What Is The Best Treatment For Eczema

Other Treatments And Light Therapy For Severe Eczema

In especially severe eczema cases, doctors may prescribe an oral immunosuppressant, such as Neoral, Sandimmune or Restasis , Trexall or Rasuvo , or CellCept .

These drugs carry potentially serious side effects, such as an increased risk of developing dangerous infections and cancers.

If patients develop a skin infection that’s affected by eczema, doctors will prescribe antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal drugs to treat it, depending on the particular cause.

Light therapy using ultraviolet waves is a common treatment for people with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

Skin improvements dont occur immediately but instead become evident after one to two months of treatments several times a week, according to the National Eczema Association. Light therapy is effective for up to 70 percent of people with eczema.

Burns, increased skin aging, and a higher risk of skin cancer are potential side effects, particularly if the patient receives light therapy for a long period of time.

In March 2017, the FDA approved a drug called Dupixent for the treatment of moderate to severe eczema in people who have not responded well to topical approaches. A self-administered injectable drug, dupilumab is sometimes used in conjunction with light therapy and works by blocking the activity of certain inflammatory chemicals in the body.

The side effects of dupilumab are generally mild and include pink eye, injection site reactions, and cold sores.

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.

Otc Medicines For Eczema

Over-the-counter eczema remedies are topical and oral medications you can buy without a prescription. You can find a range of OTC treatments that help with eczema symptoms such as itch, redness, irritation or rash. Other OTC treatments can help prevent flares and assist with sleep when night-time itch is keeping you awake.

Many OTC products are available in both brand-name or generic forms.

Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin From Eczema

How Do I Take Care Of Myself

Reducing your stress is very important. Try these tips:

• Count to ten as you take a deep breath.
• Exercise daily.
• Try not to drink as much caffeine and alcohol.
• Sleep eight hours a night.
• Eat healthy.
• Try to have a positive attitude.
• Journal every day.
• Talk about your life with friends, family and a therapist.

Things To Consider With Otc Products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration decides whether a medicine is safe enough to sell over the counter. However, using OTC medicines still has potential risks. Some interact with other prescription or OTC medicines, supplements, foods or beverages. Others cause problems for people with certain medical conditions. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any OTC medicines for eczema.

Its important to correctly follow directions for OTC medicines and be careful when administering them to children. You should never take OTC eczema drugs for longer durations or in higher doses than the product label recommends.

Some common OTC treatments for eczema include:

Also Check: Oatmeal Bath For Eczema Recipe

How To Use Topical Corticosteroids

Do not be afraid to apply the treatment to affected areas to control your eczema.

Unless instructed otherwise by a doctor, follow the directions on the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.

This will give details of how much to apply.

Most people only have to apply it once a day as there’s no evidence there’s any benefit to applying it more often.

When using a topical corticosteroid:

• apply your emollient first and ideally wait around 30 minutes until the emollient has soaked into your skin, or apply the corticosteroid at a different time of day
• apply the recommended amount of the topical corticosteroid to the affected area
• continue to use it until 48 hours after the flare-up has cleared so the inflammation under the skin surface is treated

Occasionally, your doctor may suggest using a topical corticosteroid less frequently, but over a longer period of time. This is designed to help prevent flare-ups.

This is sometimes called weekend treatment, where a person who has already gained control of their eczema uses the topical corticosteroid every weekend on the trouble sites to prevent them becoming active again.

Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream $747

Eucerins Eczema Relief Cream for eczema-prone skin is excellent at reducing flare-ups thanks to its ingredients of colloidal oatmeal, which treats redness and swelling, and ceramides that help to repair the skin barrier, Dr. Mack said.

Not to mention, the less-than-$10 ticket price on this formula cant be beaten.

Read Also: How To Fade Eczema Scars

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.

Whats The Difference Between Dermatitis And Psoriasis

Psoriasis and dermatitis can appear similar. Both cause patches of red skin. However, in psoriasis, the scales are thick and the edges of those scales are well-defined.

