How to Treat Eczema on Skin of Color
Eczema produces scaly, bumpy and itchy lesions on the skin. According to the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Training Program (PACWTP) at the University of Pennsylvania, eczema affects people with skin of color by making the skin look ashen. It often leaves discoloration on the skin, even after the eczema has disappeared. Eczema often appears during infancy or childhood, commonly on the skin of the neck, inside the elbows and knees, and on the wrists and ankles. Eczema has no cure, although some, but not all, patients outgrow it. Treat your eczema with the same common household techniques used for those with lighter skin tones. However, moisturizing is key when reducing the ashen appearance and preventing discoloration on darker skin.
Things You'll Need
- Hypoallergenic body cleanser and shampoo
- Soft towel
- Hypoallergenic moisturizer
- Clean cloth
- Corticosteroid cream or ointment
Instructions
-
-
1
Bathe by taking lukewarm showers limited to only five minutes, and use only hypoallergenic or very mild body soaps and shampoos such as baby shampoo and body wash.
-
2
Pat your skin dry with a soft towel after bathing; do not rub, which will only exacerbate the eczema.
-
-
3
Apply a hypoallergenic moisturizer or petroleum jelly to your skin immediately after showering. Use moisturizers as often as needed or when the skin becomes ashen---especially in dry climates or during the cold, dry winter season. Using moisturizers regularly will help reduce darker skin's ashen appearance due to eczema.
-
4
Relieve a flare-up by soaking a clean cloth in cool water and placing it over the affected area, which will provide immediate relief from and itching or burning sensations caused by eczema. Then, apply a small dab of corticosteroid ointment or cream to the affected area; or, if you do not have medication available, apply petroleum jelly or hypoallergenic cream with no dye or fragrance.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If over-the-counter corticosteroid creams or ointments do not produce any positive results (reduction of inflammation, relief from itching, etc.), contact a physician. A dermatologist or other physician can prescribe stronger ointments for the treatment of this skin condition.
