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Eczema Case Studies

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Eczema is the familial term used in reference to atopic dermatitis, a common skin condition characterized by chronic inflammation. It causes erythema, scaling, itching, crusting and oozing of the skin. The exact etiology of this condition remains unknown although it is suspected that genetic factors as well as environmental factors might play a role in the development of atopic dermatitis in an individual[1].
In 2009, Haslund and colleagues conducted a study to evaluate the prevalence of
Staphylococcus aureus in patients with hand eczema compared to controls. Results showed that the bacterium was found in 48% of patients with hand eczema, which was significantly higher than the 8% of controls[2]. Also, through cultures obtained from the
skin …show more content…

Indeed, immunologic differences were observed between the skins of healthy individuals and atopic individuals. The indications were that an immunologic dysregulation might be an important factor contributing to the etiology of atopic dermatitis. In this case, an immunomodulatory agent, i.e, corticosteroids, should also be considered in the treatment of eczema to address this possible issue, as well as considered for long-term treatment of the condition[16]. Furthermore, a genetically defective skin barrier function is a predisposing factor to atopic dermatitis that cannot be ignored. It was observed that 15% of atopic individuals have a defective filaggrin gene, a crucial component in epidermal homeostasis. In these cases, bleach baths wouldn’t be beneficial, as they would not be treating the underlying problem[17].
Further, while the studies on bleach baths have shown encouraging results, one must nonetheless take into account that the worldwide use of sodium hypochlorite might have possible side effects. More importantly, as mentioned earlier, if the sodium hypochlorite solution isn’t capable of eradicating the bacteria completely, does this treatment

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