How Can Eczema Be Prevented

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How Common Is Eczema

Eczema affects up to 15 million Americans. Infants are prone to eczema and 10% to 20% will have it. However, nearly half outgrow the condition or have significant improvement as they get older.

Eczema affects males and females equally and is more common in people who have a personal or family history of asthma, environmental allergies and/or food allergies.

Natural Treatments At Home

Aside from moisturizing your skin, some natural treatments may help heal your skin.

Oatmeal baths are one type of natural treatment that can soothe the itchiness and discomfort of eczema rashes. Be sure to use lukewarm water and follow up with a moisturizer immediately after.

Theres some evidence that both probiotics and prebiotics may stabilize your microbiome to help treat inflammation. However, more research is needed to support this approach in eczema treatment.

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Oral Or Injected Immunosuppressants

Oral immunosuppressant medications prevent the bodys immune system from sending an inflammatory response to the skin, which results in less itching, redness, and rash.

Immunosuppressant medications are available in varying strengths, and doctors determine the dosage based on your age, severity of symptoms, location and extent of the rash, your weight, and whether you have other medical conditions. Typically, these medications are taken once or twice daily, although the dosage can vary.

If eczema or dermatitis is severe, a doctor may recommend immunosuppressant medication that is injected into the skin. Your dermatologist determines the appropriate schedule of injections. He or she may administer the injections in a doctors office or show you how to do it so you can inject the medication at home.

Dermatologists may prescribe immunosuppressant medication for weeks or months or until symptoms of eczema or dermatitis are under control. Often, our doctors may reduce or stop a prescription at that time to see whether symptoms can be managed using topical medication, , or at-home therapies.

In some instances when symptoms cant be relieved by other treatments, therapy with immunosuppressant medications may continue for years. Your doctor can discuss side effects of immunosuppressant medications.

How Do Doctors Treat Eczema

Doctors cant cure eczema, but to help with your symptoms, they may suggest that you:

• Apply medicines, such as corticosteroid and other creams, to lessen itching and heal your skin

• Keep your skin moist with cool water compresses, lotions, petroleum jelly, or vegetable oil after baths or showers

• Take a bath or shower only once a day to keep your skin from getting dry

• Take a bath in water with a small amount of bleach, colloidal oatmeal , or tar medicine

• Blot your skin dry after a bath or shower instead of rubbing it dry

If your eczema is severe, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid pills or other medicines that slow down your immune system.

If you’re an adult, your doctor may try phototherapy. With phototherapy your skin is exposed to a special ultraviolet light . Doctors usually don’t use phototherapy on children or adolescents with eczema.

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Q : How Should Eczema Flares And Severe Eczema Be Treated

Skin damage can be prevented by applying creams or ointments prescribed by your doctor as soon as eczema is present. In contrast, not using enough of the treatments can cause skin damage due to itching, which can lead to scarring.

If prescribed, use topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors:

• These treatments actively treat inflammation .
• Ensure that adequate amounts are used. As a guide, one fingertip unit is the amount of ointment from the first bend in the finger to the fingertip, which will cover an area equal to two adult hands.
• Apply moisturiser after corticosteroid cream or ointment has been applied.

If prescribed, use an immune modulating treatment for severe eczema:

• People aged 12 years or older with severe eczema which has not responded to other prescribed topical treatments can now be prescribed an immune modulating treatment known as dupilumab on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in Australia.
• Immune modulating treatments modify the bodys immune response to prevent inflammation that plays a central role in eczema, but they are not immunosuppressants.

Q : How Can Skin Be Maintained And Protected Every Day

It is important to keep skin that is prone to eczema well moisturised every day:

• Moisturisers add moisture and form a barrier that protects the skin, so that it retains moisture. If the protective barrier of skin is damaged eczema frequently develops.
• Apply non-perfumed moisturiser to the face and body twice every day.
• Avoid moisturisers containing food proteins such as goat milk, wheatgerm and nut oils.
• After a bath or shower in lukewarm water, pat the skin dry and apply moisturiser.
• Use non-soap based wash or oil and avoid soap and bubbly products which dry out the skin.
• After swimming , rinse and apply moisturiser.

