Treatments for Eczema
Treatments for Eczema:
Treatment is aimed primarily at identifying and avoiding the irritant. Identification and avoidance of triggering irritant is the most effective treatment but sometimes the allergen can't be identified or is not completely avoidable so other measures need to be utilized: protective measures such as gloves prevent direct contact, moisturising the skin stops it from drying out and corticosteroid creams can reduce inflammation (various strengths may be used depending on the severity of the condition).
Treatments for Eczema
The list of treatments mentioned in various sources
for Eczema
includes the following list.
Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment
or change in treatment plans.
- Watchful waiting - many children grow out of the condition.
- Symptomatic treatments
- Hydrocortisone creams
- Sedatives - only for severe itching
- Coal tar ointment - for discoid eczema
- Bathing routine changes
- Lubricants after bathing - such as creams or ointments
- Lukewarm bathing
- Avoid lengthy bathing
- Limit or avoid soap
- Non-soap cleanser
- Air-dry skin
- Gently pat dry skin
- Avoid scratching or rubbing
- Distract child when scratching
- Wear soft cotton fabrics
- Maintain a cool environment - sweating or overheating is unhelpful.
- Keep fingernails filed - prevents a child from scratching.
- Antihistamines
- Treat skin infections promptly
- Avoid skin infections
- Corticosteroid creams and ointments
- Oral corticosteroids
- Injected corticosteroids
- Phototherapy (UV A and B light)
- Photochemotherapy (light and psoralen)
- Immunosuppressive drugs - used to treat adults
- Diet changes - to try to find a suspect and then later to avoid a suspected food allergy.
- Allergy exposure reduction - various methods to reduce exposures to potential allergens such as dust or pollen.
- Stress reduction
- Biotin - possibly used for treatment of related severe biotin deficiency
- There is no cure but various measures can be helpful:
- Topical corticosteroid
- Warm olive oil on infant scalps may loosen scales
- Shampoos containing zinc or ketoconazole
- Antidandruff shampoos
- Salicyclic acid shampoos
- Antifungal creams
- Aloe vera gel
- Adding essential fatty acids and methylsulfonylmethane supplements to diet may help in some cases
- There is a wide range of treatments that can be utilised and various methods will have different levels of efficacy depending on the underlying cause
- Avoid triggering or exacerbating factors
- Topical steroids
- Adequate diet to address nutritional deficiencies
- Condy's crystals solution
- Soaking in salty water
- Soaking in white vinegar
- Where gloves if protection from irritants is required
- Reduce nickel in diet
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine
- Light treatment
- Wear cotton gloves to prevent scratching and limit exposure to germs
- Moisturize
- Avoid chemical irritants such as soaps and detergents
- Leg swelling can be controlled by using the following measures:
- Avoid standing for long periods
- Do regular exercise
- Elevate feet when possible (especially while sleeping)
- Wear compression stockings once skin condition is under control
- Measures to treat skin condition include:
- Antibiotics if infection develops
- Moisturizer
- Avoid scratching or rubbing the affected area
- Avoid further damage or injury to the skin
- Dry oozing patches with Condy's solution or dilute vinegar
- Varicose veins may require surgical removal or scleropathy
- Treatment is aimed at reducing itching and inflammation. Identification and avoidance of triggering allergens is the most effective treatment but sometimes the allergen can't be identified or is not completely avoidable so other measures need to be utilized: moisturising the skin stops it from drying out, corticosteroid creams reduce inflammation (various strengths may be used depending on the severity of the condition) and antihistamines alleviate itching. Severe outbreaks may require oral corticosteroids. UV light therapy may benefit some cases. Newer topical medications such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus may be used in some cases but their link to certain cancers is still under scrutiny. An example of a detailed treatment plan is outlined below but obviously these requirements may vary depending on various individual factors:
- Steps for Managing Eczema:
- Bathe only once every 1-2 days - over-bathing can dry the skin.
- Use bath oil to help moisturise skin e.g. Dermaveen, Hamilton's Alpha Ker or QV
- If skin is weeping, avoid bathing with other people to reduce risk of infection
- Oatmeal baths may sooth the skin - plain rolled oats in a stocking placed in the bath may be used instead of commercial oatmeal based bath products.
