Treatment for Chronic Eczema
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that causes red, scaly, inflamed patches. Generally, these patches are known to show up near joints such as elbows and knees, but can also appear around the eyes, scalp, feet or trunk. Depending on the severity of your condition, there are many treatments as well as preventative measures that you can take to get your itchy eczema under control.
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Who is Susceptible?
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Not everyone is prone to eczema. If you or your family has a history of allergies or asthma, then you may be susceptible to this skin condition. If you are unsure of your family history, then it's a good idea to get tested. Allergy tests are fairly painless and can be done by your allergist. Finding out what types of things you may be allergic to, can help you and your doctor better treat your condition.
Prevention
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Preventing flare ups is key to keeping your chronic eczema under control. Moisturizing is one of the most important things to do. Creams, such as Aquaphor are highly recommended by doctors as they not only moisturize, but act as a barrier between you and irritants. Some of the major eczema irritants are dust, smoke, detergents, cleaners and wool. Once you have targeted your trigger, try to avoid it as much as possible.
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Boost your Immunity
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Because eczema is know as an autoimmune disease, boosting your immune system is key in helping you stay healthy and keeping flare ups at bay. Drinking plenty of water and eating foods high in omega-3, such as salmon, almonds and avocado are a good place to start. Be sure to take a daily multi-vitamin and supplement it with quercitin, omega-3 and B complex vitamins. These are well known for their anti-inflammatory healing powers and can do wonders for your immune system.
Treatments
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For chronic eczema that does not want to go away, some doctors suggest UV light therapy, which can suppress the immune system and help with inflammation. Typically, doctors prescribe cortisone cream, which will clear up patches, but cannot be used for extended periods, due to its long term side effects of skin thinning. Non-steroid creams, such as Elidel are also available by prescription. In extreme cases, cortisone shots or oral steroids, such as Prednisone may be administered, but these too must be taken for very short periods of time due to their more dangerous side effects.
Tips
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Take short, warm showers, moisturize immediately after washing and use fragrance free cleansers, like Cetaphil to make treatments for eczema more effective.
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