Best Treatment For Severe Eczema

Corticosteroids For Treating Eczema Symptoms

You may have heard of cures for treating eczema naturally online, but the truth is that topical corticosteroids are the standard, go-to treatment for eczema flare-ups.

Applied directly to the affected areas of skin, these ointments, creams, or lotions may:

• Reduce inflammation
• Ease irritation or soreness
• Reduce itching and the desire to scratch

Topical corticosteroids come in varying degrees of strength with 1 the most powerful and 7 the weakest and are most effective when applied within three minutes of showering. For example, Vanos cream is a super potent class 1 medication, while over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams are a least potent class 7, according to the National Eczema Foundation.

Topical corticosteroids should not be used as moisturizers and should only be applied to areas of the skin that are affected by eczema.

Over time, these drugs can thin the skin, cause changes in color, or result in stretch marks.

Rarely, topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the skin and enter the blood stream, causing systemic side effects . These more severe side effects may include:

• Topical steroid addiction

If topical corticosteroids arent working, doctors may prescribe a systemic corticosteroid, taken by mouth or injected.

Doctors only recommend systemic corticosteroids for short periods of time, because these drugs can cause a number of serious side effects, including osteoporosis, hair loss, and gastrointestinal issues.

Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream $1356

As one of Dr. Chans favorites for those with allergies especially, Vanicreams Moisturizing Cream comes in an easy-to-use pump, is fragrance-free and is non-comedogenic, so it wont clog your pores.

The lotion formulation makes this product cosmetically elegant for the face, while still being effective to minimize eczema flares, Dr. Mack said.

Try To Reduce The Damage From Scratching

Eczema is often itchy, and it can be very tempting to scratch the affected areas of skin.

But scratching usually damages the skin, which can itself cause more eczema to occur.

The skin eventually thickens into leathery areas as a result of chronic scratching.

Deep scratching also causes bleeding and increases the risk of your skin becoming infected or scarred.

Try to reduce scratching whenever possible. You could try gently rubbing your skin with your fingers instead.

If your baby has atopic eczema, anti-scratch mittens may stop them scratching their skin.

Keep your nails short and clean to minimise damage to the skin from unintentional scratching.

Keep your skin covered with light clothing to reduce damage from habitual scratching.

Recommended Reading: Does Sea Water Help Eczema

Eczema Treatments: Over The Counter Prescription And Natural Remedies

• Eczema is an umbrella term for a group of inflammatory skin diseases that cause patches of dry, red, itchy skin
• Treatment involves a multimodal approach to include over the counter and prescription medications, and home remedies
• While there is not yet a cure, these treatments can effectively reduce the number and severity of flare-ups

Eczema comprises a group of inflammatory skin diseases that presents as red, raised patches of itchy, burning scaly skin. As there is no cure for eczema, treatments are intended to address symptoms, and reduce and control outbreaks.

Eczema can be a complicated disease to treat as flare-ups can be a result of any number of triggers. While it is understood it is caused by the interplay between the immune system and genetics, environmental factors and stress all play a role.

There is no one established treatment for eczema every person will respond differently to medications so treatment is tailored to what works best for you.

What Are Common Side Effects Of Eczema Medication

Side effects will vary between medication types and drug classes. However, there are a few side effects that are more common among many popular eczema medications. The following is not a complete list but does include the more common side effects you can anticipate:

• Application site burning
• Dizziness

Also Check: Cerave Moisturizing Cream For Eczema

Other Topical Medication For Eczema

Topical calcineurin inhibitors are another category of prescription medication for eczema that includes Protopic and Elidel .

TCIs dont contain steroids. Instead, they control inflammation and reduce eczema flare-ups by suppressing the immune system.

Though TCIs dont cause the same side effects as topical corticosteroids, patients should only use them for short periods of time. A boxed warning alerts patients to the possible cancer risk associated with these drugs.

PDE4 inhibitors, a new class of topical drugs for eczema, work by blocking an enzyme called phosphodiesterase 4 from producing too much inflammation in the body. There is currently only one PDE4 inhibitor on the market: Eucrisa , which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2016.

