Hafizah and her eczema problem.

Hafizah, my youngest daughter was born here inHamilton, New Zealand about two years ago. (22 June 2007). Like many other kiwi kids, she suffers from eczema. Some are mild and some are quite serious. She will scratch when she feels itchy and she had few funny places where the skin looks so red and sometimes she scrathes until it is bleeding. It has become her habit to scratch all over her body before she goes to sleep at night. Her problem started off when she was a few months old when we discovered that she had lactose intolerant problem. Luckily, I could breasfeed her until she turned 2 in last June.

For those who don't know what is eczema, I can explain it in my own word first. It's a skin disease where there are few places that become red and itchy due to few reasons. The most obvious reason is allergies.

Here are some explanation that I have found from the internet:
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a common, recurring skin condition characterized by a dry, flaky, itchy rash. Eczema can appear on different parts of the body depending on your age. Its appearance may also vary depending on its severity and location on the body.

Following are pictures of four of the most common features of the rash of eczema:

Pathcy Skin (Erythema)-skin redness

MILD faintly detectable erythema; very light pink

MODERATE dull red; clearly distinguishable

SEVERE deep/dark red

Bumpy Skin (Papulation) — appearance of bumps

MILD barely perceptible elevated papules

MODERATE clearly perceptible papules but not extensive

SEVERE marked and extensive discrete papules

Red Open Sores (Excoriation) — lesions caused by scratching

MILD scant evidence of excoriations with no signs of deeper skin damage (erosion, crust)

MODERATE several linear marks of skin with showing evidence of deeper skin injury (erosion, crust)

SEVERE many erosive or crusty lesions

Scaly Skin (Lichenification) — lines in skin caused by chronic inflammation

MILD slight thickening of the skin discernible only by touch and with skin markings minimally exaggerated

MODERATE definite thickening of the skin; skin markings exaggerated so that they form a visible criss-cross pattern

SEVERE thickened or indurated skin with skin markings visibly portraying an exaggerated criss-cross pattern

Eczema may include one or a combination of the symptoms mentioned above. Here are some examples of people with an eczema flare-up.

If the affected skin becomes very inflamed, open sores, called ulcers (UHL-sirs), may occur. A clear, sticky fluid may even weep from the affected skin. This can make it hard for the healthcare provider to decide if the skin is affected by eczema or by a skin infection. In fact, both can occur at the same time. When the skin has been affected for a long time, it can become thick and leathery. The good news is that the rash can be controlled.

In older children and adults, eczema appears less often on the face and more commonly on the hands, neck, inner elbows, backs of the knees, and ankles. In younger children, eczema usually appears on the face, elbows, knees, and possibly on other areas.

Important Note:
Only your doctor can diagnose eczema. The features described above can appear in many types of skin rashes. Diagnosis is based on a combination of the patient's recent medical history and family history, in addition to a physical examination. Therefore, to help you find out whether that itchy rash is actually eczema, we've developed a skin rash questionnaire for you to share with your doctor.

	Managing Eczema Take care of your skin and prevent future flare-ups. Manage eczema.
	Skin Rash Questionnaire Help your doctor help you. Take the Skin Rash Questionnaire

We have tried many kinds of lotion and medicine but once it was healed, the would be other places that would be affected. Hafizah always cry whenever I wash her or put her in the bath. As her mother, I wish that I could have done something more. It hurts me when she cries. I know that eczema is also a heridatary problem. She could get this from me. I suffered from mild eczema when I was little but it was not as bad as hers. I can't wear any metal, silver or any other fake jewelleries or watches. I will get some rashes and it will be worse if I sweat a lot. I used the brand called "Sebamed" before. However, we couldn't find the same brand here. So, we just use "Vaseline" as her moisturizer. She always get worse during winter as the air gets so dry.

Here are some actions that we have taken to contain her problem (hopefully if your children suffer from this disease, you can try these methods too):

1. Make sure you always change her nappy. (don't wait for more than 4 hours)
2. Use hydro cortisone acetate cream (can only be prescribe by doctor)
3. Use non-fragrance moisturizer or body lotion all over her body.
4. Use non-fragrance soap or baby bath.
5. Check if she allergic to certain food like seafood, eggs or other kind of food.
6. Always check with your doctor to get the best advice (A MUST!).

All right I think this entry is a rather long one. I couldn't help but to share what I know about this as it may affect other children as well.

Ka Ki Te Ano.
Assalamualaikum.