Eczema: Etiology and Pathology (Pediatric Nursing)

00:00 Now let's talk about eczema. Eczema is also known as dermatitis. Remember, itis means inflammation of and derm is the skin. This is where the skin becomes dry, red, and itchy. This can occur anywhere on the body and it can be a small patch or it can cover the entire body.

00:19 The cause is often unclear. We see this commonly in children, but this can occur at any age.

00:25 Atopic dermatitis is also known as eczema. It's a chronic condition with flares periodically.

00:33 Sometimes this is accompanied by asthma or hay fever and the treatment goal is to relieve itching and prevent these triggers. Eczema is derived from a Greek word meaning to boil over.

00:44 The specific cause is still unknown. This is not a contagious condition. Children are more likely to develop eczema if their parents have an atopic illness and this includes allergies, asthma, and eczema. So, it's thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

01:04 Possible triggers that have been identified include irritants, allergens, certain microbes, extreme hot and cold temperatures, certain foods, stress, and hormonal changes. Here are some common causes of eczema and this is important for a nurse because you can see on the top left soaps and detergents are guilty and you know in the hospital the soap has to be really strong and effective and they're sometimes harsh on the skin. This can cause a skin breakdown and your hands will have an increased risk for introduction of bacteria into your skin. So the pathology of eczema. There are abnormalities in the skin barrier and alterations in the immune response. The skin microbiome shifts. There are inflammatory mediators that begin to accumulate and IgE, a type of antibody, plays a role.