What Is The Best Otc For Eczema

October 20, 2021

81

Consume The Right Vitamins

3 Best Over the Counter Creams For Eczema

The following vitamins and minerals are particularly beneficial for eczema. Try to get them by eating a nutritious diet.

Zinc: Seafood, lean red meat, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds
Vitamin C: Brightly colored fruits and vegetables and rosehip
Vitamin E: Sunflower seeds, pine nuts, almonds, dried apricots, avocado
Vitamin D: Best absorbed from sunlight in the summer months , and a D supplement in the winter months.
Flavonoids: Emerging research suggests that flavonoids can help to rebalance the immune system, therefore, being helpful for those with eczema.

Get Relief For Irritated Skin

Sarah is a freelance writer with a focus on health and wellness. She has written for publications like Women’s Health, Healthline, and Parents. She taught creative writing for five years, and has a bachelor’s degree in English from Southern Connecticut State University.

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts, and articles are reviewed by healthcare professionals for medical accuracy. Youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

One in 10 people will experience eczema at some point in their life. It may occur as a singular incident, but many eczema cases ebb and flow depending on environment, stress, and other medical factors.

Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a condition caused by a defect in the barrier of the skin in combination with inflammation in the skin,” explains Charlotte Birnbaum, M.D., F.A.A.D., at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. “Because the barrier is defective in eczema, the skin is more sensitive to allergens and irritants.

We researched dozens of walkers and evaluated them based on their reviews, active ingredients, additional ingredients, and application directions. Each of the retailers chosen in this article were determined to be the best of these factors.

Here are the best soaps for eczema on the market today.

How To Use Topical Corticosteroids

When using corticosteroids, apply the treatment accurately to the affected areas. Unless instructed otherwise by a doctor, follow the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine.

Do not apply the corticosteroid more than twice a day. Most people only have to apply it once a day.

To apply the topical corticosteroid, take the following steps:

Apply your emollient first and ideally wait around 30 minutes, until the emollient has soaked into your skin, before applying the topical corticosteroid.

Apply enough of the topical corticosteroid to cover the affected area, but try to use the smallest amount possible to control your symptoms.

Use the topical corticosteroid until the inflammation has cleared, unless otherwise advised by a GP.

Speak to your prescriber if you’ve been using a topical corticosteroid and your symptoms have not improved.

Also Check: Best Massage Oil For Baby Eczema

Before Taking This Medicine

You should not use triamcinolone if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver disease or
an adrenal gland disorder.

Steroid medicines can increase the glucose levels in your blood or urine. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you apply triamcinolone to your chest, avoid areas that may come into contact with the nursing baby’s mouth.

Best Natural: Wild Naturals Eczema Psoriasis Cream

Contains manuka honey for soothing properties
All-natural

Ingredients not as well studied

We have some bad news for those searching for an all natural eczema product: People are obsessed with natural, but natural doesn’t mean better and less likely to react, Dr. Saedi reveals. I always recommend ingredients that are studied and we know work. This is why the National Eczema Association doesnt endorse any natural products. However, if being all-natural is a must for you, we suggest Wild Naturals Eczema & Psoriasis Cream, which relies on the key ingredients of aloe vera and manuka honey to soothe and hydrate dry skin. According to a study published in November 2018 in AIMS Microbiology, manuka honey is the front runner of honeys for non-peroxide antimicrobial activity, while a number of other studies have found that it is effective in treating eczema.

Active Ingredients: Aloe vera, manuka honey | Uses: Soothes and hydrates dry skin

Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Eczema Cream For Toddlers

Burts Bees Hydrating Overnight Mask

Dr. Baumann also recommends trying the Burts Bees Hydrating Overnight Mask if you need a quick boost of hydration in a travel size. Its 99% natural and includes fatty acids from avocado, as well as prebiotics to support the skins microbiome.

Buy it: BurtsBees.comPrice: $14.99 for 2.5 oz

The Best Eczema Creams: The Final Word

Eczema, also referred to as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that affects an estimated 16.5 million U.S. adults who have AD that initially began at less than two years of age, with nearly 40% affected by moderate or severe disease. Some symptoms include extremely dry skin, severe itching, red bumps that may leak fluid, and deep cracks. Eczema is believed to be caused by genetics rather than an allergic reaction. It surfaces when the skin barrier, which protects from pollutants, irritants, and bacteria, becomes compromised and is unable to provide proper protection. Keeping the skin hydrated can help maintain the integrity of the skin barrier to prevent or treat flare-ups.