How Do Dermatologists Treat Severe Ad

Each patient with severe AD receives a personalized treatment plan.

To create this plan, your dermatologist will want to know how long youve had AD, your response to past treatments, and your preferences for treating AD.

Even for severe AD, treatment often begins with the basics skin care, trigger management, and medication.

For treatment to work, its equally important to find out if you have any other medical conditions. If you have an undiagnosed medical condition, it may prevent your AD treatment from working.

Heres what you can expect if you see a board-certified dermatologist for severe AD.

Don’t Miss: Is Eczema A Skin Allergy

Home Remedies Can Help

The best way to manage eczema around the eyes is to keep the skin in the area highly moisturized.

• Avoid drying face washes. Choose leave-on emollient products that keep the skin moisturized while they cleanse it.
• Avoid fragrances. Many skincare products contain added fragrances. Choose products that are fragrance-free.
• Use gentle products. Ask your dermatologist for recommendations for gentle moisturizers. These will keep skin moist and free from irritation.
• Wear sunscreen and sunglasses. Sun exposure can make the skin on your eyes more sensitive and lead to eczema outbreaks. Aim to limit exposure.
• Avoid triggers. If you know certain allergens or products trigger an outbreak, steer clear of these. Stick to tried-and-true favorites that you know dont irritate your skin.

Unfortunately, eczema is a persistent skin condition that is tricky to treat. For some people, eczema subsides over time as they get older. Other people, however, may have to deal with the condition throughout their lifetime.

As more information is gained on the condition, more effective treatment and symptom management options are becoming available. A combination of the above treatment options and preventative measures works best for most people.

Ultraviolet Light And Phototherapy

Light therapy is often used to treat severe eczema that doesnt respond to creams. This involves a machine that exposes your skin to ultraviolet light.

UVB light is most common. However, some forms of eczema therapy use UVA. According to the National Eczema Association, about 70 percent of people with eczema had improved symptoms after phototherapy.

Recommended Reading: How To Rid Of Eczema On Face

What Is The Best Natural Cure For Eczema

In addition to medication, you might be interested in natural treatments for atopic dermatitis. To start, try to identify anything that triggers an allergic reaction or reaction that leads to eczema flare-ups. After identifying these triggers you can avoid them to try and prevent eczema from flaring up in the first place.

After identifying allergies or triggers, you may want to use moisturizer, avoid irritants by using fragrance-free skincare products and cleansers or laundry detergents, and work on stress management techniques. If a flare-up of eczema does occur then here are a few ways you might try to treat it naturally:

Remember to consult a doctor or healthcare professional before using any natural treatments.

How Can Parents Help

Help prevent or treat eczema by keeping your child’s skin from getting dry or itchy and avoiding triggers that cause flare-ups. Try these suggestions:

• Kids should take short baths or showers in warm water. Use mild unscented soaps or non-soap cleansers and pat the skin dry before putting on cream or ointment. Teens should use unscented makeup and oil-free facial moisturizers.
• Ask your doctor if it’s OK to use oatmeal soaking products in the bath to help control itching.
• Kids should wear soft clothes that “breathe,” such as those made from cotton. Wool or polyester may be too harsh or irritating.
• Keep your child’s fingernails short to prevent skin damage from scratching. Try having your child wear comfortable, light gloves to bed if scratching at night is a problem.
• Kids should avoid becoming overheated, which can lead to flare-ups.
• Kids should drink plenty of water, which adds moisture to the skin.
• Get rid of known allergens in your household and help your child avoid others, like pollen, mold, and tobacco smoke.
• Stress can make eczema worse. Help your child find ways to deal with stress .

Don’t Miss: What Does Eczema Look Like In Adults

Treating Eczema A Stepped Approach

The recommended first-line treatments for most cases of eczema are emollients and topical steroids. Paste bandages and wet wraps may be a helpful addition for some people, particularly where scratching is a major problem. Sedating-type antihistamines may be useful in helping with sleeping at night . Long-term use is not recommended.

