What is eczema?
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition involving red, itchy skin. Though it’s more common in children, it can occur at any age.
Usually, eczema is chronic and appears in periodic flares. Many people experience regular flares while others can go for many years without a flare.
What are the symptoms of eczema?
The symptoms of eczema include:
- Red, dry, itchy skin
- Raw, sensitive skin
- Thickened skin with a scaly texture
- Small, raised bumps that can harden when scratched or leak fluid
- Discolored brownish-gray patches on the hands, feet, ankles, neck, wrists, and other areas
Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Some children can develop knots under the skin.
What causes eczema?
Healthy skin helps you to retain moisture and protects you from external elements, such as allergens, bacteria, and other irritants. Eczema is associated with a gene variation that impairs your skin’s ability to protect you, allowing your skin to be affected more by these environmental factors.
In some instances, a food allergy could be the cause of eczema. Your Elite dermatologist might recommend food allergy testing or a food elimination diet to pinpoint allergies like wheat, soy, milk, gluten, dairy, and eggs.
The primary risk factor for eczema is a family history of the skin condition or other related conditions.
If it isn’t properly treated, eczema can lead to asthma and hay fever, skin infections, and chronically irritated and itchy skin.
What are the treatments for eczema?
Your Elite dermatologist diagnoses eczema with a simple examination of your skin and a review of your family history and current symptoms. Medical treatments and self-care measures can provide relief from outbreaks, pain, and itching.
To treat your eczema, your skin care specialist might recommend some of the following treatments:
- Light therapy
- Anti-itch medications
- Antibiotics to fight infection
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Topical creams to control itching
- Sunscreens and moisturizers to soothe skin
- Wet-dressing therapy to bandage your skin in topical corticosteroids
- Medical topical creams that affect your immune system — calcineurin inhibitors
The main goal of eczema treatment is to control uncomfortable symptoms and clear any infection and scaly lesions. The best treatment plan usually includes healthy lifestyle changes, skin care products, and topical medications.
To find relief at home, you could also try:
- Using a humidifier
- Taking a warm bath
- Wearing soft, comfortable clothes
- Stress and anxiety reduction techniques
- Choosing mild soaps that don’t contain perfumes or dyes
The Elite Dermatology team can help you to prevent future flares and manage your eczema. Call or schedule online.
Elite Dermatology has 4 convenient locations in Texas. We happily treat patients in Houston, Fulshear,
Kingwood, Vintage Park, and the Heights.