Flare-ups can occur sporadically and even go away for years sometimes. Atopic dermatitis typically begins before age five and may continue into adolescence and adulthood. For some people, it flares periodically and then clears up for a time, even for several years. Some examples of triggers that cause flare-ups include allergens , stress, food allergies, and tight clothing. In terms of prevention, try to identify your triggers in advance, regularly moisturize the affected areas, take short showers, wear loose clothing, and use gentle soaps and lotions.

Along with adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, there are several over-the-counter eczema creams that can help alleviate even the most aggravating symptoms.

Ingredient Glossary

Don’t Miss: How Do You Get Eczema In Your Ear

What Does Eczema Look Like

So what does eczema look like? Eczema mainly appears on the skin. Your childs skin would be persistently very itchy and scratchy. The areas of eczema can also be painful to touch. It could also be cracked and dry. There is also the presence of redness and sometimes a skin color change on the affected area. Eventually the skin where the eczema is present would start to thicken and sometimes become blisters. These blisters might be oozing and crusty.

For very young children, this causes a lot of discomfort and gets children cranky. Eczema is present in most bent surfaces like elbow pit and knee pit in children. It can also be found on the face and the trunk of the body. So what is the best eczema treatment?

There are several ways of approaching eczema treatment. These treatments could be with over the counter medications, home remedies, or a combination of both. The intent of eczema treatment is to minimize your childs flare ups, how severe it is and how long the flare up lasts.

Elizabeth Arden Cream Helped Healing

Over The Counter Eczema Cream – Best Natural Treatment For Eczema

I have a daughter that is 3½ years old and a son that is 2, and they have both had severe eczema since they were born. I have tried virtually everything under the sun to try to help their skin. Just recently, a friend gave me another product to try. . . . I thought, here we go again. To my surprise, this has helped better than anything that we have ever used! I am passing on this information in the hopes that it may help some other people: the product is Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant. It is by no means a cure, however, it has healed the skin and also helped with the severe itching!

Dina H.

*The recommendations contained in the Scratch Pad are those of the contributor. NEA provides health information from a variety of sources this information is not intended as medical advice. Persons with questions regarding specific symptoms or treatments should consult a professional health-care provider.

Also Check: Best Cream For Baby Eczema Australia

What Do Atopic Dermatitis And Other Eczema Types Look Like

Topical steroids come in various forms ointments, creams, lotions, sprays, gels, and oils. They also come in various strengths, which range from class 1 to class 7 .

Importantly, a higher steroid concentration does not necessarily mean higher potency, and the vehicles in which the drugs are prepared can also significantly impact strength. You cant tell just by the name of the steroid how potent it is.

Class 1 medications include:

0.05 percent clobetasol propionate Clobex , Olux E , and Temovate E
0.05 percent halobetasol propionate Ultravate
0.1 percent fluocinonide Vanos

Class 2 medications include:

0.05 percent diflorasone diacetate ApexiCon E
0.05 percent halobetasol propionate Elocon
0.01 percent fluocinonide Halog
0.25 percent desoximetasone Topicort

Class 3 medications include:

0.05 percent fluocinonide Lidex-E
0.05 percent desoximetasone Topicort LP

Class 4 medications include:

0.1 percent mometasone furoate Elocon
0.1 percent triamcinolone acetonide Aristocort A and Kenalog
0.1 percent betamethasone valerate Valisone
0.05 percent desoximetasone Topicort

Class 5 medications include:

0.05 percent fluticasone propionate Cutivate
0.1 percent prednicarvate Dermatop
0.1 percent hydrocortisone butyrate Locoid
0.1 percent hydrocortisone probutate Pandel
0.1 percent triamcinolone acetonide Kenalog
0.025 percent fluocinolone acetonide Synalar

Class 6 medications include:

Class 7 medications include:

Editor’s Picks

How To Prevent Eczema Flare

Theres no known cure for eczema, and symptoms wont go away on their own. For most people, eczema is a chronic condition that requires careful avoidance of triggers to help prevent flare-ups.

Moisturize the affected areas at least twice a day. Weve taken the guesswork out of how to stop eczema immediately with an eczema cream.
Take shorter baths or showers with tepid versus hot water. Pat versus rub your skin dry afterward.
Try to identify and avoid the aforementioned triggers that can exasperate your condition.
Only use gentle soaps, cleansers, and body lotions.
Keep a humidifier in the rooms you spend the most time in, like the bedroom Hot, dry indoor air can parch sensitive skin and worsen itching and flaking. Opt for a portable unit or attach one to your furnace to add moisture to the air inside your home.
Wear cool, smooth-textured clothing and avoid clothing thats rough, tight, or scratchy. Also, wear appropriate clothing in hot weather or during exercise to prevent excessive sweating. Take a short, tepid shower immediately after physical activity.
Get a hold of your stress and anxiety. Such emotional disorders can aggravate atopic dermatitis. Try yoga, meditation, exercise, or an activity that brings you pleasure. Speak to a professional if need be.
See a dermatologist to discuss your treatment options if topical creams and lotions arent working.

