Acknowledgements

viii

Preface

ix

Introduction

xi

1

Normal Skin and Eczema

1

What is the Skin Made of?

3

What is Eczema?

9

Different Types of Eczema

11

What does Eczema Look and Feel Like?

14

How is Eczema Diagnosed?

15

2

Childhood Eczema

18

Eczema in Newborn and Young Babies

18

Eczema in Babies and Children

21

What is Atopic Eczema?

21

Atopic Eczema and the Home Environment

30

Atopic Eczema and Diet

37

Adverse Food Reactions in Childhood Atopic Eczema

42

Infection and Atopic Eczema

46

Other Types of Eczema in Children

53

3

Eczema in Adults

58

Adult Atopic Eczema

58

Seborrhoeic Eczema

62

Discoid Eczema

65

Endogenous Hand and Foot Eczema

67

Venous (Stasis) Eczema

69

Asteatotic/Wintertime Dry Eczema

72

Lichen Simplex

72

4

Contact Eczema

74

Irritant Contact Eczema

75

Allergic Contact Eczema

81

5

Allergy Tests in Eczema

87

Test for Immediate Allergy Reactions

88

Tests for Delayed Allergy Reactions

91

6

Eczema Treatment

97

Topical Treatment

97

Oral and Intravenous Treatments

112

Ultraviolet Therapy

115

Complementary Alternative Medicine

117

7

Taking Control

120

Coping with Eczema

120

Tips for Managing Itching

124

8

Hearth Care for Patients with Eczema

127

Types of Care

127

Medical Personnel

128

Prescription Charges

131

The NHS Appointment System

131

Further Help

132

Glossary

134

Index

139