How Is Eczema Treated What Medications Are Used
Treating eczema can be difficult if the cause is something you cant control, like genetics. Fortunately, you may have some influence over your environment and stress levels. Do your best to figure out what triggers or worsens your eczema, and then avoid it. The goal is to reduce itching and discomfort and prevent infection and additional flare-ups.
Consider these treatment tips:
If your child has skin problems, such as eczema, you can:
- Avoid long, hot baths, which can dry the skin. Use lukewarm water instead and give your child sponge baths.
- Apply lotion immediately after bathing while the skin is still moist. This will help trap moisture in the skin.
- Keep the room temperature as regular as possible. Changes in room temperature and humidity can dry the skin.
- Keep your child dressed in cotton. Wool, silk and manmade fabrics such as polyester can irritate the skin.
- Use mild laundry soap and make sure that clothes are well rinsed.
- Watch for skin infections. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice an infection.
- Help them avoid rubbing or scratching the rash.
- Use moisturizers several times daily. In infants with eczema, moisturizing on a regular basis is extremely helpful.
The Gi Tract Holds The Key
When dealing with eczema , it is critical to look at the GI tract . This is quite common to find a toxic gi tract full of mucus and impacted matter. This must be cleaned out if we are to heal the body. Remember: What you dont eliminate, you accumulate. Accumulation of acids and mucus leads to disease.
Diagnosing Eczema On The Face And Neck Can Sometimes Be Difficult
If the face and neck are the first places a person ever gets a patch of eczema and there are no other areas of involvement, diagnosis may be challenging, says Wan. A persons age and the eczema pattern may provide some clues.
For example, young children are known to often have facial involvement of eczema, and sometimes it just starts on the cheeks with weepy or dry eczema patches, and it may be limited there, says Wan.
The challenge in adults is differentiating between eczema and a rash caused by an allergen or irritant. Trying to distinguish if theres some sort of external trigger is really critical in situations like that, Wan says.
More than 15,000 substances can cause an allergic skin reaction, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. A dermatologist might perform something called a patch test to determine whether contact dermatitis is responsible for a rash on your face or neck.
Two things to keep in mind in this situation: First, some allergens can cause a delayed reaction so your rash may be due to something that touched your skin a while ago. Second, its possible to develop an allergic reaction to a product youve used for years, so dont rule those things out.
Don’t Miss: Best Face Sunscreen For Eczema
How To Relieve Eye Eczema And Other Face Eczema
Allergic women have eczema dry nose and lips on winter season closeup.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. The Wintertime is great for ski lovers and snow fanatics, but its not so great for people with sensitive skin.
During the Winter, lots of people are more prone to dry skin as the humidity level is very low both indoors and outdoors.
For people with sensitive skin, dry skin could trigger an eczema breakout. Thats why its very important in the winter to use hydrating cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens.
If you think youre alone, know that there are 31.6 million people in the U.S. that have some form of eczema and an estimated 1 in 10 individuals will develop eczema during their lifetime, according to the National Eczema Association.
Allergic Eczema On The Face Or Neck
Contact eczema is caused by an allergy. It occurs when your skin has an allergic reaction after coming into contact with a specific product. You may have been exposed to this product several times in the past without having a reaction. Indeed, one characteristic of contact eczema is that the allergy can appear suddenly.
Also Check: African Black Soap Eczema Psoriasis Therapy Body Lotion
Eczema In Young Children And Babies
Eczema can affect anyone at any age, but it is often quite common in young children. When young children have eczema, family history is almost always the cause. Even if eczema doesnt run in the family, genetics could still be at play children who have family members with hay fever, other allergies or asthma are at risk too.
Baby eczema, on the other hand, is often caused when a babys sensitive skin comes into contact with an environmental irritant. These irritants can include:
- certain cleansers, soaps and shampoos
- dry air or colder environments
- certain ointments and baby lotions
- home products with irritating fragrances
To learn more about what products can be used on sensitive baby skin or for children with eczema, check out these products that have the National Eczema Associations Seal of Acceptance.
Whats Causing My Eczema 6 Common Triggers
If youve ever had it, you know it: the dry, red, unbearably itchy skin condition called eczema. And youre not alone one out of every 10 people in the United States has it. Its most common among children, but often found in adults as well.
Eczema actually refers to a number of skin conditions, many of which are related to allergy. The most common is atopic dermatitis, or AD, which is often triggered by food or environmental allergens. Contact dermatitis is another common form of eczema. Its a reaction to allergens and irritants such as soap, detergent, scratchy clothes or nickel jewelry.
An important part of an eczema treatment plan is preventing exposure to allergens and irritants that set off skin problems.
You May Like: Best Body Soap For Eczema Skin
What Should I Do If Over
Sadly, sometimes eczema on the face can prove extremely stubborn to the point where treatment may need to be prescribed by a doctor. “If home treatments are not helping, you may need prescription medications,” says Dr. Shah. “I usually prescribe either a topical steroid or a topical calcineurin inhibitor, a non-steroidal medication that can reduce inflammation and treat eczema.”