When there is an inadequate response to appropriate strengths of topical steroid, or if these are not tolerated, especially on areas of delicate skin, topical calcineurin inhibitors the cream pimecrolimus or the ointment tacrolimus may be useful.

Treatments for more severe eczema, or additional treatments, include phototherapy, oral steroids, immunosuppressant drugs, a biologic drug and a Janus kinase inhibitor.

Before progressing to additional treatments, it is essential to check that there is no other explanation for the eczema being uncontrolled. The following are examples of questions that should be considered by your doctor, but it is not an exhaustive list:

• Have all topical therapies been used to the highest dose possible that is safe? , please see our Topical steroids factsheet.)
• Have all irritants and allergens been identified and avoided to the extent practicable?
• Has infection been controlled?
• Is the eczema diagnosis correct?

Have a look at our factsheets to find out more about different eczema treatments.

What Is The Best Medication For Eczema

Finding the best medication or treatment option for atopic dermatitis can be tricky. Patients may need to try a few different methods depending on their condition, severity, and frequency of flare-ups. As with all medications, your best fit will depend on other medications you use, allergies, and how your body reacts to different medication types. Please consult a healthcare professional when selecting a medication for your eczema.

Only a doctor can determine the right dosage for you based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and weight.

This is not a complete list of side effects.

Also Check: Bhi Skin Eczema Relief Tablets

How Do Dermatologists Diagnose Dyshidrotic Eczema

If your dermatologist suspects that you have dyshidrotic eczema, your dermatologist will:

• Look closely at the skin on your hands and feet

• Take a bit of fluid from a blister if it looks infected

• Ask you questions about your health, what you do for work and hobbies, and when you usually develop blisters

During your appointment, be sure to tell your dermatologist if you have a metal implant in your body or recently:

• Noticed that your skin reacts when you wear certain jewelry

• Smoked tobacco

• Worked with cutting oil or cement

• Took a medication, including aspirin or birth control pills

If your dermatologist thinks that the dyshidrotic eczema could be due to an allergy, an allergy test called patch testing may be recommended. During patch testing, small amounts of substances that you may be allergic to are placed on your skin often the skin on your back.

Thats often all thats needed to determine whether you have dyshidrotic eczema. If you do, your dermatologist will create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Having an infection can stop dyshidrotic eczema from clearing

In one study, researchers found that about 33% of patients who had dyshidrotic eczema on their hands got rid of the dyshidrotic eczema only after treating an infection on their feet.

Severe Ad Often Requires Expertise

A treatment plan for severe AD can have many parts. A board-certified dermatologist can tailor a treatment plan to meet your needs. While that may not completely eliminate severe AD, it can help you feel better.

ImagesImage 1: Used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

ReferencesEichenfield LF, Tom WL, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis. Section 2. Management and treatment of atopic dermatitis with topical therapies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 71:116-32.

Kalb RE and Weinberg JM. Atopic dermatitis: New perspective on managing a chronic inflammatory disease. Global Education Group and Integritas Communications. Released: July 1, 2017.

Sidbury R, Davis DM, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis Section 3. Management and treatment with phototherapy and systemic agents. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 71:327-49.

Simpson EL, Bruin-Weller M, et al. When does atopic dermatitis warrant systemic therapy? Recommendations from an expert panel of the International Eczema Council. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017 Oct 77:623-33.

Thyssen JP, Skov L, et al. Assessment of major comorbidities in adults with atopic dermatitis using the Charlson comorbidity index. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017 76:1088-92.

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology

You May Like: Does Witch Hazel Help Eczema

What Are The Treatments For Severe Hand Eczema

If your hand eczema is severe, discuss the possibility of a dermatology referral with your GP. The referral may be for diagnosing contact allergy or for treatment, which may include a short course of oral steroids or immunosuppressants . Alternatively, dermatology departments may recommend alitretinoin or phototherapy, as described below.