- Keep the nails short and wear a covering over the hands (gloves or socks) to avoid night-time scratching as the patient is often unaware that they are scratching
- Using low-allergenic washing powders
- Wear cotton clothing as other materials increase sweating and rubbing on the skin
- Moisturise twice a day. It may take some experimentation to find a cream that doesn't irritate the skin. Avoid creams with mineral oils. Commonly used brands include: Alpha Keri, Cetaphil, QV, Dermaveen and Hamiltons
- Oils such as olive oil (extra-virgin) may be used as a moisturizer. Nut oils may be problematic for some people as they may contain protein allergens
- A topical cream called Pimecrolimus may be used to treat eczema - it is non-steroidal and doesn't cause thinning of the skin. Strong steroid-based topical creams may be needed for more resistant patches.
- Use 1-3 Condy's crystals in the bath to dry out weeping eczema lesions - NB these crystals can stain porcelain baths and towels pink. Very red dry skin may benefit from using QV Flare Up Bath Oil.
- Use topical antibacterial cream for infected eczema - oral antibiotics may be recommended in more severe cases.
- Avoid environments that are excessively hot, cold or dry as they can exacerbate skin symptoms
- Avoid any food, chemical or other triggers that may cause or exacerbate symptoms
- Skin lesions may be wrapped in cotton bandages to reduce scratching and allow topical moisturizers and steroid creams to stay on the skin and absorb better
- Avoid or reduce exposure to allergens such as dust mites and moulds. Measures may include: dust mite protective bedding; wash bedding in hot water; air mattress on hot or dry days; dust room with a wet rag; use a dust mite filter on the vaccum cleaner and vacuum regularly; use mould resistant paint on bathroom walls; remove obvious mould which can grow in dark, warm, damp areas; be aware of other sources of mould e.g. pot plants, grasses, compost and water-based air conditioners
- If eczema doesn't respond to treatment, trial an elimination diet (supervised by a medical professional) to try to identify possible food triggers
- Treat acute hives with an antihistamine such as Zyrtec
- Dieticians may be utilised to devise an appropriate diet of food has a large implication on the condition
- Immunotherapy may be used to desensitise and individual who has a specific allergy
Eczema: Is the Diagnosis Correct?
The first step in getting correct treatment is
to get a correct diagnosis.
Differential diagnosis list for Eczema may include:
Hidden causes of Eczema may be incorrectly diagnosed:
Eczema: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers
Products, offers and promotion categories available for Eczema:
Eczema: Research Doctors & Specialists
- Allergy Specialists:
- Immune-Related Disease Specialists (Immunology):
- Skin Health Specialists (Dermatology):
- Lung Health Specialists (Pulmonologist):
- more specialists...»
Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.
Drugs and Medications used to treat Eczema:
Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, treatment
or change in treatment plans.
Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Eczema include:
- Dexamethasone
- Fluticasone
- Advair
- Advair Diskus
- Cutivate
- Clobetasol
- Clobevate
- Clobex
- Cormax
- Embeline
- Embeline E
- Dermovate
- Gen-Clobetasol
- Novo-Clobetasol
- Clocortolone
- Cloderm
- Lidex
- Lidex-E
- Fluocinonide
- Lidemol
- Lyderm
- Lydonide
- Tiamol
- Topsyn
- Flurandrenolide
- Cordran
- Cordran SP
- Iodoquinol and Hyrdocortisone
- Demazene
- Vytone
- Lidocaine and Hydrocortisone
- Lida-Mantle HC
- Ichthammol
- Egoderm Cream
- Ichthammol Ointment
- Eogerm Ointment
Latest treatments for Eczema:
The following are some of the latest treatments for Eczema:
Hospital statistics for Eczema:
These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Eczema:
- 0.08% (10,251) of hospital episodes were for dermatitis and eczema in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 93% of hospital consultations for dermatitis and eczema required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 49% of hospital episodes for dermatitis and eczema were for men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 51% of hospital episodes for dermatitis and eczema were for women in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- more hospital information...»
