What Medications Are Used To Treat Psoriasis And Eczema
There are many ways to treat psoriasis and eczema. In fact, some of the same treatments are used for both conditions.
Topical treatments
Topical treatments are ones that you apply directly to the skin, like creams, gels, and ointments. Some topical treatments are available over the counter, while others need a prescription.
Corticosteroids are the most common topical treatments for both psoriasis and eczema. They reduce inflammation, which helps with redness and itching. They come in different strengths, ranging from weaker to very strong .
Other topical medication options for psoriasis include:
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Calcipotriene: helps to reduce inflammation, is chemically related to vitamin D, and is available in combination with a steroid in the medication betamethasone/calcipotriene
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Calcitriol: helps to slow down skin cell growth and is also related to vitamin D
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Tazarotene: helps to slow down skin cell growth and is chemically similar to vitamin A
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Zithranol: helps to slow down skin cell growth and is available as a cream or shampoo
These are other topical medication options for eczema:
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Tacrolimus andpimecrolimus: help reduce immune system activity, while not carrying the same risk of side effects that steroids have
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Eucrisa: blocks a specific protein that causes inflammation in atopic dermatitis
Stronger treatments
People with more severe eczema and psoriasis may need stronger treatments that work throughout the body. These are usually given as an oral pill or shot.
Common Questions About Hydrocortisone Skin Treatments
Hydrocortisone is a steroid . Steroids help to reduce swelling in the skin .
Skin gets inflamed when an allergic reaction or irritation causes chemicals to be released in the skin. These make blood vessels widen and the irritated skin becomes red, swollen, itchy and painful.
Hydrocortisone skin treatments work on your skinâs cells to stop these chemicals being released. This reduces symptoms like swelling, redness and itching.
Your skin should start to get better after using hydrocortisone for a few days.
If youâre using a treatment youâve bought from a pharmacy or shop, speak to your doctor if you still have symptoms after 1 week, or if your skin gets worse at any time.
How long you use it for depends on why you’re using it.
For insect bites and stings, nappy rash or contact dermatitis you’ll probably only need to use hydrocortisone for up to 1 week.
For long-term skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis you may need to use hydrocortisone for longer.
To reduce the risk of side effects your doctor may recommend that you only use hydrocortisone for a few weeks at a time.
Once your skin is better, use moisturisers to keep it from becoming inflamed again.
Do not use a hydrocortisone on your face unless a doctor has told you to and given you a prescription for it.
The skin on your face is delicate, so if hydrocortisone damages it, it’s particularly noticeable.
If your doctor has prescribed hydrocortisone for your face, follow their instructions carefully.
What Causes Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an immune system problem. Your immune response overreacts, causing inflammation, which leads to new skin cells growing too fast.
Typically, new skin cells grow every 28 to 30 days. But in people with psoriasis, new cells grow and move to the skin surface every three to four days. The buildup of new cells replacing old cells creates the silvery scales of psoriasis.
Psoriasis runs in families. There may be a genetic component. Parents may pass it down to their children.
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How Do I Treat Eczema
Over-the-counter medications or prescription medications can treat symptoms of eczema.
Over-the-counter medications include moisturizing creams and lotions. They treat the symptoms of Eczema, but do not treat the cause. Products containing 1% hydrocortisone work to moisturize the area. At the same time, it helps reduce the redness, itching and scaling associated with Eczema. Flare ups associated with the disease can be reduced with regular use.
Prescription medications reduce flare ups of eczema by suppressing the immune response associated with the disease. This includes topical ointments and oral medications.
What Is Carrier Oil
Carrier oils are vegetable oils used to dilute essential oils so they are safe to apply to the skin . The best carrier oil is cold-pressed and made from plants. Cold-pressed oils hold onto more of their beneficial properties since they are not subjected to heat. Its also best to choose unrefined oils that have no additives.
Butter and other animal fats are not good choices for carrier oil because the fatty acid profile doesnt allow the oil to absorb into the skin. However, there are a few exceptions such as Emu oil. Many people use Emu oil as a carrier oil because it contains no phosphorus, allowing it to absorb well into the skin.
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Q: Can Lifestyle Changes Help
Lifestyle changes alone probably won’t be enough to completely address symptoms, especially when it comes to psoriasis, since it is a chronic autoimmune disease.
