Atopic Eczema and skin problems
Skin problems affect approximately 5.7 million people in the UK alone. The most common of these is dermatitis (or eczema as it is more commonly known). Eczema is actually not one specific skin condition but a group of conditions that cause inflammation of the skin. There are many causes and your age, sex, symptoms and frequency of occurrence can all help to determine the cause and help you manage the condition. We are most concerned with Atopic Eczema though you will find information on other types of eczema under Allergy Information.

Eczema and skin problems
Eczema is an inflammation and not an infection although secondary infections may occur if the condition is prolonged especially in the greasy skin areas where yeasts and bacteria take advantage of the anaerobic conditions of the skin. In the drier areas, infections occur if the condition is not treated and the skin is damaged by severe scratching.

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Atopic Eczema
This is by far the most common form, the result of an allergic reaction to environmental or nutritional elements. Chronic eczema is both environmental and partly inherited i.e. tends to run in families.

Atopic eczema is characterised by red, itchy, dry skin that is vulnerable to secondary bacterial or viral infections and the formation of “hot spots”. Atopic eczema appears first in childhood and may or may not disappear in adulthood where there is a familial tendency. In others, it often occurs after periods of extreme stress or illness treated with antibiotics that suppress the immune system.

Triggers of Atopic Eczema

Dust mites in mattresses, soft furnishings, carpets and clothes
Chemicals in fabrics, furnishings, herbicides, pesticides, toiletries, paints, inks and cleaning materials, jewellery and chlorine in tap water
Pets
Foods
Pollens

Dust Mites

Studies in the USA show that 70% of eczema sufferers are allergic to dust mites. The dust mite allergen is found in beds, sofas, carpets and other upholstery and to a lesser extent in clothes. If you are susceptible to dust mites, the patches of inflammation tend to appear on the back, chest, back of legs, face and neck. The worst irritation is at night not least because those areas have the highest concentration of allergen.

Chemicals

These are present in brominated flame retardants in carpets, permethrin and triclosan in carpets and furnishings to deter moths, fungi and beetles; bleach, phthalates, alcohols, SLES, and parabens in toiletries, washing powders and cleaners and chlorine in tap water. Using filtered drinking and bathing water, natural untreated fabrics and furnishings combined with natural and non toxic toiletries can significantly reduce the incidence of chemically induced atopic dermatitis.

Pets

Contact pet allergies are easily diagnosed. If your cat, dog or small furry animal licks you or rubs against you, you will see red welts appear within a matter of hours and sometimes minutes. Unfortunately, pet allergens are not just in the saliva, they quickly become airborne and stick to fabrics, furnishings and walls.

Foods

Food allergies are perhaps one of the most difficult and this is one area where effective diagnosis may require a medically approved allergy test. Trying to isolate the offending nutrient in all but the most extreme cases is very difficult (e.g. peanut or seafood allergy that often results in anaphylactic shock) although the most common offenders are milk, wheat, eggs and food colourings.

What to do to reduce your symptoms of Atopic Eczema
Treatment must always be tailored to the individual but we recommend that you:

Remove all known allergens and irritants
Use the nillergen allergy range to denature dust mites in mattresses, furnishings, in your washing and in the air
Use dust mite proof bedding cases on the mattress and bedding or use a dust mite proof duvet and pillow
Follow our other recommendations for dust mite allergy
Use organic or natural untreated fabrics for both bedding and clothing
Use the MediCleanse range of toiletries that can significantly reduce the incidence of chemically induced atopic eczema
Use other natural toiletries and creams designed to help relieve the symptoms of eczema
Use a water filter for drinking water and a shower filter or bath dechlorinator for bathing
Never allow pets in your bedroom and use the nillergen Pet to neutralise the allergens on the pet’s coat and the nillergen allergy range as above to neutralise the pet allergens in the air, on fabrics and furnishings and in the washing
Be aware that food allergy can affect your eczema. The most common food triggers are milk, wheat, eggs and food colourings though an allergy test should help to determine your specific food allergies

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Disclaimer: Information included on this page is intended for information purposes only and is not to be used as a substitute for consultation with a medical practitioner.

For further information on Eczema please go to Allergy Information.

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Gloves	Creams, Oils and Toiletries	Bedding	Other

Adults' and Children's Knitted Cotton Gloves

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