Treatment for atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, can begin with regular moisturizing and other self-care habits. If these don’t help, your allergist may recommend medicated creams that control itching and help repair the skin. These are sometimes combined with other treatments. Atopic dermatitis can be permanent. You may need to try various treatments for months or years to get it under control. And even if treatment is successful, symptoms may return.
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Drugs Used in Eczema Treatment
There are various medications that can be used to treat eczema. These medications may vary according to the severity and type of symptoms.
Medicated Products Applied To The Skin
There are many options available to help control itching and repair the skin. The products are available as creams, gels, and ointments in various strengths. Your allergist will help you choose the option that is right for you.
Overuse of a corticosteroid product applied to the skin can cause side effects such as thinning of the skin. Creams or ointments containing calcineurin inhibitors may be a good option for those over 2 years old.
Drugs To Fight Infection
Your allergist may prescribe antibiotic pills to treat an infection. For more severe eczema, your healthcare provider may prescribe inflammation-controlling pills to help control your symptoms. These pills are effective but cannot be used long term due to possible serious side effects.
Therapies
In the treatment of eczema, in addition to drug therapy, some therapies also play an important role in controlling the symptoms.
Light Therapy
This treatment is used in people who do not improve with topical treatments or who flare up quickly after treatment. The simplest form of light therapy (phototherapy) involves exposing the affected area to a controlled amount of natural sunlight. Other forms use artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) and narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) alone or in combination with drugs.
Although effective, long-term light therapy has harmful effects such as premature skin aging, changes in skin color (hyperpigmentation) and an increased risk of skin cancer. For these reasons, phototherapy is used less frequently in young children and is not given to infants.
What Can I Do For Eczema?
Sensitive skin care is the first step in treating atopic dermatitis and preventing flare-ups. You can follow some self-care measures to help reduce itching and soothe inflamed skin.
Moisturize Your Skin At Least Twice A Day
Find a product or combination of products that works for you. You can try bath oils, creams, lotions, shea butter, ointments or sprays. Choose products that are free of dyes, alcohol, fragrances, and other ingredients that can irritate the skin. Allow the moisturizer to penetrate the skin before getting dressed.
Apply An Anti-Itch Cream To The Affected Area
A cream containing at least 1% hydrocortisone can temporarily relieve itching. Apply to the affected area no more than twice a day before moisturizing. Once your reaction improves, you can use such creams less often to prevent flare-ups.
Do not Scratch
Try pressing or stroking your skin instead of scratching it. If you can’t stop scratching, cover the itchy area. Keep your nails trimmed. For kids, clipping their nails and getting them to wear socks or gloves at night can help.
Take A Daily Bath Or Shower
Take a shower with lukewarm water instead of hot. After getting out of the shower, apply moisturizing cream while your skin is still damp.
Use A Gentle Soap-Free Cleanser
Choose a product that does not contain dyes, alcohol, or fragrances. Harsh soaps can wash away your skin’s natural oils. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the cleaner you use.
Use A Home Humidifier
Hot, dry indoor air can burn sensitive skin and worsen itching and scaling. A portable home humidifier adds moisture to the air inside your home.
Wear Cool, Smooth-Textured Clothing
Avoid coarse, tight, or scratching clothing. Also, choose lightweight clothing that allows your skin to breathe in hot weather or while exercising. When washing your clothes, avoid harsh detergents and fabric softeners added during the drying process.
Treat Stress And Anxiety
Stress and other emotional disorders can worsen atopic dermatitis. Being aware of stress and anxiety and taking steps to improve your emotional health can also help your skin.
Identify Your Triggers
There are many conditions that can cause eczema. Eczema triggers vary from person to person. Many factors can cause eczema, including allergens, irritants, environmental factors, hormonal changes, food allergies, and skin infections. It would be helpful to see an allergist to determine your trigger. Once your allergist has determined what is causing your eczema, they will inform you about what to do.
What Causes Eczema?
There is no single cause of eczema. Various factors can cause eczema to occur.
Your Immune System: If you have eczema, your immune system overreacts to minor irritants or allergens (triggers) in your environment. When you come into contact with a trigger, your immune system assumes these little irritants are foreign invaders like bacteria or viruses that can harm your body. As a result, triggers activate your body’s natural defense system. Your immune system’s defense is to create inflammation. Inflammation causes eczema symptoms on your skin.
Your Genes: You are more likely to have eczema if you have a family history of eczema or dermatitis. You are also at higher risk if you have a history of asthma, hay fever and/or allergies. Common allergies include pollen, pet dander, or foods that trigger an allergic reaction.
Environmental Factors: There are many things in your environment that can irritate your skin. Some examples include exposure to smoke, air pollutants, harsh soaps, fabrics such as wool, and some skin care products. Dry air can make your skin dry and itchy. Heat and high humidity can cause sweating, which can make your itching worse.
Emotional Triggers: Your mental health can affect the health of your skin, which can cause eczema symptoms to flare up. If you have high levels of stress, anxiety, or depression, you may experience more frequent flare-ups of eczema symptoms.
