2) Psoriasis (sore-EYE-ah-sis) is a skin condition that occurs when the cells of the skin grow too quickly. The faulty signals from the immune system causes the skin cells to form in days rather than weeks. The body does not shed these excess skin cells, rather it will pile the new forming cells up on the surface of the skin and lesions form. There are ways to treat this condition, you can found more information at Psoriasis-Ltd III

3) Eczema is a common skin disorder. Symptoms of eczema include dry, rough, red, itchy, skin dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding skin and scaling of the skin. One of the most common symptom is the itch, which is a side effect of eczema. This site contains a lot of useful information to the various types of eczema. A product that we find most useful is the Eczema-Ltd III

Here we will generally touch base on some the most common type of psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis out there. Also you can follow the link to learn more about the different types:

1. Palmoplantar Psoriasis can affect areas such as the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. The appearance of these condition is flaky patches of skin that crack and bleed. Sometimes this may be confused with plaque psoriasis.
2. Plaque Psoriasis appears as red lesions covered with white scales. This is the common form of psoriasis. It can appear on any skin surface, but has a tendency to be located at the areas where the body bends, such as the knees, elbows and so on.
3. Guttate Psoriasis is uncommon, only affecting about 2% of psoriasis patients ranging from young children to adults younger then 30. the appearance looks like as small, drop-shaped red patches, and is usually found the arms and legs.
4. Inverse Psoriasis also known as Flexual psoriasis, which appears as smooth inflamed lesions on the skin. Common locations where this condition is found at the armpits, groin, under the breast. Due to the location of this type of psoriasis treating it can be difficult
5. Erythrodermic Psoriasis appears as scaly red skin which can be all over the body, its accompanied by severe itching and also can be very painful. It can develop pretty much right after birth for children.
6. Pustular Psoriasis appears as a large red area containing pustules. There are pretty small in size roughly 1-2 mm in diameter . This usually affect the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. May not itch like the others do, but can be somewhat discomforting to walk or to write.
7. Psoriatic Arthritis is psoriasis accompanied by arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis generally affects the fingers and toes, but it can involve the wrists, lower back, knees and ankles. This usually appears between the ages of 30 & 50.
8. Scalp & Ear Psoriasis is psoriasis appearing on the scalp or ears. For the scalp, it can be located around the hair line, and it can look like dandruff. The ear can have thick, flaky looking skin on, either on the back of the ear or even in the inner ear.
9. Nail Psoriasis can affects the finger nails or toe nails. It mostly looks like small pits in the nail. In some cases the nail can become discolored to a yellow tint and become really thick

DERMATITIS:

1. Contact Dermatitis is caused by physical contact with an irritant or allergens. Many laundry soaps contain chemical additives which are the actual irritants.
2. Atopic Dermatitis is a hereditary dermatitis thought to be caused by an allergic reaction. This condiction causes itchy, inflamed skin. It can affects ares such as the inside of the elbows, back of the knees and the face.
3. Stasis Dermatitis is dermatitis of the leg area due to poor circulation. Some of the general characteristics are scaly, greasy looking skin often on the lower legs, mainly around the ankles. It can occur with varicose veins.
4. Seborrheic Dermatitis appears as flaking of the skin, it is also known dandruff. This condiction does seems to run in families. Seborrheic dermatitis can be unpleasant and uncomfortable, and is usually unattractive. It can disappear spontaneously and suddenly reappear, for no known reason.
5. Neurodermatitis is dermatitis caused by repeated scratching or chafing. It can be triggered by tight clothing, or clothing that can scratch the skin. Some contributing factors to the scratching is stress, anxiety, dry skin, just to name a few.

ECZEMA

1. Contact Eczema is eczema caused by physical contact with an irritant or allergens. This can be brought on by different allergens The main symptoms are, redness of the skin, weeping, pain, heat, scaling, dryness. These are the most common.
2. Light Sensitive Eczema is caused by exposure to sunlight. The location is typically on the face, hands and arms. Light sensitive eczema has a variety of factors. Such as genetic disorders, blister, porphyria and a few more.
3. Juvenile Plantar Eczema is caused by footwear usually during puberty. The appearance is where the soles of the feet become red, hot and sore. This condition is generally found in young boys between the ages of 3-15. It has a tendency to be more severe in the summer months
4. Eczema Craquele skin has a "crazy paving" appearance, occurs in oder people who have a thin or dry skin The appearance looks like the skin is cracking with fissures, accompanied by redness. This also seems to be worst in the winter months where there is less humidity in the air.
5. Eczema Herpeticum is caused by herpes simplex virus, this can be potentially life-threatening skin disorder Eczema herpeticum appears in small clusters and looks like blisters or ulcers. These are initially filled with a clear fluid but this turns to pus.
6. Atopic Eczema is an inherited condition thought to be caused by an allergic reaction and is is the commonest form of eczema and is closely linked with asthma and hay fever. It can affect both children and adults, usually running in families. It is estimated that one in three people are affected by atopy
7. Infantile Eczema ("cradle cap") is a temporary eczema in babies. Cradle cap is a crusting and scaling rash found on the scalps of many healthy babies. Although this type of eczema looks unpleasant, it is not sore or itchy and does not cause the baby to feel uncomfortable or unwell.
8. Adult Seborrheic Eczema is thought to be caused by a yeast and usually affects adults between the ages of 20 and 40. The symptoms that characterize adult seborrheic eczema include skin lesions, a greasy or oily appearance to the affected areas of skin, scaling as the skin begins to flake, white and flaking or yellowish, oily, and adherent "dandruff", plaque which may include the scalp, eyebrows, nose, just to name a few. Mild redness and hair loss may also be present.
9. Varicose Eczema is caused by poor circulation in the legs. It can appear later in life, and triggered by steroids, topical antibiotics, lanolin and also preservatives in various preparations.
10. Discoid Eczema appears in coin-shaped areas on the skin, is usually found in adults and appears as a few coin sized shaped areas of red skin, normally on the trunk or lower legs. Hot weather and stress can increases the discomfort of this condition.
11. Dyshidrotic Eczema appears as itchy blisters, and is intensely itchy blisters on the hands, fingers and soles of the feet. The cause of this is not fully understood but in some cases there is a history of allergic reaction to nickel.

