How to Get Rid of Eczema on Arms

Washing your arms with mild soap can help relieve mild eczema.

Eczema is a form of irritation and inflammation of the upper layers of the skin characterized by skin rashes with symptoms that include redness, dryness and itching as well as cracking, crusting, flaking, blistering, inflammation, oozing or bleeding. The key to controlling eczema is through proper skin care, which, in most cases, is enough to treat mild cases of eczema. However, in worse cases, a different approach may be necessary in order to cure and relieve the skin of this condition.

Things You'll Need

• Mild soap
• Moisturizers
• Cortisone and hydrocortisone
• Corticosteroid
• Bandages
• Ultraviolet light
• Immune suppressing drugs
• Antihistamines
• Mild detergents
• Humidifier

Instructions

1. Change your skin care regimen. Use milder skin cleansers instead of harsh soaps when washing your arms. Avoid washing your arms in hot water because it tends to dry out skin.

2. Take a moderate-temperature bath to treat moderate eczema that has created skin crusts. Adding oil to the water can add moisture and remove the skin crust.

3. Rub moisturizers heavily to the affected areas of your arms immediately after your bath. Ask your doctor for a prescription of strong moisturizers and ointments to use. Apply potent moisturizers on your arms on a daily basis. Hydrocortisone and/or corticosteroids creams provide the necessary moisture and healing properties on cracked, flaky or crusty skins. Avoid applying hydrocortisone and/corticosteroids more than twice daily.

4. Apply wet wrap bandaging around your arms where eczema appears. Wet or damp dressings can sometimes help with severe itching. Use wet-wrap dressings with diluted topical corticosteroids. Apply one fingertip unit, or 0.5g, of cortisone on affected areas and wrap with impermeable or semipermeable films.

5. Consult with your doctor regarding ultraviolet light treatment if you have an extreme case of eczema. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe immune suppressing drugs such as cyclosporine or methotrexate. Take them as prescribed without fail.

6. Take allergy shots if allergies cause your eczema. Taking oral antihistamines may help as well. Eliminate allergens and skin irritants in your environment to help prevent eczema.

7. Wear loose clothing during warmer months to allow air circulation. Avoid tight, long-sleeve shirts. Wash clothes using mild detergents to avoid skin irritation.

Tips & Warnings

• Use ointment-based instead of cream-based cortisone. Cream bases have preservatives that can cause skin irritation and sensitivity reactions.

• Avoid eating foods that can cause eczema. For example, egg, nuts or some dairy products can cause eczema in infants.

• Use a humidifier for the room to help prevent your skin from getting too dry.

• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling cortisone ointments to prevent eye irritations.

References

• NaturalHomeRemedies: Natural Home Remedies for Eczema
• OnlineFamilyDoctor: Eczema
• DrGreene: Eczema Causes and Treatments
• National Institutes of Health: Management of Atopic Eczema
• WebMD: Treatments for Eczema

Resources

• SkinSite: Cortisone Creams and Ointments
• MedScape: Wet Wrap Dressing for Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema
• InformaHealthcare: Journal of Dermatological Treatment: Atopic Ointments
• National Institutes of Health: Cortisone Treatment for Eczema
• Journal of American Academy of Dermatology: Ultraviolet Light Treatment of Severe Eczema