A Guide To Treat Eczema

Eczema is a general term used for several inflamed skin conditions, and one of the most common types of eczema is atopic dermatitis. Based on the external factors, atopic dermatitis comes and goes. The causes of eczema are not well known, but widely accepted norm is that it is an abnormal response of immune system of the body. Eczema is not contagious, and in most patients, it can be easily managed with right treatment and trigger avoidance.


You should also prevent the dry skin by taking warm showers instead of baths. Some simple precautions such as frequent moisturization, reducing stress and avoiding sudden changes in temperature, scratchy materials, environmental factors that may trigger allergies, harsh soaps and detergents and foods that can cause outbreaks can help cure the condition. It is important to avoid wearing the rough, tight-fitting or scratchy clothes, and do not scratch the rashes. Eczema is usually itchy and dry, and it is really beneficial to keep the skin moist by using creams and lotions, and it is most effective when applied just after a warm bath so that the moisture gets locked in.


If it is not possible to identify and remove allergy-causing agents, you can lessen the allergy inflammatory response. Prescription corticosteroid ointments and creams are more effective, but they can also have some serious side effects. One side effect of these creams is thinning of skin, and to avoid it, doctor will limit the duration of the treatment, and also the location to which the treatment is applied. Oral corticosteroids are used to treat severe flare-ups.


Skin affected by eczema may become infected, and can be treated by oral or topical antibiotics to kill bacteria that cause infection. Pimecrolimus and tacrolimus are two commonly used topical medications approved by FDA, and they work by modulating the immune response. Steam bath and sunbath are also well known to treat eczema as they kill the bacteria and other germs responsible for causing infection and rashes. Phototherapy and tar treatments are also effective, but tar can be quite messy, and phototherapy requires use of special equipments.


The goal of eczema treatment is to prevent inflammation, itching and worsening of the condition. For children, it might be difficult to resist the urge to scratch, and hence condition can become worse. Treatment of eczema is always based on the person's age, severity of the condition, and overall health status.