But because dryness is a trigger for both psoriasis and eczema, you can certainly reduce your risk of having a flare by taking shorter, lukewarm showers and applying a thick, hydrating cream or ointment right after you towel off. That will help lock in moisture, as well as repair the skin barrier, which is important because cracked and irritated skin allows more irritants and allergens to get in.
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If you have eczema, it’s really important to use fragrance-free, hypoallergenic soap and moisturizers, as fragrances can cause allergies and further trigger itchiness and inflammation. One over-the-counter creamthat may help provide relief from symptoms: Aveeno® Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream, which is free from steroids and fragrances. It also contains colloidal oatmeal and ceramide, which have been clinically proven to help reduce redness and itching associated with eczema.
You should also use scent-free hypoallergenic laundry detergent for the same reason. Certain fabrics, such as those made with wool, may be irritating to delicate skin as well.
If your indoor air is very dry it’s also a good idea to run a humidifier. Just be sure to clean it often to avoid a buildup of mold or bacteria.
Best Budget: Cortizone 10 Anti
Itchiness can be one of the most debilitating symptoms of psoriasis, making it hard for you to focus on your everyday life. Cortizone-10 Anti Itch Lotion specifically targets that symptom to provide long-lasting relief to irritated skin. Included in the product is maximum strength hydrocortisone, a leading ingredient in treating itchiness. The hydrocortisone is combined with seven different types of moisturizers and two vitamins to hydrate the skin while helping it heal.
Customers say the lotion is the holy grail of aiding their psoriasis because its non-drying, compared to other anti-itch creams on the market, and it relieves their red and irritated skin patches.
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Plants Oils To Try When You Have Eczema
Some plant oils are high in beneficial fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, that can help your skin repair its natural barrier. To avoid skin irritation, you need to choose cold-pressed, unrefined oils. This means theyâre made without the addition of heat or chemicals.
Along with skin barrier repair, two cold-pressed plant oils may have extra benefits for people with eczema.
You can try:
- Cold-pressed coconut oil: This oil contains a fatty acid called monolaurin that may help control Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that lives on everyoneâs skin. People with eczema often have more staph on their skin than those without the condition. If these bacteria multiply out of control, they can cause serious infections. A study of coconut oil in people with eczema showed it reduced staph on the skin by 50%.
- Cold-pressed sunflower seed oil: This oil may calm skin inflammation in people with eczema. It also may encourage your skin to make more ceramides, fats that help keep it smooth and soft.
How to use coconut and sunflower seed oil
To get skin benefits from coconut or sunflower seed oil, apply a cold-pressed product to your skin after you bathe. Then layer your favorite moisturizer on top. This helps seal in the oil as well as the moisture from your bath or shower.
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Can You Treat Eczema And Psoriasis The Same Way
Some of the medications that are used to treat psoriasis may help treat eczema and vice versa. This doesnt necessarily mean that theres a one-size-fits-all treatment plan for both conditions though. A dermatologist can help you find a treatment plan that will work best for you based on your individual symptoms and medical history.
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Questions To Ask Your Dermatologist
Now that you know some common signs and misconceptions about eczema and psoriasis, its time for you to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. Here are a few great questions to ask them once you get there:
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What Are Other Types Of Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type. About 80% to 90% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis.
Other, less common types of psoriasis include:
- Inverse psoriasis appears in skin folds. It may look like thin pink plaques without scale.
- Guttate psoriasis may appear after a sore throat caused by a streptococcal infection. It looks like small, red, drop-shaped scaly spots in children and young adults.
- Pustular psoriasis has small, pus-filled bumps on top of the red patches or plaques.
- Sebopsoriasis typically appears on the face and scalp as red bumps and plaques with greasy yellow scale. This type is a cross between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis.
How Long To Use It For
Most people only need to use hydrocortisone skin treatments for a short time. Stop as soon as your skin is better. Sometimes you only need to use the skin treatments for a few days.
For insect bites and stings, nappy rash or contact dermatitis you’ll probably only need to use a skin cream for up to 1 week.
For long-term skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis you may need to use treatments for longer.
If you buy hydrocortisone from a pharmacy or shop, do not use it for more than 1 week without talking to your doctor.
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How To Choose The Right Carrier Oil
Most carrier oils arent scented and can be mixed with any essential oil. You dont need to worry too much about mixing and matching, but you do need to consider a few things when you are making your blend or buying a product with a carrier oil as a base.