Dr. Shah says she sometimes prescribes special moisturizers called barrier repair creams for patients. And if the eczema is severe and not responding to topical treatments, other options include , aka light therapy. There’s a wide range of treatment options for facial eczema, so it often comes down to trial and error in order to figure out what works for you. We’d recommend always consulting your dermatologist before trying anything new.
Read more about caring for skin conditions:
What Triggers Eczema To Flare Up
Eczema affects each person diagnosed with the condition differently. What causes your symptoms to flare up might not trigger someone else with the condition. Common triggers that cause eczema include:
- Touching something youre allergic to.
Do certain foods trigger eczema?
The connection between eczema and food allergies is unclear. If you have food allergies, then one of the reasons why you must avoid that food is that it may cause or worsen your eczema symptoms. Examples of common allergies include:
Pay attention to what you eat. If your eczema flares up after you eat a certain food, then you might have an allergy to it. If you dont have a food allergy, then there are no foods that will cause or worsen your eczema.
Don’t Miss: What Helps Eczema Around Eyes
General Tips For Coping With Eczema
Other tips to manage your eczema include:
- Keep your fingernails short longer nails are more likely to injure your skin when you scratch.
- If the water in your area is hard or alkaline, consider installing a water-softening device.
- Swim in the sea in warm weather whenever you can seawater is known to reduce the symptoms of eczema.
- Use sun exposure for limited periods for example, when swimming at the beach. This can help relieve eczema symptoms. But be aware that ultraviolet radiation is a risk factor for skin cancer and premature ageing of the skin. Also, if sun exposure causes overheating, this can also aggravate eczema.
What Causes Eczema In Adults Look At The Adrenals
Of all the chronic skin conditions, eczema is the one that seems the most temperamental and unpredictable. It appears to be triggered by such diverse and seemingly unrelated causes:
- Metals, in particular, nickel
- Certain fabrics such as wool and polyester
- Irritants such as soaps, detergents, shampoo, bubble bath
- Changes in the weather such as cold and dry weather, dampness
- Allergens such as house dust mites, pet fur, pollen, and molds
We all take this as being normal and do not question it. But this easily triggered sensitivity points to also having adrenal weaknesses, since the adrenal glands are responsible for producing anti-inflammatory steroids that keep our bodies in check in response to external changes in chemistry.
More here on Adrenal Fatigue Natural Treatment for Adrenal Fatigue
Also Check: Eczema On Face And Neck
Reduce The Chances Of Scratching
The most common problem that people with eczema face is itchy skin. You might be very tempted to scratch the area, but try your best to avoid doing that. Some people bandage the affected area to prevent scratching in their sleep. If you are one of them, always keep your fingernails short and in shape to decrease the extent of damage if you do end up scratching.
The Role Of Infection
Antigen stimulation
Infective organisms play an important role in triggering and aggravating atopic dermatitis. Bacteria and in some patients yeasts contribute to chronic inflammation.
Bacterial infection
People who have atopic dermatitis are particularly prone to skin infections with Staphylococcus aureus.
- This is in part due to breaks in dry, split skin, from scratching and from diminished barrier function.
- They also seem to have a reduced ability to fight these common organisms.
- The bacteria that cause infection are also commonly found on healthy skin. The oil on healthy skin is a protective mechanism against invasive infection because the bacteria are lipophobic . Staphylococcal bacteria thrive and invade dry, atopic skin.
- Antimicrobial peptides on the skin surface normally fight these bacteria but may be deficient in the stratum corneum of atopic dermatitis.
As a result, people with atopic dermatitis frequently suffer from boils, folliculitis and infected eczema.
The infection causes eczema to worsen and become more resistant to the usual treatment with emollients and topical steroids. S. aureus produces enterotoxin. This induces the production of enterotoxin-specific IgE, resulting in proliferation and recruitment of more T cells and aggravating dermatitis.
Antibiotics are often required to eliminate the infection and control eczema. However, antibiotics may reduce the biodiversity of the microbiome.
Viral infections
Read Also: Do Chemical Peels Help Eczema
Eczema Affects Everyone Differently
Eczema affects everyone differently. One persons triggers may not be the same as anothers. You might experience eczema symptoms at certain times of the year or on different areas of your body.
Symptoms of eczema are as varied as the potential environmental factors that can lead to irritation: everyone is affected by this skin disease differently. Regardless of vaccine status, Covid-19 is also a potential trigger for eczema, possibly due to the stress of recovering from the virus, or the bodys heightened immune system response to the virus.
Importance Of Eczema Treatment
There is growing evidence that allergens introduced into the body through the skin can lead to the later development of food allergy, asthma and hay fever. Aggressively treating eczema in children and taking steps to restore normal skin barrier function may lower the risk of future development of these conditions.
Don’t Miss: Is Desitin Good For Eczema
Causes Of Scabies And Eczema
Symptoms of scabies and eczema can be similar, but the treatments are different. Eczema is a skin condition that affects adults and children and starts in adolescence. It typically causes red patches on the skin that may itch.
