By: Denise Taylor

1. Eczema By: Denise Taylor

2. Overview • Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition • First symptoms commonly appear in infants and children younger than 5. • Affects 10-12% of all children • About 50% of cases improve between ages 5 and 15. • Commonly found in families with a history of other allergies or asthma.

3. Signs and Symptoms • No exact cause is known but, abnormal immune system response is thought to be link. • Reddened patches of skin on cheeks, forehead, scalp, or neck • Older children usually develop dry, itchy, scaly areas on their knees, elbows, wrists, and/or back of hands. • Repeated scratching can lead to open, infected wounds. • Changes in weather also triggers symptoms as well.

4. Management • Not curable, but controllable. • Limit exposure to extreme temperature changes • Doctor prescribed antihistamines or topical cortisone for itch • Wiping sweating spots and cool water or compresses on itchy patches helps lessen itch

5. Teacher Modifications • No major changes needed in the classroom • Teacher may administer a cortisone cream or doctor prescribed antihistamine once in a while ONLY if requested by parents.

6. How to Address in a Classroom • Explain to students the many illnesses people could have including long term, as well as short term. • Explain that students with these illnesses, whether mental or physical, are no different than any other student and should be treated with the same respect. • If there is a mental illness, when the student with the illness is not in the room, inform the other students of behaviors the ill student may display and how to deal with them with patience • With Eczema, a detailed explanation is not needed, just an awareness and respect.

7. Additional Source • http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/eczema