal more about the skin condition, what causes it and how sufferers can ease their symptoms. <\/p>\n
Getty Images <\/p>\n
Also known as dermatitis, eczema is a common dry skin condition. <\/p>\n
Though common it is rare for two sufferers to experience the same symptoms and discomfort. It is a highly varied condition and comes in many forms. <\/p>\n
Despite the fact it causes, often unbearable, itching, the condition is not contagious, and so cannot be caught from someone suffering a flare-up. <\/p>\n
In mild cases, a persons skin is dry, scaly, red and itchy. <\/p>\n
But, in more severe cases there can be weeping, crusting and bleeding sores as a result. <\/p>\n
The constant compulsion to itch can leave the skin split and bleeding and also leaves it open to infection. <\/p>\n
Eczema affects people of all ages, but is typically diagnosed in children. <\/p>\n
Many young sufferers will grow out of their condition as they get older. <\/p>\n
But, in many cases flare ups in adulthood can happen. <\/p>\n
In the UK one in five children is diagnosed with eczema, while one in 12 adults live with the condition. <\/p>\n
Getty Images <\/p>\n
Atopic eczema is a genetic condition, which means it is inherited. <\/p>\n
Its caused by the interaction of a number of genes and environmental factors. <\/p>\n
In most cases there is a family history of the condition, or of other atopic conditions, which include asthma or hayfever. <\/p>\n
The skin is the bodys largest organ, providing a strong and effective barrier to protect the body from infections and irritation. <\/p>\n
Skin is made up of a thin outer layer, an elastic middle layer, and a fatty layer at the deepest level. <\/p>\n
Each layer contains skin cells, water and fats all of which help maintain and protect the skin. <\/p>\n
Healthy skin is moisturised by fats, oils and plumped up with adequate water levels. <\/p>\n
In eczema sufferers, the skin fails to produce the necessary levels of fats and oils, and it is less able to retain water. <\/p>\n
The result is, the bodys protective layer, isnt as good as it could be. <\/p>\n
Getty Images <\/p>\n
Dry skin is more liable to crack and as a result infections, bugs and germs can get into the cracks. <\/p>\n
Many everyday products can aggravate the condition, as some soaps and cleaning products remove oil from a persons skin. <\/p>\n
Keeping the skin moisturised using emollients or medical moisturisers is the key to managing all forms of the condition. <\/p>\n
In some cases, doctors will prescribe topical steroids to bring aggressive flare ups under control. <\/p>\n
Source: National Eczema Society <\/p>\n
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Brave psoriasis sufferer shares powerful photograph revealing the scaly skin underneath her perfect make-up <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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\nWhat is eczema, what causes it and how can you treat the painful ... - The Sun<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"