Although both conditions are skin ailments, scabies is contagious, while eczema is not. Eczema is the result of genetic and environmental factors, while scabies is the result of an infestation of microscopic mites.
If you or someone you know suffers from scabies or eczema, you should see a doctor for treatment. Treatment can include medication, creams, or other skin care products.
In addition, you should be careful about sharing clothing, towels, or bedding with someone who has scabies.
Jennifer Lopez’s Latest Pedicure Makes A Strong Case For Bedazzled Toes
If you find that your flare-ups happen when you’re stressed, you may need to identify some lifestyle changes like taking on fewer projects, getting more rest, or finding more time for mindfulness. Likewise, if you notice that your facial eczema gets worse in dry or hot weather, try to plan ahead for AC breaks, come prepared with sunscreen, and find a thicker and more reliable moisturizer that can hang on all day.
Recommended Reading: When To See A Dermatologist For Eczema
When To See A Healthcare Professional
You should see a healthcare provider if your symptoms are interfering with your daily life or are new or worsening.
It’s important to see a healthcare professional immediately if a rash comes on quickly, covers a large portion of the body, blisters, or is accompanied by a fever or pain. This may indicate infection that needs prompt medical treatment.
Talk About Your Skin And Explain It
Instead of hiding your skin and avoiding other people, talk openly about your eczema. Explain what happens when you have a flare-up and remind everyone that its not a contagious disease. Ignorance and fear dont help anyone.
When people ask me, I tell them eczema comes out as itchy red patches on my skin. I stay simple.Jules, 22 years old
Read Also: What’s The Best Remedy For Eczema
What Questions Might My Healthcare Provider Ask To Diagnose Eczema
Your healthcare provider might ask the following questions to learn more about your symptoms, including:
- Where do you have symptoms on your body?
- Did you use any products to try to treat your skin?
- Do you have any medical conditions like allergies or asthma?
- Do you have a history of eczema in your family?
- How long have you had symptoms?
- Do you take hot showers?
- Is there anything that makes your symptoms worse?
- Have you noticed something triggers or worsens your symptoms like certain soaps or detergents?
- Do your symptoms affect your ability to sleep or perform your daily activities?
What Is Facial Eczema
“Eczema is an inflammation of the skin caused by either an allergen or irritant,” says New York-based board-certified dermatologist Anthony Rossi, MD. It can also be genetic, and triggered by irritants.
Facial eczema has many different symptoms that can manifest themselves differently from person to person, but some common things to look for are red patches, itchy skin, stinging, and dryness. With darker skin tones, it also tends to be scaly, says Dr. Rossi.
Eczema is a common condition that can appear anywhere on the body, but if you’re grappling with facial eczema, it’s likely on the eyelids, eyebrows, cheeks, or chin. And while it is common, you definitely should bring it to your dermatologist. “Eczema that develops near the eyes needs special attention because the eyes themselves can be affected,” adds Dr. Alexiades. “Those with eczema around the eyes are more susceptible to certain eye problems such as conjunctivitis, inflamed cornea, and changes in the shape of the cornea, a condition called keratoconus.”
You May Like: Best Body Wash For Eczema For Babies
What Type Of Moisturizer Treats Eczema
There are several options of moisturizer available to treat eczema. Choose skin care products that:
- Are hypoallergenic, fragrance- and dye-free.
- Are gentle or for sensitive skin.
- Contain petroleum jelly or mineral oil.
- Dont include preservatives or stabilizers.
- Have lipids and ceramides to improve your skins barrier.
It may take several different products through trial and error before you find one that works for you. If you need help choosing a moisturizer, talk to your healthcare provider.
How Do I Manage My Eczema Symptoms
Treating and managing eczema can be difficult if the cause is something you cant control, like genetics. Fortunately, you may have some influence over your environment and stress levels. Do your best to figure out what triggers or worsens your eczema, and then avoid it. The goal is to reduce itching and discomfort and prevent infection and additional flare-ups.
You May Like: Best Lotion For Eczema Child
Emollients For Washing And Bath/shower Equipment
Soaps, shower gels and bubble baths can dry out the skin. Its best to use an emollient soap substitute or a cream-based leave-on emollient as a soap substitute.
Your GP may refer you to the Community Occupational Therapy Service if you need special bath/shower equipment for safety or if you have difficulty getting in or out of the bath/shower. They can fit a bath seat, grab-rails, a seat in the shower or an alarm if you get into difficulties.
Bath emollients make the shower tray and bath more slippery. Use non-slip bath mats to help reduce the risk of slipping. Support bars fixed to the wall in the shower or by the bath will provide extra safety when showering/bathing. Pour bath emollient into the bath after you get in rather than before. As an extra precaution its a good idea to empty out bath water before getting out of the bath. Be careful not to knock your legs, as this could lead to ulcers. Use a bandage or pad under support stockings for extra protection.
For more detailed information on emollients for moisturising and washing, please download our Emollients factsheet.