Eczema
In this condition factsheet:
Diagnosing Eczema
To make a diagnosis of eczema, your doctor will examine your skin, and ask you questions about your symptoms. If you get inflamed skin, it's important to tell your doctor about any allergies you have and any unfamiliar substances you have recently come in contact with.
Looking at the skin itself will often allow a physician to distinguish particular types of eczema, although sometimes a skin biopsy or other testing is necessary.
Treating and Preventing Eczema
Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan for your eczema that will take into consideration the type of eczema you have, the severity of the eczema, as well as other factors. For most people, a combination of therapies is needed to manage eczema.
Treatment options for most types of eczema can include moisturizers and topical corticosteroids (e.g., betamethasone*, desonide, hydrocortisone, prednicarbate). Other topical medications (e.g., tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, crisaborole) may also be used to treat atopic dermatitis. The most important step in both treating and preventing eczema flare-ups is frequent moisturizing.
In more severe cases, biologic agents (e.g., abrocitinib, dupilumab) that work on specific proteins involved in immune responses may be prescribed. Biologics are typically given as injections or by mouth, depending on the medication.
For some people with more severe eczema, oral corticosteroids may be needed to control symptoms. Antihistamines that cause drowsiness may be recommended for some types of eczema to help with itching and sleep. When skin infections occur, topical or oral antibiotics may be prescribed.
Stasis dermatitis can be helped by keeping in good physical shape so that blood flows freely through the legs. Support stockings can also assist in pumping the blood up out of the leg. Elevating your legs also increases circulation.
Susceptibility to most forms of eczema is genetic and unavoidable. Knowing what allergens and irritants to avoid can help you get through life without being too inconvenienced by eczema.
Other tips to help you deal with eczema include:
- Bathe in cool or tepid water with gentle soap. Minimize the use of soap when possible.
- Use moisturizers immediately after you bathe to keep the moisture locked in. Avoid moisturizers with perfumes, as they may worsen the condition.
- Avoid scratching affected areas. Some people wear cotton gloves at night to prevent scratching in their sleep.
- Keep your fingernails short.
- Don't let sweat stay on your skin.
- Avoid clothes that don't let the skin breathe.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Eczema
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