Three Eczema Myths Busted

February 28, 2009 by  
Filed under Eczema

Get Rid Of Your Eczema in as Little as 10 Days!

There are many myths that surround the skin condition eczema. Unfortunately the ignorance among the general population is tremendous. Knowledge about this common skin condition goes a long way in increasing empathy and support for those who suffer from it. Three of the most common myths are: first, that the cause of eczema is emotionally connected, secondly, that eczema is contagious and can easily be passed from person to person and thirdly, that eczema can be easily cured with the use of topical corticosteroids. Of course these are all myths because they are untrue and founded on no concrete evidence. Let’s bust each one of these three eczema myths one by one.

To take a look at the first myth, many people believe that an emotional disorder or emotional problems can cause eczema to develop. This is not so. However be aware that a build up of too much stress can indeed play a role in eczema flare-ups. A bout of stress that overloads the system can cause eczema to flare-up and it can make the intensity of the breakout very great. Try to find ways to relax and “chill out” on a daily basis and learn to handle the stress that comes your way in a manner that won’t excite eczema. Take a yoga class, learn to mediate, go for walks, listen to music, talk over your problems with a friend, relax with a good book and a cup of tea or spend some time pursuing a hobby you enjoy. If you find it necessary to do so then enroll in a stress management class.

The second myth, that eczema is contagious is completely false. Eczema is not a disease that you can catch from someone else nor can you pass it on to someone else in any way, whether it be by touching their hand, tapping them on the shoulder or touching a surface they touched. Due to its unsightly nature many people recoil at the sight of a person with eczema wrongly assuming that it is a disease that they can catch. Eczema is believed to have a hereditary link and be related to allergens and/or irritants in the environment. Don’t run away from an eczema sufferer, as they are every bit as normal as you are, but they simply have particular health considerations.

The third myth is that eczema can be cured very simply with the use of topical corticosteroids. Unfortunately it is not as simple as that. There are some viral infections that will quickly respond to the use of corticosteroids or antibiotic cream but eczema is more complex than that. There is no known cure for the skin condition eczema. Instead doctors seek to work with their patients to find ways to help manage the skin disorder. A case of eczema often responds well to the use of topical corticosteroids. A topical application helps bring down the inflammation and decreases the itching that characterizes the condition. Keep in mind that topical corticosteroids should be used as prescribed and only under the careful supervision of the doctor. Never apply topical agents with a heavy hand and never use them for a longer period than you are instructed to do.