Discuss with your healthcare provider your questions about which type of skin condition you have. You can have more than one skin condition at a time. Treatments for one may not work for the other.

Recommended Reading: Causes Of Eczema On Feet

Wrap Up In Cold Weather

Cold, harsh winter winds can dry out the skin and cause eczema flares.

Keep the skin covered when temperatures are low. Also, consider covering the face with a scarf if eczema occurs in this body region.

While many home remedies are suitable for babies and children, always speak with a doctor before using them.

The following home remedies and tips may help:

Eczema Coping Tips Diet

In most cases, eczema isnt caused or made worse by diet. If you notice that your eczema seems to get worse after eating a particular food, you may be an exception to this. See your doctor or dietitian for proper allergy testing and dietary advice.Never self-diagnose or you risk depriving yourself of enjoyable and nutritious foods for no good reason. Unnecessarily avoiding certain foods can lead to nutritional deficiencies.

Recommended Reading: Cortizone 10 Eczema For Babies

Best With Great Scent: Green Goo Non Prescription Eczema Treatment

Next on the list, weve got yet another treatment that manages to win our hearts. Its the green goo non prescription eczematreatment and its widely considered as one of the most convenient treatments you can buy. The green goo non prescription eczema treatment is good for minor skin irritations, works well for baby acne and it is highly recommend. Enjoy nursing while protecting your sensitive skin. This belly cream helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks and it soothes and moisturizes itchy skin.

The treatment provides soothing relief for sore, cracked nipples. Most importantly, the green goo non prescription eczema treatment is lanolin free, safe for cloth diapers, and it helps relieve a broad array of skin irritations from diaper rash to eczema.

Almost all customers found that the treatment is used for elderly people. Moreover, a few say that the treatment looks better after three hours. Overall, the tone of buyers is very positive and we believe that the treatment suits the purpose.

Top Customer Quotes:

• As your body stretches, its essential to hydrate and nourish your skin.
• This provides soothing, nourishing, and healing skin protection for babies.
• Plants with purpose green goo is woman owned, family run, and b-corp certified.
• This is a delicate, all-natural formula with just five simple, but effective, ingredients.

Identify And Avoid Potential Triggers

A person can take steps to improve eczema by avoiding substances that may irritate the skin, such as soap, essential oils, and scented products.

While sun exposure can decrease inflammation in the skin and improve eczema, the heat and sweat from sun exposure can trigger a flare.

Other potential triggers for eczema symptoms include:

Read Also: Is Beeswax Good For Eczema

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.

How Is Phototherapy Used To Treat Eczema

Nearly 70 percent of patients who are treated with phototherapy have positive results, but its important to note that this treatment is not for everybody.

It is important for the doctor to determine what type of UV light is right for you in order to time the treatments and avoid risks to your health. The amount of light exposure is timed and increased as treatment progresses.

Some areas may not have phototherapy readily available and accessible. Talk with your doctor. A trip to the tanning bed is not a replacement for phototherapy.

Also Check: Can Eczema Spread By Scratching

Types Of Facial Eczema

Eczema is actually a term for a group of conditions that cause itchy, red, and inflamed skin rashes. The types of eczema that are most likely to appear on the face are:

• Atopic dermatitis: This is the most common type of eczema overall. It is very common on the cheeks and chin, especially in infants. It can also appear around the eyes, on the eyelids, and around the lips. It can, however, occur anywhere on the face or the rest of the body.
• Contact dermatitis: This is also a common type of eczema. It is a skin reaction to a specific irritant. On the face, it is usually found around the eyes, the hairline, and in areas that contact perfumes and jewelry, like the neck and earlobes. But, like atopic dermatitis, this type of eczema can occur anywhere.
• Seborrheic dermatitis: This type most often occurs around the hairline, in the eyebrows, around the ears, and on the sides of the nose.

