Patient/caregiver was educated on pathophysiology of eczema as follows:
- Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition in which individuals have a genetic tendency to show a strong immune response upon exposure to allergens. The triggers that individuals respond to could differ from person to person.
- Common allergens in the environment include triggers such as, pollen, mold, and dust. Individuals could also present with this skin condition upon exposure to food allergens, such as, milk, wheat, eggs, and seafood.
- Eczema is a self-limited condition and depending upon exposure to the trigger, can get periodically activated & be relieved at other times.
- Individuals with genetic predisposition to eczema can develop the condition even upon very limited exposure to the triggers, in doses most individuals in general public do not even react to.
- As the condition is genetically determined, eczema cannot be cured, and measures can only be taken to prevent activation of an episode and ease symptoms during a flare-up.