You May Like: Baby Eczema What Causes It

Is Vaseline Good For Eczema

Vaseline can be used to help treat eczema but it isn’t appropriate as a singular treatment. Petrolatum in Vaseline helps maintain moisture and combat dry skin while also being suitable for people with sensitive skin. This makes Vaseline appropriate for use in conjunction with other treatments for eczema.

What Recommendations Do You Have For Over

14 Best Eczema Treatments, According to Dermatologists ...

In general, one of the best things you can do for eczema is to find a great moisturizer. Lotions can be a bit drying, as they have a higher water content, so board-certified dermatologist and CEO of Curology, Dr. David Lortscher recommends picking a heavier cream with ceramides or petrolatum.

If your skin is particularly dry or if you’re exposed to very cold dry air, you should begin using a thin layer of a heavier moisturizer in the morning to help protect your skin. Moisturizing is the key to improving skin barrier function, resolving symptoms much faster, and reducing relapse with continual treatment.

You May Like: Eczema And Swollen Lymph Nodes

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

Best For Eczema & Psoriasis: Sheamoisture African Black Soap Eczema & Psoriasis Therapy

Courtesy of SheaMoisture

This pick relies heavily on natural ingredients, many of which are certified organic. More specifically, it relies on a trio of hydrating oils, hydrating shea butter, and healing willow bark and oat extracts, making this a great pick for those dealing with eczema and/or psoriasis.

Recommended Reading: Best Lip Treatment For Eczema

What Should You Look For In An Eczema Cream

Eczema is a condition in which the skin barrier is not able to maintain the necessary moisture to provide protection from allergens and environmental stressors. People with eczema tend to have dry, irritated, inflamed skin, says Shari Lipner, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of clinical dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine. Choosing the right moisturizer can help in preventing eczema flares and treating the eczema.

The best eczema creams and lotions are thicker moisturizers, Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, M.D., double board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mudgil Dermatology, tells SELF.

Its especially important to look for a product that contains humectant ingredients as well as moisturizing and skin-protecting ingredients . Humectants help add additional hydration, while ceramides and occlusive ingredients reinforce the skin barrier, ultimately helping to protect you from irritants that might trigger an eczema flare. Keep an eye out for products with a high oil-content-to-water-content ratio as well, recommends Dr. Lipner.

Of course, there are ingredients youll want to avoid too, Dendy Engelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Medical Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, tells SELF. Ingredients to watch out for include fragrances, exfoliating acids , and retinol, she says: These can further irritate the skin by drying them out.

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 We Test Eczema Shampoos

Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain products you can read more about our product review methodology here.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Kautilya Shaurya is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in New York City. He specializes in both general and cosmetic dermatology.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Annie Gonzalez is a board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami, FL. Her specialties include both adult and pediatric dermatology and chronic skin conditions.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any eczema shampoos from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

You May Like: Best Treatment For Atopic Eczema

Cetaphil Restoraderm Eczema Soothing Moisturizer

Ditch the itch with this non-irritating moisturizer. Its clinically proven to be non-drying for those with atopic dermatitis. Colloidal oatmeala common ingredient in OTC eczema productscalms the skin while vitamins and moisturizers hydrate. If you find yourself gritting your teeth in the shower every time body wash hits your hands, consider trying Cetaphils National Eczema Association-approved PRO Gentle Body Wash.

Gentle Soaps And Detergents

Laundry detergent can contain harsh chemicals that aggravate eczema.

Many body washes and cleansers contain detergents, which help provide a soapy lather. Detergents and other lathering agents can dry out the skin, especially in people with eczema.

Bar soaps can also be harsh on the skin because of their alkalinity.

Try using a gentle, no-lather, fragrance-free cleanser. Avoid products with rough particles for scrubbing or exfoliating, as these can further irritate the skin.

Many people with eczema also find that switching to a more gentle, fragrance- or color-free laundry detergent can help improve symptoms.

Try skipping fabric softener, which lingers on clothes and often contains fragrances and chemicals that can cause skin irritation.

Sitting next to a fireplace or near a furnace may feel good, but it can make eczema symptoms worse. The hot, dry air can dehydrate the skin and aggravate the itchiness of eczema.

Use a humidifier during the dry winter months and avoid getting too close to heaters and fireplaces.

Read Also: Steroid Ear Drops For Eczema

Previous articleWhy Does Eczema Come And Go

Next articleHow Do You Treat Eczema