Many people wonder if they have eczema when it itches, or if they simply have a reaction to something like poison ivy or some kind of harmful chemical in the environment. The bottom line is that eczema is different from normal skin reactions in that it is specifically an allergic reaction. A person with eczema has skin that is adversely affected by a substance that is completely harmless to the majority of the population, similar to how certain people have a reaction to peanuts or dust in the air.
To determine if you have eczema, here’s a quick quiz to help you find out. Just keep in mind that this is not medical advice and should not be taken as confirmation from a licensed dermatologist that you have it, but just an indication that you most likely have it and that you should seek further treatment:
1. Do you react to something harmless to most people? If every time you touch a cat or drink orange juice, you end up itching your arms like crazy, chances are you have eczema.
2. Does the itching persist long enough to cause rashes and scabs? Everyone gets itchy sometimes, but with eczema it’s more than that. They will often scratch until they are red or even bleed.
3. Do you sometimes wake up with red or white spots and can’t explain them? People with eczema often itch while they sleep.
4. Does your scratching get so bad that you often feel inclined to avoid short-sleeved shirts and shorts? People with eczema often have this problem.
5. Do you experience reduced mobility in the affected areas? If you feel it’s difficult or even painful to move your arms because you’ve scratched them a lot, you probably have eczema.
If you answered yes to 3 or more of these quick questions, it’s very likely that you have eczema and should seek treatment as soon as possible. The longer you allow your condition to persist without seeking dietary changes and medication to help alleviate and reverse your condition, the more difficult it will be to do so.