Eczema Coping Tips Good Hygiene

Skin affected by eczema is more vulnerable to a range of infections, including impetigo, cold sores and warts. The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus may cause a secondary infection of impetigo, and possibly contribute to the symptoms of eczema.Suggestions for washing include:

• Take lukewarm baths or showers, and avoid really hot showers.
• Dont use ordinary soap, as the ingredients may aggravate your eczema. Wash your body with warm water alone. For armpits and groin, use soap-free products, such as sorbolene cream.
• Bath oils can help to moisturise your skin while bathing.
• When towelling dry, pat rather than rub your skin.

You May Like: Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream For Eczema Review

Risks And Symptoms Of Atopic Dermatitis

While eczema isnt necessarily life-threatening it can drastically impact everyday life. Atopic eczema not only causes discomfort and itchiness on various parts of the body including the scalp, elbows, and knees but can rub against clothing, active gear, and more, making it difficult to participate in certain workplace or fitness activities.

Itching the rash is hard not to do, especially for young children dealing with atopic dermatitis. Finding the right antihistamine for a child suffering from eczema may take time and, in the interim, the child may succumb to severely itchy skin. Scratching can cause open wounds, leaving that individual at a higher risk for skin infections, red marks, and scarring.

Some people may develop scaly skin where eczema breakouts last for long periods of time or where they have itched repeatedly. For some, an eczema breakout is unsightly and embarrassing, affecting an individuals mental health. During a severe eczema break out, one may be inclined to stay inside, cancel plans, and call out of work.

Surprising Ways Parents Make Eczema Itchier

Some itch-relieving techniques that people use can make eczema itchier. To prevent this, dermatologists recommend that you avoid:

Recommended Reading: Remedies For Eczema On Hands

Why Does Eczema Appear On The Hands

There can be a variety of reasons why eczema appears on the hands. For example, the hands can be affected by irritant or allergic contact dermatitis or both at the same time.

Coming into contact with irritants such as dust, detergents, cleaning agents, airborne sprays or even just frequent hand-washing can cause irritant hand eczema . The skin on the palms of the hands is much thicker than elsewhere on the body and is normally able to withstand a great deal of wear and tear. But in people who regularly immerse their hands in detergents or solvents, the protective barrier of the skin breaks down, and eczema may develop. People who have this form of hand eczema often have a history of eczema in childhood.

Allergic hand eczema arises as a result of an allergic reaction to a particular substance in the environment. It is possible to be allergic to a number of different substances, but common causes of contact sensitivity include nickel, fragrances, preservative chemicals, rubber and various plants, amongst other things. Once a persons immune system has identified a substance as harmful, they will react to the substance every time their skin is exposed to it, and this reaction becomes more severe on every exposure to the allergen.

When an allergic reaction of this kind is suspected, your GP should refer you to a dermatologist, who will normally perform patch tests to try to identify the allergic cause.

How Should You Treat Eczema

• On the one hand, creams to be applied to plaques: cortisone creams, ointments based on topical immunosuppressants, soothing repair creams. The treatment is envisaged from the first red plaques until they disappear
• On the other hand, creams to be applied to dry skin: emollients are available in the form of lotions, creams or balms to adapt to all levels of skin dryness. The treatment is envisaged over a long period of time and prevents the appearance of new flare-ups.

• Oral tablets: mainly cyclosporine based, in some forms of adult eczema. The treatment is prescribed over a period of usually one to two years, to help the patient to pass an inflammatory “milestone”
• Injections: a new biotherapy type of treatment has been added to the therapeutic arsenal and constitutes a useful alternative for adults suffering from severe eczema and facing a therapeutic impasse
• Thermal cures: they are for young and old alike and last three weeks.

• Age
• Impact on quality of life
• Previous treatments for eczema

Read Also: Can You Have Eczema All Over Your Body

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.

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.

You May Like: Best Probiotic For Baby With Eczema