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Illnesses

Eczema

Eczema
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 4 to 6
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   5.84

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    corticosteroids, eczema, inflammation, outgrow, trigger, worsen, diagnose, exam, therefore, mites, response, asthma, cases, stress, lessen, overreact

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Eczema
By Jennifer Kenny 		  
1     It was winter. Jessica's skin was red, sore, and itchy. It must be eczema.
 
2     The baby's skin was itchy, red, and dry. Jake had small bumps on his cheeks. It must be eczema.
 
3     Sally was working out. She was hot and sweaty. Now her skin was red and itchy. It must be eczema.
 
4     Most cases of eczema are also called atopic dermatitis. Atopic refers to a patient being allergy prone. Dermatitis refers to red, sore, inflamed skin. Eczema is a chronic condition. It comes and it goes. About one in ten kids will experience it. Most of them have their first flare-up by age five. Many outgrow it by the time they are teenagers.
 
5     What causes eczema? There's no definite answer to that question. It's not contagious. What is known is that those with eczema have more of a certain skin cell that reacts if irritated. Because there are more, these cells overreact. The response to the irritation is inflammation to protect the skin; in the case of the person with eczema it is even more red, sore, and itchy.

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