Eczema

Eczema is a localized inflammatory reaction in the skin that has several possible causes. It can be a reaction to contact with chemicals including some drugs, metals or allergens. 

Characteristics of eczema are red itchy epidermis and oedema of the dermis. Most often, the skin is dry and scaly, but sometimes in the early stages of eczema, the lesions weep and can become infected. 

One form of eczema, known as seborrhoeic eczema, affects areas around the sebaceous glands of the face, scalp and chest but it is rela- 

42 Better Looking (II) and Better Living (I) Medical Advances 

Eczema may be so mild that no treatment is required beyond avoiding known irritants and applying a soothing and protective ointment which keeps the skin moist and so reduces inflammation. There are many such over-the-counter remedies based on liquid paraffin and soft white paraffin, both of which are hydrocarbons obtained from refined petroleum and which contain nothing that can irritate the skin. Liquid paraffin is also called mineral oil and is available under a variety of trade names, such as Nujol, while soft white paraffin is better known as Vaseline. Emulsified mixtures of liquid paraffin and soft white paraffin make excellent skin creams. 

Steroid creams will often clear the condition and hydrocortisone can be prescribed under a variety of trade names such as Alphaderm. More powerful are the creams based on betamethasone esters, of which Betnovate is the best known and has been used for more than 40 years. If this does not work then the doctor can prescribe even stronger drugs based on clobetasol propionate, such as Dermovate, or similar active agents. There are several such creams now available and it is rare for eczema not to respond to one of them and be cured - and kept at bay. If the eczema is infected then various antibiotics, antivirals, and anti-fungals can be given to clear up the infection. Very 

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Nacconate 100 A lachrymatory liquid b.p. 25l°C. Manufactured from phosgene and 2,4-diaminotoJuene. Used for preparing polyurethane foams and other elastomers by reaction with polyhydroxy compounds. Produces skin irritation and causes allergic eczema and bronchial asthma. 

Although most nickel sensitization results from nonoccupational exposures, nickel dermatitis was historically a problem in workplaces where there was a high risk of continuous contact with soluble nickel, eg, in electroplating (qv) shops. Improved personal and industrial hygiene has largely eliminated this problem. However, there are a few occupations involving wet nickel work, particularly where detergents faciUtate the penetration of skin by nickel, where hand eczema may occur (126). 

Sahcyhc acid USP, EP, and other pharmacopeia grades are used medically as antiseptic, disinfectant, antifungal, and keratolytic agents. Sahcyhc acid is formulated in lotion or ointment formulations for the treatment of dandmff, eczema, psoriasis, and various parasitic skin diseases. Because the keratolytic property of this aromatic acid has use in the safe removal of dead skin cells from the surface of healthy skin, the acid is used in concentrated sahcyhc acid solutions or suspensions to remove warts and corns. In more dilute form, sahcyhc acid preparations have found use in dandmff and eczema treatment. Sahcyhc acid has been considered and found effective by the Advisory Committees to the FDA in various over-the-counter (OTC) dmg regulated uses. Among these are acne products, dermatitis, dry skin, dandmff and psoriasis products, and foot care products (24). 

Sensitizer A sensitizer is defined by OSHA as "a chemical that causes a substantial proportion of exposed people or animals to develop an allergic reaction in normal tissue after repeated exposure to the chemical." The condition of being sensitized to a chemical is also called chemical hypersensitivity. Certain chemicals have no immediate health effect. But if you are exposed to them several times, they can make you allergic or sensitive to other chemicals. A classic example is formaldehyde (HCHO). Typical reactions to sensitizers can include skin disorders such as eczema. When working with sensitizers, always use proper protective equipment such as gloves, respirators, etc. Once you are sensitized to a particular chemical, even minute amounts will cause symptoms. Sensitization is usually a lifelong effect. 

Salz-farbe,/. metallic dye, dye salt, -fehler, m. salt error, -fleisch, n. salt meat, -fiuss, m.. saline flux salt rheum, eczema, salz-fdrmig, a. saliniform. -frei, a. free from salt, salt-free. 

It should be made clear to people exposed to lubricants that good standards of personal hygiene are a most effective protection against potential health hazards. However, those individuals with a history of (or thought to be particularly predisposed to) eczema or industrial dermatitis should be excluded from work where, as in machine-tool operation, contact with lubricants is virtually unavoidable. 

More or less severe eczema may also appear According to Nawrooki and his co-workers (Ref 23), a concn of Picric Acid in air amounting to 1—17,5mg/m3 may cause severe poisoning after six hours exposure... 

Clioquinol—used for eczema, athlete s foot, and other fungal infections... 

Topical corticosteroids exert localized anti-inflamma-toiy activity. When applied to inflamed skin, they reduce itching, redness, and swelling. These drugs are useful in treating skin disorders, such as psoriasis, dermatitis, rashes, eczema, insect bite reactions, and first-and second-degree burns, including sunburns. 

Occupations associated with heavy sun exposure Inflammatory dermatoses in the area of the peels Eczema Urticaria... 

The impact of gender on the onset of anaphylaxis is age-dependent. In children, boys predominate whereas after puberty this relationship reverses (fig. 3). Similar observations have been described for allergic asthma but not atopic eczema previously [41]. 

Wollenberg A. Kraft S. Hanau D. Bieber T Immuno-morphological and ultrastructural characterization of Langerhans cells and a novel, inflammatory dendritic epidermal cell population in lesional skin of atopic eczema. J Invest Dermatol 1996 106 446-453. 

Bieber T. Braun-Falco O IgE-bearing Langerhans cells are not specific to atopic eczema but are found in inflammatory skin diseases. J Am Acad Dermatol 1991 24 658-659. 

IVcb CytotoxicT cells Same as IVb, also eczema, pustular ... 

FIGURE 62-4. Irritant contact dermatitis. Erythema and edema with spared areas on the back at sites in contact with an irritant in a 30-year-old male. (From Wolff K, Johnson RA. Eczema/ dermatitis. Fitzpatrick s Color Atlas Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. New York McGraw-Hill, 2005 20.)... 

The appearance of some BCCs is similar to plaque, psoriasis, or eczema, and these benign disorders are included in... 

Elder leaves are primarily used for topical applications as an emollient and vulnerary. They were traditionally mixed with tallow and made into an ointment for hemorrhoids, burns, bruises, sprains, chilblains, wounds, hives, eczema, tumors and gout. Elder leaf salve is reported to be as effective as cortisone creams. Elder is most beneficial in moving the stagnation associated with black-and-blue marks. Soaking cuts in a tea of elder leaves before applying the salve is another common first aid application. 

Alterative. Alteratives increase blood flow to the tissues, improving metabolism and detoxification. Elder s alterative action helps to improve many skin afflictions including boils, eczema, acne and erysipelas. Elder improves the secretions involved with many bodily functions. Parts used flowers, berries, young shoots. 

For improving skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, make a tea of elder with equal parts chickweed (Stellaria media), marshmallow root (.Althaea officinalis) and burdock root Arctium lappa). 

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