Lets start by saying there will be a lot of experimenting before you find the right oil for your skin, but these are the factors that can guide you through the endless possibilities.
When To See A Doctor For Psoriasis Or Eczema
The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends that anyone living with psoriasis see a dermatologist. Its especially important to see a dermatologist if your psoriasis symptoms are getting worse, if you develop new symptoms, if your joints start to hurt, or if the treatment recommended by your primary care physician isnt working.
If you have eczema and your symptoms get worse or if you show signs of an infectionred, painful, oozing, or blistery skinthen its best to see a doctor as soon as possible. If youve seen a doctor already and the treatment plan they gave you isnt working, a dermatologist will be able to give you more specialized care.
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Skin Cooling Compress For Eczema
You can blend some essential oils in cool water to make a cooling compress to soothe especially itchy skin that is caused by eczema.
How to use:
Try using a combination of different essential oils until you find out what works best for your type of dermatitis.
What Causes Psoriasis And Eczema
Causes of psoriasis
We dont know the exact cause of psoriasis, but we do know that its a type of autoimmune disease, meaning that an overactive immune system is involved. The main symptom of psoriasis is thick skin plaques, caused by skin growing too quickly.
Your genes and family history can play a role in whether or not you develop psoriasis. About 40% of people with psoriasis have a family member with psoriasis. And if one parent has psoriasis, a child has about a 30% chance of having it.
Then, there are triggers that can worsen psoriasis symptoms. While each person is different, common triggers for psoriasis include stress and certain infections, like strep throat. Some medications can also act like triggers. Examples include lithium, propranolol , and hydroxychloroquine .
Causes of eczema
The word eczema actually refers to a group of skin conditions that can cause your skin to become red and itchy. Common types of eczema include atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis.
Often, when people talk about eczema, theyre referring to atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema. In fact, over 18 million Americans have atopic dermatitis, 13% of which are children. For this article, well stick to talking about atopic dermatitis.
Like psoriasis, eczema can worsen with triggers. These can include dry skin, stress, and different irritants, like wool and perfumes. Everyday allergens like pollen and dust mites can also be triggers.
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When Do Psoriasis And Eczema Usually Appear
Psoriasis usually appears between the ages of 16 and 22, but it can happen at any age.
Eczema usually begins younger, appearing as early as 6 months of age. Although some people grow out of eczema, many people continue to have it throughout their life. Even if you have eczema for a long time, there may be periods when it gets better or worse.
Jojoba Oil: Benefits And Uses
Jojoba oil comes from the seeds of the jojoba plant. Its odorless and golden-yellow in color. Its considered a great carrier oil because it can hydrate the skin without being too heavy and greasy.
Jojoba oil is absorbed easily and doesnât clog the skin, but its moisturizing properties and its similarity to the natural oils in the skin make it a great option for acne-prone skin since it can inhibit the production of excess oil.
Best of all? Jojoba oil is great for all skin types. It will carry the essential oils deep into the skin without clogging the pores or irritating the skin.
Combine a few drops of your favorite essential oil with half a teaspoon of jojoba oil and use the blend as a makeup remover, moisturizer, as an additional protection from sun-damage or soak your hands and feet in the blend for about 10 minutes to prevent cracked skin.
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When To Contact A Doctor About Eczema
There are several times when a person may want to contact their doctor about eczema.
- If eczema develops yellow crusting or pus-filled blisters, this may indicate a bacterial infection and may require a prescription for antibiotic cream.
- Painful, fluid-filled blisters could indicate eczema herpeticum, a rare, severe complication caused by the herpes simplex virus. A person should seek immediate medical attention.
- A person who has chronic eczema flares should see their doctor if they develop a fever, experience chills, have reduced energy, or develop signs of infection, such as oozing blisters and excessive itchiness.
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What Is Eczema And What Causes It
Eczema is a recurring, non-infectious, inflammatory skin condition. It affects one in three Australians at some stage throughout their lives. It is most common in people with a family history of an atopic disorder, including asthma or hay fever.
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Articles On Psoriasis Symptoms
Maybe you’re settling into your easy chair for a little Sunday siesta. Or you’re heading out the door for a day of fun in the sun. Either way, you stop and pause, because you’ve got an itch that just won’t leave you alone — along with blotches of red on your skin. What gives?
Your doctor needs to make the final call, but psoriasis or eczema could be the problem. Both are skin conditions with similar symptoms, but there are ways to tell them apart.