Eczema

Eczema is the name for a group of skin conditions that cause dry, irritated skin. The most common is known as atopic eczema which causes the skin to become itchy, dry, cracked, sore and red. Although atopic eczema can affect any part of the body, it most often affects the hands, insides of the elbows, backs of the knees and the face and scalp.  It is usually a long-term (chronic) condition which starts in childhood, although it can improve significantly, or even clear completely with age.   

The exact cause of atopic eczema is unknown.  "Atopic" means sensitivity to allergens and atopic eczema often occurs in people who get allergies.  It can run in families, and often develops alongside other conditions, such as asthma and hay fever.  It can be triggered by soaps, detergents, stress and the weather. Food allergies can play a part, especially in young children with severe eczema.

There is currently no cure and severe eczema often has a significant impact on daily life, which may be difficult to cope with physically and mentally. There's also an increased risk of skin infections. 

In Five Elements Acupuncture eczema is treated as a symptom of an energy imbalance, indeed any ‘allergic’ reaction is indicative of imbalance. Once the precise cause of the imbalance that might then be triggering the reaction is identified and treated the symptoms would likely diminish.