What Do Dermatologists Recommend For Severe Eczema

Eczema is different for everyone. Your eczema treatment may be very different from others as a result.

Your doctor may recommend using topical steroids and continuing to moisturize the skin. Or they may recommend the use of systemic treatments, such as injections or oral medications.

For example, NYU Langone Hospitals states that dermatologists often recommend treatments that may include the use of:

• oral or injected immunosuppressants
• oral or topical corticosteroids
• oral antibiotics

If you or a loved ones treatment is no longer working or preventing flares, you should talk with a dermatologist about additional treatment options to help get the flare under control.

Also Check: What Is Eczema And What Does It Look Like

Oral Antihistamines For Eczema

Doctor may also recommend that patients take certain antihistamines for eczema such as Benadryl , hydroxyzine, or Unisom to make it easier to sleep through the night.

Antihistamines may help prevent nighttime scratching, which can further damage the skin and cause infections.

Various protectant repair creams may also help ease eczema symptoms by restoring essential skin components, like ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol.

Should I Use A Product That Earned The National Eczema Foundation Seal Of Approval

The National Eczema Association created the Seal of Approval acceptance program to help sensitive-skinned consumers properly select skincare.

The NEA Seal of Approval criteria includes a list of ingredients that are known for causing irritation, Dr. Mack explains. The Seal of Approval review panel evaluates ingredient and formulation data. Lastly, the Seal of Acceptance makes the products ideal for sensitive skin types easily identifiable.

Read Also: How To Calm Eczema Redness

Do Moisturizers Help Eczema

Moisturizers are the first-line therapy in treating eczema. They help protect the outer layer of the skin by sealing in moisture, combating dryness, keeping out allergens, irritants and bacteria and preventing flare-ups. And they soothe the skin for long-lasting hydration.

Doctors recommend you apply a moisturizer at least twice per day, including once after a bath or shower. Develop a schedule so that moisturizing becomes part of your skincare routine.

If you experience symptoms on your hands, keep moisturizer by all sinks in the home or carry a small tube with you. This way you can easily moisturize every time you wash your hands throughout the day.

How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Eczema

There are steps you can take that may prevent eczema outbreaks:

• Establish a skin care routine, and follow your healthcare professionals recommendations for keeping your skin healthy.
• Wear gloves for jobs where you have to put your hands in water. Wear cotton gloves under plastic gloves to absorb sweat, and wear gloves outside, especially during the winter months.
• Use mild soap for your bath or shower, and pat your skin dry instead of rubbing. Apply a moisturizing cream or ointment immediately after drying your skin to help seal in the moisture. Reapply cream or ointment two to three times a day.
• Take baths or showers with tepid rather than hot.
• Drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Water helps to keep your skin moist.
• Try to avoid getting too hot and sweaty.
• Wear loose clothes made of cotton and other natural materials. Wash new clothing before wearing. Avoid wool.
• Avoid sudden changes in temperature and humidity.
• Learn to recognize stress in your life and how to manage it. Regular aerobic exercise, hobbies and stress-management techniques, such as meditation or yoga, might help.
• Limit your exposure to known irritants and allergens.
• Avoid scratching or rubbing itchy areas of skin.

Don’t Miss: Aveeno Eczema Cream For Diaper Rash

Home Remedies For Eczema

In addition to seeking help from a doctor, people with eczema may be able to take a few steps on their own to reduce itching and the need for medication.

These measures include:

• Keeping fingernails short, and avoiding scratching the skin
• Moisturizing skin frequently with ointments , creams, and lotions that are free of alcohol, fragrances, and dyes
• Using a humidifier, particularly if the air is dry
• Avoiding skin irritants, such as wool or man-made fibers , strong soaps and detergents, and situations or environments that cause sweating
• Avoiding airborne allergens, such as pollen, pet dander, and dust mites

When bathing, it’s important to minimize time in the tub or shower and to use cool or lukewarm water. Use gentle body washes and cleansers, and avoid scrubbing or toweling off for too long.

Also be sure to apply a moisturizer immediately after drying off.