eczema

"Eczema is a general skin term used to describe a variety of rashes where the skin may be itchy, red & inflamed, weepy or blistering, dry, scaly and thickened. One very common example is allergic contact dermatitis. Categorized as an overactive immune system disorder, eczema affects up to 20% of the world’s population (about 1 billion people). It is not contagious.

Although eczema can develop any place on the body, it typically appears on the hands, wrists, arms, neck, upper chest, face and backs of knees. The worst symptom for many is the intense itch which leads to the itch/scratch cycle: you itch and you
scratch … further damaging the skin and thus causing more itching. Emotional stress can provoke it as well as internal and external chemical sensitivities and allergies. "

apparently the condition may be worsen when the weather gets cold when the air less humid and dry, sweating at high humidity along with heat. or the irritant may be chemicals like detergents and stuffs. however, the cause for eczema varies from people to people and the skin may get dry and flaky [like mine now] doctors treat it as a form of skin allergy which cannot be cured. the GP i consulted didnt even know about this type of skin condition.

the irritation can be curbed by watching one's diet. introduce unsaturated oil, omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin A & E recommended by iVillage. though if the skin gets too dry, apply lotion or moisturizer may aid in reducing the itch. worst thing to do when the redness and itchiness sets in is to scratch it. because this will induce the spreading of the rashes to a affect a greater area of the skin. use neutral pH soaps can help protect the skin too, as many shower foams in the market are highly alkaline. this removes our skin's natural slight acidity and will probably cause some form of irritation too.