The hope of every person suffering from a chronic skin condition is for a real cure, but at this writing there isn't one in sight. The clinical management of this disease remains quite complex, with much trial and error required. It's always a good idea to look into any rumored new therapy, whether you actually try it or not. And if you do try it, don't be too put off by apparent failures, or too ecstatic at what appear to be promising results. Although your disease is stubborn, it is also manageable. This information sets forth current opinions from recognized authorities, but it does not dictate an exclusive treatment course. Persons with questions about a medical condition should consult a physician who is knowledgeable about that condition.

Specific strategies to employ:

• Do your homework- ask questions before you begin the new treatment. "Knowledge is Power"

• Use your support networks. Ask your friends with eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis if they have experience with the therapy.

• Look carefully at the product's ingredient list, printed on the package. There should also be a Product Insert (PI) sheet for all FDA-approved prescription drugs. If you do not get one, ask your pharmacist, prescribing physician, or check the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR), available in most public libraries. Most PI's are also available over the Internet.

A good pharmacy is an important source of health information. When filling your prescription, the pharmacist will double-check to see that the drug is the right one, and should offer instructions on how to use the medication properly. If the ingredients of a product you are considering aren't fully disclosed on the label, beware. If all ingredients are stated, you can usually track down why they are included, and what they do. Drugs and pharmaceutical products must designate the name of the "active ingredient"-the therapeutic agent. The rest of the ingredients are usually helpers which make the product easier to use or carriers to place the active ingredients into as the active ingredients would be too strong by themselves. Also carriers act as a base or sometimes assist in penetration into the membrane, organ or skin. And sometimes they carriers or base assist or help in extending the shelf life or useful life of the product. In creams or lotions, there will be emulsifiers, preservatives, perfumes, or dyes. Unfortunately, any of these non-active ingredients can cause irritation or allergic reactions for sensitive or allergic skin. Ointments (also called "greases") don't need these, as a rule, because most active drugs against eczema mix well with ointments. After a little experience, you will become expert at reading labels.

Pick a specific day to start the therapy. Try to pick a time that will minimize the possibility that other things happening in your life may cause misleading results. If you're a woman, don't start the therapy while you are menstruating, as hormonal changes may affect your eczema. Avoid consuming alcohol or engaging in activities which may cause dehydration. Be aware that other drugs (prescription or not) can mask a therapeutic effect of the new regimen, or could possible have an adverse effect when combined with a new therapy.

If you hope to replace an existing therapy with a new one you've never tried, start the new one on a part of your body that is relatively free of eczema, to eliminate the possibility that something in it may cause allergic contact eczema, thus making your problems worse. Or better still, mark a small area where you will try the new agent and then only apply it there, using your regular regimen everywhere else. Once you've tried this for a day or two, try the new therapy on one side of your body and the old one on the other.

Be patient! Results may not be immediate. The healing process takes several days.

Remember that treating skin disease is a mixture of both science and art, and fine-tuning may improve the outcome, even with relatively small changes. It's best to make these in close partnership with your trusted provider. A small proportion of persons with eczema will learn that their disease is primarily based on an allergic reaction to something. Indeed, the hope of every person with eczema is for a real cure, but at this writing there isn't one in sight. The clinical management of this disease remains quite complex, with much trial and error required. It's always a good idea to look into any rumored new therapy, whether you actually try it or not. And if you do try it, don't be too put off by apparent failures, or too ecstatic at what appear to be promising results. Although your disease is stubborn, it is also manageable. This information sets forth current opinions from recognized authorities, but it does not dictate an exclusive treatment course. Persons with questions about a medical condition should consult a physician who is knowledgeable about that condition.

ALLERGIC CONTACT ECZEMA

Contact eczema can be divided into two distinct problems, which are defined as allergic contact eczema and direct irritant contact eczema. Allergic contact eczema refers to exposure to acids, alkaline mixtures, detergents and various other chemicals that acutely inflame the skin. Allergic contact eczema can become chronic with repeated exposure. Allergic contact eczema is caused by exposure to an allergen that sensitizes the skin leading to acute inflammation when re-exposure occurs. A crucial distinction between the two is that prior exposure to the agent is necessary for allergic contact eczema to occur whereas direct irritant contact eczema can occur at the first exposure. For example, most people will develop eczema on first exposure to strong chemicals that are acid or alkaline in nature. Allergic contact eczema is not as common as irritant contact eczema.

The three main differences between an allergic and irritant contact eczema are:

1. An irritant will cause a reaction in everyone who comes in contact with it, while an allergen will trouble only those people with the greatest susceptibility for developing allergic reactions.
2. Allergic contact dermatitis always results in red vesicles that combine to form moist patches. An irritant contact eczema seldom manifests itself as red vesicles, which combine to form moist patches.
3. There will be no immediate effect from an allergen. An allergic reaction to an irritant takes time to develop. When it does, itching is a prominent symptom. The skin effect from an irritant will be almost immediate - from stinging or burning to caustic burns.