Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is often seen in association with other atopic conditions, such as hay fever, asthma, or hives, but is generally not triggered by pollen or other airborne irritants. The disease often runs a chronic course.

The term "atopic" is derived from the Greek word atopos, which means "away from the place." It describes a family of sensitivities to ordinary substances to which most people have no reaction. Hence, the sensitivity is "out of place".

When the disease starts in infancy, it is sometimes called infantile eczema. This is a red, itching, oozing, crusting dermatitis that tends to be localized primarily on the face and scalp, although spots can appear at other sites. In attempts to relieve the intolerable itching, the child rubs his head, cheeks, and other affected areas with a hand, a pillow, or anything within reach. If the disease continues or recurs after infancy, the skin lesions tend to become dry, brownish-gray, scaly, and thickened.

Eczema may be set off by extreme temperatures, stress, sweating, medication, clothing (especially wool or silk), grease, oils, soap and detergents, and environmental allergens. Patients with eczema are also very susceptible to severe infections from certain viruses, for example, the herpes simplex virus that produces fever blisters and sores. There is no cure for eczema, but there are a number of ways to relieve it.

Topical steroids are usually prescribed to reduce skin inflammation during an eczema flare-up. Topical steroids come in four strengths: mild, moderately potent, potent, and very potent. The main side effect with steroids is that long-term use of topical corticosteroids can thin the skin or cause a rash. Oral corticosteroids are sometimes prescribed in very severe cases and usually under the direction of a dermatologist because of heavy side effects. Patients with severe eczema may benefit from phototherapy (light treatment) with ultraviolet A and/or B, with or without topical coal tar.

All of these typical treatments for Eczema afford little to no relief for eczema sufferers, but ECZEMOL® offers a unique approach to giving marked relief to eczema sufferers.

ECZEMOL® is the gold standard and only prescription that has no known side effects for the treatment of eczema by an oral method.