Medical news summaries about treatments for Eczema:
The following medical news items
are relevant to treatment of Eczema:
Buy Products Related to Treatments for Eczema
Book Excerpts: Treatment of Eczema
Treatments of Eczema: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the treatments of Eczema.
Atopic dermatitis:
Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Measures to ease this chronic disorder include meticulous skin care, environmental control of offending allergens, and drug therapy. Because dry skin aggravates itching, frequent application of nonirritating topical lubricants is important, especially after bathing or showering. Minimizing exposure to allergens and irritants, such as wools and harsh detergents, also helps control symptoms.
Drug therapy involves corticosteroids and antipruritics. Active dermatitis responds well to topical corticosteroids, which should be applied immediately after bathing for optimal penetration. Oral antihistamines are commonly used to help control itching. A bedtime dose may reduce involuntary scratching during sleep. If secondary infection develops, antibiotics are necessary. A newer treatment is the use of topical immunomodulators; these agents are steroid-free and have demonstrated an 80% success rate in studies.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Dermatitis:
Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Effective treatment for atopic lesions consists of eliminating allergens and avoiding irritants, extreme temperature and humidity changes, and other precipitating factors; local and systemic measures relieve itching and inflammation. Antihistamines relieve itching and induce more restful sleep. Topical application of a corticosteroid ointment, especially after bathing, often alleviates inflammation. Between steroid doses, application of a moisturizing cream can help retain moisture. Systemic corticosteroid therapy should be used only during extreme exacerbations. Topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus (an immunosuppressant known as a topical immunomodulator) are new agents used in patients older than age 2 who are intolerant of or unresponsive to conventional therapy. Weak tar preparations and ultraviolet B light therapy are used to increase the thickness of the stratum corneum. Antibiotics are appropriate if a bacterial agent has been cultured.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Atopicdermatitis:
Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)
Measures to ease this chronic disorder include meticulous skin care, environmental control of offending allergens, and drug therapy.
CLINICAL TIP: Because dry skin aggravates itching, frequent application of nonirritating topical lubricants is important, especially after bathing or showering. Minimizing exposure to allergens and irritants, such as wools and harsh detergents, also helps control symptoms.
Drug therapy includes a corticosteroid and an antipruritic. Active dermatitis responds well to a topical corticosteroid, such as fluocinolone acetonide and flurandrenolide; however, the drug should be applied immediately after bathing for optimal penetration. An oral antihistamine, especially a phenothiazine derivative such as methdilazine and trimeprazine, can help control itching. A bedtime dose of an antihistamine may reduce involuntary scratching during sleep. If a secondary infection develops, an antibiotic is necessary.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Dermatitis:
Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)
Effective treatment of atopic lesions consists of eliminating allergens and avoiding irritants (strong soaps, cleansers, and other chemicals), extreme temperature changes, and other precipitating factors. Local and systemic measures relieve itching and inflammation.
Clinical tip Prevention of excessive dryness of the skin is critical to successful therapy.
Topical application of a cortico-steroid ointment, especially after bathing, usually alleviates inflammation. Between steroid doses, application of a moisturizing cream can help retain moisture. Systemic corticosteroid therapy should be used only during extreme exacerbations.
Weak tar preparations and ultraviolet B light therapy are used to increase the thickness of the stratum corneum. Antibiotics are appropriate for crusted and weeping lesions.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Eczema may not be a life-threatening condition, but it is life altering. Learn how people can manage eczema by avoiding triggers and treating...
Alleviating the symptoms of eczema is important for people who suffer with this skin condition. Steroid therapies have been a great help, but their...
There are a variety of different treatments that can help control eczema. The therapies can come as creams, ointments or even as pills. However, not...
Millions of people suffer from the skin condition eczema marked by red, itchy patches that sometime become infected. Listen to experts talk about the...
See full list of 8 related videos
» Next page: Alternative Treatments for Eczema
Rate This Website
What do you think about the features of this website?
Take our user survey and have your say:
Website User Survey
Medical Tools & Articles:
Next articles:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Forums & Message Boards
- Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
