Atopic dermatitis (AD for short, also known as eczema) is an itchy, inflammatory skin condition with characteristics that can differ from individual to individual. People with eczema can suffer from symptoms ranging from dry, flaky skin to developing rough leathery patches to even oozing, red, and blustery skin. Millions of people around the world are affected by this condition, but a significant number of them have or had developed eczema during childhood or infancy and disappeared after adolescence. This is why many eczema products now are meant for babies.
But that doesn’t mean that it’s entirely impossible for older people to develop eczema. Whilst it’s most common in children, it’s still possible for people to retain eczema until adulthood, or (much rarer) develop it during adulthood. When adults over the age of eighteen develop this disease, it is called adult-onset eczema.
Learning more about adult-onset eczema
The idea of adults developing eczema is quite new and not yet fully understood. The term “adult-onset eczema” was not coined until the year 2000, when scientists first observed that a small percentage of those who were affected by eczema were adults. Only very few reports and studies have been done on how eczema influences adults, compared to the more comprehensive research on childhood eczema.
But this might be poised to change soon. Cases of eczema have been steadily rising over the years, and adult-onset eczema has been part of this rise. If you’re an adult individual who has eczema, you may want to learn more about the condition and various ways you can treat and manage it, aside from the usual eczema creams and other treatments for soothing the skin.
Diagnosing adult-onset eczema
Nearly one-fourth of all adults with eczema will have developed it in adulthood. But as adult-onset eczema is so often misunderstood and not as known, a diagnosis can elude even the most experienced of doctors. Why is that? Like eczema that has developed in childhood, those with adult-onset eczema will experience some symptoms common to childhood eczema like itchy red skin. Much of the confusion lies in the fact that people who develop eczema in adulthood are less likely to have a family history of eczema and don’t exhibit other things commonly associated with eczema. This makes it a bit more difficult to tell whether an adult may have eczema and one can be misdiagnosed with other similar skin conditions.
If you’re someone who suspects whether they may have adult-onset eczema, don’t waste time. Contact a dermatologist or your doctor before your symptoms worsen, and start making adjustments to your lifestyle so you can manage your symptoms and live a happy, healthier life. Your doctor can prescribe the right treatments for more severe cases and also be able to recommend good eczema moisturisers and other skincare products to keep your skin protected.
Living your life with eczema
The people most prone to adult-onset eczema are individuals aged over sixty years old. This is because, as you age, your skin tends to get looser and drier. Your cells tend to be unable to retain moisture and this can lead to dryness and itchiness. For elderly people, eczema can affect them quite badly because aged skin is more vulnerable to breakage and skin infections. One has to be careful with what products and skin treatments to try out.
The best skincare products for your skin would be natural eczema balms and moisturisers to help rehydrate your skin. These are great for people with milder cases of eczema, but for those with more severe cases, you may need to look for stronger treatments like corticosteroid pills and oral medication.
One thing about eczema that makes it so hard to treat is that eczema triggers and causes can vary from person to person. Allergies, stress, and other environmental factors can be the cause of an eczema flare up. Remember to keep away from things that you are allergic to and always maintain good hygiene to avoid the worst of eczema.
Get the best baby eczema creams and other skincare products in Singapore by checking out Mummybrand, an online shop dedicated to providing skin relief for all ages. Learn more about proper skincare with us!
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