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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.

Preventing The Spread Of Eczema

Preventing the spread of eczema depends on the type of eczema a person has. For example, contact dermatitis will stop spreading once a person removes the source of irritation. Eczema that has become infected may require topical or oral antibiotic treatment.

One of the main ways people can prevent eczema from becoming more inflamed and itchy is to avoid scratching. Treating flare-ups as quickly as possible can remove the temptation to scratch. It may also help if people keep fingernails trimmed or wear cotton gloves to bed.

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What Is The Difference Between Psoriasis And Ear Eczema

Psoriasis and ear eczema are two different skin conditions. They differ in where the disease appears on your body, how much it itches and how it looks.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder, which means its a skin condition that doesnt go away. People with psoriasis have thick, discolored patches of skin covered with white or silvery scales.

Ear eczema affects the skin in, on and around your ears. Eczema also causes more intense itching than psoriasis. Many people, especially children, can get both eczema and psoriasis.

Q : How Is Eczema Related To Food Allergy

Whilst food allergy can trigger or worsen eczema symptoms in some people, food allergy is rarely the cause of eczema. Most food allergy causes hives , vomiting and irritability within 30 minutes of eating the offending food. Food allergy only occasionally triggers delayed eczema flare ups.

Many babies with moderate or severe eczema will also have a food allergy. In some babies with severe eczema, short term removal of certain food/s using a medically supervised elimination diet may result in better eczema control. An elimination diet should be supervised by a clinical immunology/allergy specialist , in association with a dietitian with specialised knowledge of food allergies.

If there is no improvement in two weeks on the elimination diet, it means that food is unlikely to be the cause of the eczema. If the skin improves, foods are introduced one at a time as a medically supervised food challenge, to confirm which food causes the eczema to flare.

If food allergy is not the cause of eczema, removal of the food/s will not reduce symptoms.

Children with eczema and/or food allergy can have false positive allergy tests, and this can lead to unnecessary removal of foods which may affect growth and development. Removal of foods may also increase the risk of developing allergy to those foods. Therefore, allergy test results should always be interpreted by a clinical immunology/allergy specialist.

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A Dermatologist Can Help You Apply These Findings To Your Situation

When thinking about whether to try something that may reduce your childs risk, many factors play a role. Its essential to consider the climate where you live, family history of allergies, and many other factors.

Your dermatologist can help you develop a strategy thats best for you and your family.

ImageGetty Images

ReferencesAmerican Academy of Dermatology. Atopic dermatitis: Risk factors for disease development. Last accessed January 31, 2018.

Blattner CM and Murase JE. A practice gap in pediatric dermatology: Does breast-feeding prevent the development of infantile atopic dermatitis? J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 71:4056.

Epstein TG, Bernstein DI, et al. Opposing effects of cat and dog ownership and allergic sensitization on eczema in an atopic birth cohort. J Pediatr. 2011 158:265-71.

Little C, Blattner CM, et al. Update: Can breastfeeding and maternal diet prevent atopic dermatitis? Dermatol Pract Concept. 2017 7:63-5.

Ownby DR and Johnson CC. Does exposure to cats or dogs in early life alter a childs risk of atopic dermatitis? J Pediatr. 2011 158:1846.

Natsume O and Ohya Y. Recent advancement to prevent the development of allergy and allergic diseases and therapeutic strategy in the perspective of barrier dysfunction. Allergol Int. 2018 67:24-3

Pelucchi C, Galeone C, et al. Pet exposure and risk of atopic dermatitis at the pediatric age: A meta-analysis of birth cohort studies. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2013 132:616-22.

Tips For Preventing An Eczema Flare

Eczema is a general term that refers to several health conditions that lead to irritated, inflamed, and itchy skin. While eczema is most common in children and babies, anyone can develop this condition, even if youve never had signs of it in the past.

