Eczema: Whats The Treatment for You?

Articles On Eczema

Eczema can be a frustrating skin condition, whether you get it a few times a year or deal with it every day. It's important to work closely with your doctor to make a plan that will help you control the itch and rash.

Eczema treatment has four main goals:

• Control the itch.
• Heal the skin.
• Prevent flares.
• Prevent infections.

The right treatment for you depends on your age, medical history, how bad your symptoms are, and other things. You’ll probably need to use a mix of remedies to get the best results. And there are things you should do on your own to keep your skin healthy and clear.

Here's your complete guide to eczema treatments.

Medications

Eczema meds can relieve your symptoms and help the skin heal when you take them as directed. The treatments may not have the same effects on everyone, though. So you and your doctor may need to try a few options to see what works best for you. Treatment plans may need to be changed sometimes when medications stop working as well as they once did. Learn more about treatments for when your eczema gets worse.

Corticosteroid creams, solutions, gels, foams, and ointments. These treatments, made with hydrocortisone steroids, can quickly relieve itching and reduce inflammation. They come in different strengths, from mild over-the-counter (OTC) treatments to stronger prescription medicines.

OTC hydrocortisone is often the first thing doctors recommend to treat mild eczema. You may need different strengths of these steroids, depending on where and how bad your rash is. For example, a doctor may prescribe a more potent one for thick, scaly skin. Side effects from these meds, such as thinning skin and stretch marks, are rare when you use them as directed. Read more on special care for damaged and broken skin.

PDE4 inhibitor. A prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory called crisaborole (Eucrisa) can treat mild to moderate forms of eczema. A twice-a-day application for patients 2 and older has been effective in easing inflammation and helping the skin look more like normal. Get details on how to use crisaborole ointment for eczema.

Barrier repair moisturizers. You can get these over the counter and by prescription. They help lock water into your skin, repair damage, and ease dryness, redness, and itching. Some products may have irritating fragrances or other ingredients, so ask your doctor or pharmacist which ones you should try or avoid. Find out which moisturizers are best for eczema.

Calcineurin inhibitors.Pimecrolimus and tacrolimus, medicines you rub on your skin (called topicals), treat moderate-to-severe eczema for some people. They ease inflammation, but they aren't steroids. Doctors often recommend these if OTC steroids don’t work or cause problems. Some research showed that they may raise the risk of skin cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, so the FDA issued a special warning for them. But more recent studies don’t agree. Talk to your doctor about these risks before you take the drugs. View a slideshow to see the types of eczema treatments.

Corticosteroid pills, liquids, or shots. These powerful drugs help relieve symptoms of severe or hard-to-treat eczema. Because of the risk for side effects such as skin damage and bone loss, you should take them only for a short time. View a slideshow to learn more about corticosteroids.

Systemic immunomodulators. Drugs that weaken your immune system, including cyclosporine, methotrexate, and mycophenolate mofetil, help keep your body's defenses from overreacting. You can take them as pills, as liquids, or as a shot. They can help people with moderate-to-severe eczema when other treatments haven’t worked. They ease itching so you scratch less, and your skin has time to heal. Serious side effects include high blood pressure and kidney problems. You should take these medicines for only a short time to limit the risk for these problems. Some of them aren’t recommended for children. Learn more about the immune system and how it works.

Biologics. These are man-made medications with proteins from living tissues or cells. They calm your immune system, easing inflammation and eczema symptoms. You get them through a shot under your skin or a needle in a vein. Dupilumab (Dupixent) is the first FDA-approved biologic for people 6 and older with moderate to severe eczema when other treatments haven’t worked. Watch a video to see how biologics work.

Antibiotics. Scratching damages your skin, which allows bacteria to get under it and cause an infection. These medicines treat bacterial skin infections. Find out more on antibiotics and how to take them.

Antihistamines. When you take them at night, these drugs relieve itching and can help you sleep. Read more on antihistamines and their side effects.

Skin Care at Home

When you keep your skin healthy, you can prevent dryness, itching, redness, and maybe lessen the need for medication. Plus, it feels good to pamper yourself. Try these tips:

Bathe only in warm water. Hot water dries out skin. Wash with a gentle cleanser instead of soap. Don't use body scrubbers or washcloths, which can be irritating. Pat dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing, and be sure to leave your skin damp.

Apply moisturizers daily. Do it right after you bathe or wash your hands. Choose fragrance-free moisturizers that won't irritate you. Try using a thicker skin cream or ointment that has more oil at night, and wear cotton gloves or socks to lock in moisture. Gloves can also keep you from scratching in your sleep.

Avoid too much bathing and hand washing. It will dry out your skin. Steer clear of alcohol-based hand cleaners, too.

Limit your contact with skin irritants. Household cleaners, laundry detergents, perfumed soaps, bubble baths, cosmetics, and many other things can make eczema worse. Learn what irritates your skin so you can avoid it.

Choose cotton clothes that fit comfortably. Wool and synthetic fibers can be irritating. Also, be sure to wash new clothes before you wear them for the first time. Use fragrance-free laundry soap, and rinse your laundry thoroughly.

Avoid getting overheated. When you’re hot and sweaty, it can trigger itching and scratching. After a workout, rinse off right away in a warm shower.

Know your triggers. Many people with eczema react to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, animal dander, and mold.

Ease stress. It can be hard to find time to relax, but lowering your stress level will help you avoid symptom flare-ups.

Get more information on home remedies for eczema.

Read more on: skin problems and treatments, eczema