Eczema and Pimples

Skin, pores, and hair

Eczema and pimples are both skin conditions, though each has different causes, symptoms and treatments.

Eczema and pimples can be chronic, as well as a frequent and perhaps painful annoyance to those who suffer from these conditions.

Eczema

Eczema is an inflammation of the outer layer of the skin. Doctors use the term eczema for a variety of persistent skin conditions, including dryness and chronic skin rashes. Eczema symptoms include itching and dryness, redness, swelling , flaking, blistering, crushing, cracking, oozing and bleeding. Skin discoloration may also appear, sometimes due to healing and healed lesions.

Pimples

Pimples are blocked pores. Small openings in the skin, pores are the sweat glands that mammal bodies use to regulate body temperature. Inside every pore are glands that produce sebum, a wax-like substance. As the skin sheds dead skin cells, the sebum can glue dead skin cell together and block the pore--this results in a pimple, and can become more frequent during puberty as the skin thickens.

Causes of Pimples

Pimples have many causes including hormones, stress, genetics, infection and diet. Dietary changes, such as increasing intake of vegetables, fruit and water will help alleviate pimples; however, a number of treatments exist. If pimples increase in women immediately before the menstrual cycle, women can use birth control pills or other hormones to help.

Eczema and Pimples

There is no known treatment for eczema, thus doctors tend to concentrate on alleviating symptoms. Both eczema and pimples can originate from a matrix of causes and require several different treatments. There are several antibiotics and steroids available for eczema, but sufferers of both eczema and pimples should seek medical advice before taking medicines or mixing medicines for treating both symptoms.

Treatment Tips

Dryness and skin irritation can exacerbate eczema and pimples. In fact, both conditions often result in dryness and irritation, so eczema can cause pimples and vice versa. There are ways, however, to alleviate the symptoms of acne and eczema. Sufferers should use a gentle skin cleanser, and moisturize once or twice a day. Avoid soaps and harsh detergents, as these can over-dry the skin and worsen eczema and acne. Cetaphil is a popular and gentle cleanser, but it's important to find the cleanser that works for the individual--be aware that terms like "hypoallergenic" and "doctor tested" are not regulated, and there's no proof that these products are any more effective than others.

When choosing moisturizer, select a non-comedogenic moisturizer. This means that the moisturizer doesn't clog pores--after all, clogged pores cause pimples. Consistent maintenance and care for the skin is central to any treatment of either eczema or pimples.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Open Directory: Acne