Facial Eczema: Is Facial Eczema Embarrassing You?

© Michelle Howard Smith - All Rights Reserved

Facial Eczema is an irritating skin condition that can be very embarrassing.  As if the itching and cracking of the skin isn't bad enough, you now have to deal with people's stares.

What causes facial eczema? How many people deal with this condition?  What types of treatment are available?  Will those treatments work for me? These are good questions that you may be asking yourself because how can you begin a proper course of treatment for any condition if you don't know much about it?  Well, I have some information to share with you that I hope helps you...physically and emotionally.

If you are dealing with facial eczema or any form of eczema for that matter, know that you are not alone.  Approximately one in ten people in the whole world gets eczema at some point in their lives. Oh and get this, even animals get eczema.  Of course, that's probably no consolation but at least you know it's not some rare disease that you have been afflicted with.

My daughter also suffers with eczema periodically.  It's mainly on her arms but also behind her ears and most recently on the temples of her face.  She would feel really bad because it was causing her skin to discolor. What made it worse was the doctors would treat the eczema with cortisone shots that made the skin even more discolored.

Common Types of Facial Eczema

Facial eczema can be caused by a number of reasons but there are two primary types of eczema that affect the face:

* Atopic (the most common) - The forehead, cheeks and eye lids tend to be affected
* Seborrhoeic - The eyebrows, nose and scalp tend to be affected

In addition to these two types of facial eczema, a person can also get it from an allergic reaction to something that was transferred from the hands to the face. This is why you have to be careful to keep your hands out of your face.  One very popular skin care tip advises to keep your hands out of your face.  Of course, it can sometimes be easier said than done. You just have to become more conscious of it.

Another very rare way of getting eczema is through sensitivity to light but this usually affects elderly people.

Conventional Treatment for Facial Eczema

Even though facial eczema is annoying and sometimes embarrassing, there are a number of treatments available.  It's best that you evaluate each to determine which is best for you:

* Use low potency topical steroids (Caution: Steroids can cause problems if they get into the eyes as well as thinning skin, rosacea - another skin disorder and pigmentation problems)
* Check your diet & see an allergist for testing - Eczema is often caused by food allergies.
* Ultraviolet light treatment (this one scares me but it is one method used by doctors)
* Oral medication
* There are also natural remedies for eczema available

Whatever form of treatment you decide to use, make sure you aware of all potential side effects.  You don't want to aggravate your condition further or worst, create a new problem.