Eczema - Types and Causes

Eczema effects 1 in 5 children and 1 in 10 adults, and the number is steadily rising. There are many different forms of eczema (also referred to as dermatitis).
Atopic Eczema - is a common condition. It is thought to be hereditary, though it also effects adults, it is most common in children and can often begin in early life and it may occur alongside asthma and hayfever.
Contact Dermatitits - there are 2 types:
i) allergic contact dermatitis - generally develops over a long period of time, as a result of regular contact with a particular substance. Common causes are perfume, make-up and costume jewellery.
ii) irritant contact dermatitis - usually effects adults and is due to contact with particular irritants to the skin, most commonly on the hands. Household detergants, toiletries containing sls and chemicals around the home or workplace are the main cause.
Sebborrhoeic Eczema - most common in adults and babies. In babies it is often referred to as cradle cap and is found on the scalp and nappy area, but can quickly spread to other areas. This generally clears up from the age of one onwards.In adults the condition takes the appearance of dandruff and can spread from the scalp to the face where flakes of skin can originate from the eyebrows. This type of eczema is often associated with yeat growth.
Varicose Eczema - This condition is more common in women and develops in later life due to chronic varicose veins in the lower part of the leg.
Discoid Eczema - with age the skin becomes drier. Discoid eczema appears as coin shaped red patches, usually on the lower limbs.

Causes and triggers are many and varied and are usually a result of an allergic response to food or other substance in the environment. There are also environmental irritants that may not necessarily trigger an allergic response, but can exacerbate the condition.

• chemical irritants - soaps, bubble baths, soaps, solvents, household cleaners etc
• environmental - dust mites, pets, mould spores
• physical irritants - clothing, climate
• foods - dairy, wheat, e-numbers

A safer alternative for eczema sufferers is to avoid toiletries containing the following:

• preservatives such as parabens, chlorocresol, sorbic acid and phenoxyethanol
• emulsifiers such as sodium stearate, calcium oleate, sodium laurel sulphate, polysorbate, cetyl alcohol, sorbital and polyethylene glycol
• lanolin and fragrances should also be avoided

Purepotions have created a 100% natural range especially for people suffering from eczema. Soothing and norishing ingredients such as hemp oil, olive oil, safflower oil, calendula, lavender and chamomile are used, no harsh steroids will found in these products as this is also supposed to exacerbate the problem. Visit our shop for the complete range of natural products ideal for eczema.