The Truth About Eczema

Do you have dry rough scaly skin that itches and burns? It could be eczema. How serious is it? Let's get to the truth about eczema.

Is it contagious? No. Although it looks a bit like poison ivy, you can't catch eczema. It usually shows up on parts of the body that bend like your elbows and behind your knees. You itch then you scratch, and scratching makes the eczema worse.

Does eczema run in families? Yes. If a parent or sibling has it, their children are more likely to get it too. But it gets better for most kids by the time they hit their teens with only a few flare-ups in adulthood.

Can food allergies make your eczema worse? Yes. Dairy products, eggs, nuts and seeds, soy products, and wheat are the ones that often cause trouble.

Talk to your doctor if you think what you eat might be a trigger, and see if things around you like pollen, mold, pet dander, and dust mites seem to bring on your flares. You can keep that itchy red rash away. Take care of your skin, and stick with an eczema treatment plan.

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