The most common symptoms of eczema include:

• Intense itching
• Redness, inflammation, and areas of swelling
• Leathery, roughened, or scaly patches
• Discolored or dark patches of skin

Eczema symptoms can vary in severity from mild to severe, and its possible to experience multiple symptoms at once. Some individuals have a single flare-up, while others struggle with uncomfortable symptoms throughout their entire lives.

Theres no cure for this common condition, but Dr. Lisa Hitchins at Dermatology Center of Northwest Houston offers personalized eczema treatment. This October, in honor of Eczema Awareness Month, Dr. Hitchins shares five tips for avoiding eczema flare-ups.

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How Can I Prevent Eczema

There is no cure for eczema, but there are a few things you can do to lessen your risk and prevent flare-ups.

If your baby is at risk of eczema because of a family history, it is best to breastfeed them exclusively for the first three months of life, or longer if possible.

Doctors advise continuing breast milk for at least up to six months as you introduce your baby to solid food. Babies should also be protected from such potential allergens as pet hair, mites, and molds.

If you have eczema, try to keep stress to a minimum and take time for yourself to relax.

Get regular exercise. It can help to control stress and increase circulation.

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Choose A Physical Sunscreen

Bard says choosing a physical sunscreen versus a chemical one is the best option for people with eczema. Some chemical sunscreens can be irritating to sensitive skin, she says. According to Piedmont Healthcare, physical sunscreens are also more moisturizing. Look for the words physical or mineral on the bottle and ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

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Prescription Creams And Ointments

If self-care measures dont prevent flare-ups, your doctor may suggest medicines you rub on your skin:

Corticosteroids have long been used to treat eczema. They come in a range of strengths. You usually stop using them once the flare-up is under control.

Calcineurin inhibitors affect how your immune system works. They can curb flare-ups but have serious side effects, so youd probably only use them if other treatments fail.

Clinical Trials For Eczema

Clinical trials are important to medical advances because they test health-related interventions and help discover whether they are safe and effective in humans, per the National Institutes of Health. By participating in one about eczema you can become part of creating a better life for people with the condition.

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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.

How Can I Reduce My Risk

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

• Establish a skin care routine, and follow your healthcare professionals recommendations for keeping your skin healthy.
• Avoid wool and silk, which can dry out your skin.
• Use a mild soap for your bath or shower, and pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it. 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 lukewarm water, not hot water.
• Drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Water helps keep your skin moist.
• Avoid sudden changes in temperature and humidity.
• Limit your exposure to known irritants and allergens.
• Avoid scratching or rubbing your irritated skin.

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Why Is Eczema Worse In Cold Weather

There are different types of eczema, which affect people of all ages. The most common variety is known as atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis affects 1 in 10 Americans, causing patches of extremely dry, itchy, inflamed skin. Sometimes it can appear scaly or crusty. Whatever form it takes, the itchy rashes can drive you crazy and even keep you up all night scratching.

For most people, eczema flares come and go. Several factors team up to make it more common in the cooler months, says dermatologist John Anthony, MD. Cold air, wind and a decrease in humidity can all dry out skin, he says. That loss of moisture can cause eczema to flare.

How Is Eczema Treated

While there is no cure, eczema is quite treatable. Here are some ways to manage your eczema:

• Protect your skin by applying moisturiser every day. Some people with severe eczema might need wet dressings, which cool, protect and rehydrate the skin.
• Treat flare-ups by using ointments or creams prescribed by your doctor.
• Control itching by using antihistamines, a cold compress for the affected area and trying not to scratch.
• Control and prevent infection by keeping your house clean and using antibiotics to treat infection if prescribed by your doctor.

Some dermatologists might also use ultraviolet light to reduce inflammation.

Many people find eczema improves as they get older.

There is no evidence that probiotics and evening primrose oil are effective in treating eczema.

Once you know what triggers your eczema, your doctor may be able to help you develop an eczema action plan. This is a personal guide and checklist for how to manage your eczema and prevent it from flaring up. Ways of managing eczema include:

• avoiding your triggers

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