If you have eczema, you are already familiar with the constant itching and redness that comes with experiencing flare-ups. When people classically think of eczema, they refer to atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition that is usually driven by inflammation. However, eczema can also refer to many other types of dermatitis, including contact dermatitis, hand umogenic tumors, neurodeteritis, and luctal dermatitis, according to the American Association of Dermatology.
While all the world’s precautions can be taken to keep the skin moisturized with minimal exposure to eczema, sometimes flare-ups of eczema can simply be inevitable. Treatment of eczema starts with a solid skincare routine, but to soothe dry, itchy skin, you may need more than a moisturizer. Here are some recommended by experts:
What does eczema look like?
Eczema causes dry, itchy red spots on various parts of the body. Babies tend to develop eczema on their cheeks, but as they get older, they can begin to appear on the inside of their elbows, behind their knees, even on their hands and eyelids, a dermatologist at Mercy Medical Center.
Moderate to severe eczema can cover a wide range of skin, according to Dr. Catherine Gordon, an associate professor of dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Eczema covers 25% to 30% of your skin, and it can affect every part of the day, from discomfort at work or school to getting in the way of night sleep.
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During severe eczema burns, the skin becomes extremely inflamed. Dr. Angad Chada, a dermatologist and assistant professor at Uchikago Medicine, says the rash can begin to shrink, flake, ooze and leak.
Caution: It can also prevent how to treat dry skin. Here’s how to do both:
What causes eczema?
“We’re still learning a lot about why some people develop eczema, and some people don’t,” says Baruch. However, she says that the family history of atopic dermatitis (a group of allergic conditions such as asthma, allergies and eczema) is likely to be a predisposition to eczema.
Eczema usually appears in childhood and affects approximately 25% of children with each AAD. However, there are adults in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who develop chronic adult-onset eczema. Again, although we still don’t fully understand the exact reason why this could occur, experts suspect it is related to changes in the immune system, Chada says .
There are many environmental factors that can cause eczema flare-up. This always varies from person to person, says Gordon. Some potential triggers include temperature changes, due to dry skin, and exposure to irritating chemicals and preservatives found in common skin care products, she says .
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How do you eliminate eczema?
Currently, there is no cure for eczema, but some children can grow beyond that as they get older. For those experiencing consistent flare-ups, treatment plans usually involve following a combination of prescription medications and a strong skincare regimen, Chada says.
To relieve dryness and itching, step 1 is to find a gentle, hypoallergenic moisturizer that will help seal this skin barrier. Patients with sensitive skin should be drawn to thick, bland emollients and moisturizers, which will make them more consistent, Gordon says. Moisturize consistently at least once or twice a day. Chada is recommended.
If eczema symptoms persist, dermatologists can prescribe topical medications that include steroid creams and calcinulin inhibitors that can address the inflammation caused by eczema, Chada says. If topical treatment is not sufficient to control symptoms, or if the eczema is particularly severe, there are oral medications and injectable biology that can help regulate the immune system’s response to eczema, says Gordon.
While it cannot completely prevent eczema flare-up from returning, most importantly, exposure to common triggers should be minimized and minimized, says Gordon.
Additionally, consider getting a humidifier during autumn, winter and spring. If it’s a little dry outside, the humidifier can encourage your skin to retain moisture, says Chada. You should also make sure your shower is not hot for long and hot, but rather keep the warm water short. This helps maintain the natural oils of your skin, he adds.