Facial Eczema – From the Causes to the Treatment

What is Facial Eczema and How Does it Present?

 

Eczema or dermatitis is the medical name given to a group of skin diseases as a result of an inflammatory process. This type of pathology can occur in various parts of the body, but we will highlight the facial area.

 

It presents as redness, itching, dryness, and a sensation of heat in the area of the cheeks, eyelids, nostrils, ears, and mouth and can extend to the neck. Facial eczema worsens by not caring for the skin according to the indications and receiving the wrong treatment, evolving into unfavorable symptoms.

 

 

Triggering Causes of Facial Eczema

 

There are external or internal factors that stimulate the appearance of facial eczema:

 

  • Family or hereditary cause

 

As in other skin diseases, heredity is an important factor when developing eczema, because it has been inherited from a close family link. Some eczema can be inherited from children, as is the case with atopic eczema.

 

  • Side effects by-products

 

It is common for eczema to develop as a reaction to contact with products that can easily irritate the skin. This generates irritative eczema in patients with a predisposition to the appearance of eczema.

 

If an unfavorable skin reaction is observed, it is recommended to wash the area with plenty of water, avoid applying the product and consult a dermatologist.

 

  • Allergic reactions

 

Some eczema can be triggered by contact or ingestion of something to which the person may be allergic. This type of reaction is called allergic eczema, they are mostly by contact.

 

 

  • Irritation from scratching

 

Scratching for long periods and doing it continuously can be the cause of triggering an inflammatory reaction in the skin such as eczema. Even scratching when eczema is active makes the condition worse.

 

 

What Do Facial Eczema Lesions Look Like?

 

 

Facial Eczema lesions are a combination of erythema (redness), and papules (raised lesions), and as the condition progresses, clear fluid-filled vesicles and scales become evident.

 

  • Primary or Acute injuries

 

When we talk about acute injuries, we mean that they have appeared a few days ago. In these cases the skin will look very red, it will be hot and with vesicles.

 

It is common for the vesicles to break and this generates scabs. Constant scratching can cause fissures and subsequent bleeding. At this point, the skin is in a vulnerable state to infections and it is advisable to act in time to avoid an unfavorable evolution.

 

  • Secondary or Chronic injuries

 

When the lesions are longstanding, the affected area will become dry, gray, and scaly. If precautions are not taken with the appropriate care to reduce symptoms, there will be a greater itching sensation and the need for uncontrollable scratching, advancing to a significant degree of inflammation, in which the skin will look thickened and with a parchment-like appearance.

 

 

Types of Facial Eczema

 

 

The most common is atopic eczema, but different types of eczema can develop:

 

  • Seborrheic eczema

 

This type of eczema comes in two distinct forms, childhood and adult forms. In children, it usually develops during the first months of birth, affecting the scalp and diaper area.

 

In the case of adults, the lesions can appear in different areas of the body, but the most affected areas are the scalp (known as dandruff) and it spreads easily to the face, being evident on the forehead, cheeks, and nose where you can see white and yellowish oily scales on the reddened skin.

 

  • Irritative eczema

 

People who have frequent contact with cleaning products develop irritative eczema. Continuous skin contact with chemicals causes irritation and damage to the epidermis (superficial layer of the skin), causing redness and itching.

 

  • Allergic contact eczema

 

It is caused when the person has contact with a product that causes an allergic reaction. Occasionally, it is necessary to have multiple contacts with the cause of the allergy for reaction occurs.

 

The factors that cause the allergic reaction are varied, they are common cosmetic products (makeup, creams, shampoos, tonics, hair dyes, colognes, perfumes, personal hygiene products) and medications that are applied to the skin.

 

 

 

How Can I Prevent Facial Eczema?

 

Although you already know what types of eczema affects the face, it is important to clarify the following question: How to prevent them?

 

There are certain preventive measures to follow to take care of the skin and avoid its appearance.

 

  • Avoid direct and indirect contact with irritating substances.
  • Avoid situations that can generate stress.
  • In the case of allergic eczema, it is important to consult a doctor to identify the allergen causing the reaction or outbreak.
  • Protect yourself from the sun and always try to apply sunscreen.
  • Make sure you moisturize your skin properly.
  • Protect yourself from the sun and always apply sunscreen SPF 30 or 50.

 

Also, it is advisable to make healthy changes in lifestyle. Certain eczema can be triggered by stress and the intake of certain foods.

 

  • Positive changes in Diet

 

Sometimes eczema is caused by a reaction to certain food products. If this is the case, avoid the consumption of products that may be triggering the problem (spicy and highly seasoned foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, vinegar, dairy products, sugar, sausages, etc.).

 

  • Decreases Stress levels

 

Stress is usually an aggravating factor in facial and body eczema. If you start to reduce stress levels, you will also stop having recurrent facial eczema.

 

Something that could help you a lot in this is the practice of yoga, meditation, or some activity that gives you pleasure and a state of relaxation. This will help you find ways to neutralize stress and even skip it when you find yourself in certain situations.

 

Natural and Over-The-Counter Treatment

 

In the presence of eczema, it is important to properly hydrate the skin and stay away from chemicals and irritating products.

 

Organic Aloe Vera gel and calendula have multiple uses in alternative medicine such as helping to relieve eczema thanks to their ability to reduce inflammation, moisturize and relieve the sensation of itching on the skin.

 

Applying over-the-counter ointments and creams is another recommendation that should be applied throughout the day to see positive changes in your skin.

 

  • Ointments and emollients

 

Dermatologist-approved brands are indicated to control symptoms such as itching while repairing the skin from dryness, tightness, and inflammation by creating a dense, protective layer that provides moisture and emollients to the skin.

 

VANICREAM™ has a complete line that prevents the appearance of eczema and if it is already present, it is capable of calming acute and chronic stages by improving the symptoms, texture, and appearance of the skin.

 

It is recommended to start the routine by washing the skin with Free and Clear Cleanser for Eczema, then when you get out of the shower, dry the skin with a microfiber towel, making very soft touches but leaving the skin slightly damp to apply Vanicream Moisturing Ointment all over the skin emphasizing the injured areas and finally, apply the Sunscreen Sport for Sensitive skin and Eczema.

 

Other creams that contain repairing ingredients such as honey, olive oil, essential oils, vitamin E and oatmeal also provide skin protection and regeneration properties. The anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, soothing, and refreshing effects make Eczema honey cream, Emily hot skin, and Emily skin soother cream effective options available to everyone.

 

 

  • Medical treatment

 

Topical corticosteroids are used for a specific time and in some cases also topical immunomodulators. The type of corticosteroid varies depending on the affected area and the type of eczema.

 

 

  • Systematic treatment

In severe stages, oral cortisols are prescribed for short periods and in special cases that do not respond to treatment, phototherapy and/or immunosuppressive drugs or systematic immunomodulatory drugs can be used.