If you want to really discover the true causes of Eczema, then you will be in good company. Are there ways to safeguard against the cause of Eczema and is it possible to manage this for yourself or your family?
In fact the exact causes of Eczema are not known for certain. It's believed that they may be a combination of genetic (meaning that sufferers are pre-determined to be susceptible to the disease) and environmental factors.
Many people believe that the rise in cases of the disease can be traced to an increase in allergies which is happening as a result of pollutants in the environment. This has yet to be proven conclusively.
At it's most basic level, the causes of eczema seem to stem from a malfunction of the immune system. The red, painful rash that appears on the surface of the skin occurs when the body's immune system gets confused and reacts against its own tissues.
Essentially, the immune system begins to think of it's own particles and compounds as foreign invaders. It then employs the strategies it would use to kill off invaders, damaging it's own cells in the process. This malfunction is called autoimmunity.
In addition to the immediate problems associated with the autoimmunity, there are other problems which in turn result in related health issues. If the rashes are scratched they can become infected. The bacterial infections cause the rashes to worsen, crack and bleed. Also, sufferers don't have the proper ability to process fatty acids and have to get them in alternate ways. Though at present there is no cure, there are many treatment options available.