ECZEMA

WHAT CAUSES IT?

ECZEMA, WHAT CAUSES IT?

Finding the cause is the first step to finding the solution.

A single underlying cause of eczema remains unknown, medical research is making progress in this area. Dr Koh Hong Yi (Registrar, Department of Dermatology at Singapore General Hospital) points to recent studies which found that, apart from lower amounts of oil in the skin, many eczema sufferers also have a protein mutation called filaggrin in their skin. This mutation makes the skin weaker.Dr Koh goes on to say that healthy skin has sufficient amounts of a natural antimicrobial agent that keeps bacteria found naturally on the skin in check. On eczematous skin, however, low levels of this anti-microbial agent lead to high levels of bacteria.Several other factors are associated with the occurrence of eczema. The factors vary from person to person and among the different types of the disorder.

COMMON FACTORS

Some of the more common factors that contribute to eczema.

With no single cause, there are a number of internal and external factors that come into play concerning eczema. There is usually a combination of factors that vary from person-to-person. Some of these may be part of an initial onset, and other may cause eczema flare-ups.

A single underlying cause of eczema remains unknown, medical research is making progress in this area. Dr Koh Hong Yi (Registrar, Department of Dermatology at Singapore General Hospital) points to recent studies which found that, apart from lower amounts of oil in the skin, many eczema sufferers also have a protein mutation called filaggrin in their skin. This mutation makes the skin weaker.Dr Koh goes on to say that healthy skin has sufficient amounts of a natural antimicrobial agent that keeps bacteria found naturally on the skin in check. On eczematous skin, however, low levels of this anti-microbial agent lead to high levels of bacteria.Several other factors are associated with the occurrence of eczema. The factors vary from person to person and among the different types of the disorder.