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Managing Eczema: Are New Treatments Like Eucrisa Worth It?
MedShadow (blog) They are generally inexpensive, and for the vast majority of patients, that's how we start treatment,” explains dermatologist Amy Paller, MD, director of the Northwestern University Skin Disease Research Center in Chicago. American Academy of … |
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Managing Your Life With Skin Problems From Dermatitis
Eczema is one skin condition that can be very difficult to figure out and master. Given this fact you will most likely try several treatments some which will work and some which will not. It is trial and error so don’t give up. It is important to keep track of the treatments that seem to be working both to reduce redness as well as for itching purposes. Try to test just one or two variables at a time to measure this.
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The first thing on anyone’s mind with dermatitis is how to minimize or eliminate itching. The secret here involves moisturizing. Dry skin can be a huge trigger for eczema flare-ups. It is best if you apply thick non-scented lotion for sensitive skin directly after showering. This helps lock in the moisture and prevent scaling and peeling. Don’t just do this once a day but continue applying the lotion throughout the day. When your skin is hydrated, the inclination to scratch it is reduced.
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A great option for someone who needs immediate relief is taking an antihistamine. These antihistamines will help make the allergic reaction your skin is having less intense and give you the ability to sleep without discomfort. People have found antihistamines helpful for red ant bites and very intense itching scenarios. Do not use a night version of an antihistamine during the day as that will impeded your ability to concentrate at school or work efficiently at the office.
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Some moisturizers that people find helpful include aquaphor, vaseline, coconut oils and products containing aloe vera as well as tea tree oil. Check for any allergies and be sure to read labels for additives you have problems with such as nuts or dairy ingredients. Your dermatologist may ask you to use a steroid cream topically twice a day as well to help skin irritations and bumps.
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Study both your environment and your diet closely. There may be hidden factors at play that are making your skin aggravated. Call cousins you may have lost touch with to see if they have had similar skin issues. Sometimes there is a genetic thread that can be uncovered and you can share their discoveries. Do not give up or feel it is hopeless. As you identify triggers you will heal the skin and be less troubled by this condition. Do not feel you have to stay at home as your condition is not contagious. Explain to people at work or school the situation so there are not any unnecessary social pressures or moments of awkwardness.
Learn more about Adult Eczema as well as other common skin problems including Scabies Pictures .
Related Atopic Dermatitis Articles
Managing Eczema and Allergies at Christmas.
Most of us are absolutely used to the everyday differences that eczema or allergies can bring to family life. But it’s very tricky at Christmas time to manage it all, for lots of reasons. We might be away from our own home, and creature comforts. There may be new environmental hazards that we can’t control. We don’t have every treatment or potion right at hand.
We have also had to manage parties and events where children (and adults) are affected by other allergies than those that we are familiar with. So, I thought it would be useful to put together a Christmas checklist of all the things we should check before hosting a family Christmas. Useful for visitors and hosts alike I hope.
Get Togethers
- If there are severe food allergies, it’s worth warning everyone in advance – for instance a short note to everyone explaining the allergy and its severity along with any absolute MUSTS, such as please don’t eat peanuts before our event
- If you are hosting someone with food allergies, find out what is and what’s not okay – people are usually very happy to bring their own food if there’s something that wont suit them, but hang back from doing so as it can be embarrassing.
- It may be that although someone can’t eat something, it’s okay for them to be in a room with it. But this needs checking as it will depend on the severity of the allergy.
- Is there a pet allergy? Will family/friends mind shutting the pet in a separate part of the house for the duration of the visit?
Gifts
I appreciate that this is a hard one, as no-one wants to appear grabby, but I know that our family not only want to give gifts to the girls, they want them to be good ones that they will enjoy, so they do appreciate a little guidance.
- Avoid anything but natural fibres if you are buying clothes or textiles for people affected by eczema or skin allergies.
- Don’t buy perfumes, soaps, cosmetics, bubble baths, face paints or lip-balms for people with eczema.
- Clays and crafts can also be allergens – these are probably worth just checking with the parent.
- Foods, especially high sugar or very processed food are often not good for children with eczema and very difficult for a parent to take away.
- Avoid selection boxes, chocolate boxes or chocolate ornaments for people with food allergies – any sniff of a nut in there for someone with a nut allergy, and their Christmas is all over.
Decorations
We all love to make our house ‘Christmassy’ but this can be a minefield for someone with severe allergies. Be careful with:
- Natural table decorations which may include nuts seeds and other allergens. I know some us are even allergic to pine…
- Check before using plug in perfumes or diffusers
- Check before using any sprayable decoration, such as window ‘snow’.
Just in case
- Make sure your medical kit is well stocked and includes an antihistamine
- Double check that you’ve packed 2 epipens.
Managing Eczema and Allergies at Christmas.
Most of us are absolutely used to the everyday differences that eczema or allergies can bring to family life. But it’s very tricky at Christmas time to manage it all, for lots of reasons. We might be away from our own home, and creature comforts. There may be new environmental hazards that we can’t control. We don’t have every treatment or potion right at hand.
We have also had to manage parties and events where children (and adults) are affected by other allergies than those that we are familiar with. So, I thought it would be useful to put together a Christmas checklist of all the things we should check before hosting a family Christmas. Useful for visitors and hosts alike I hope.
Get Togethers
- If there are severe food allergies, it’s worth warning everyone in advance – for instance a short note to everyone explaining the allergy and its severity along with any absolute MUSTS, such as please don’t eat peanuts before our event
- If you are hosting someone with food allergies, find out what is and what’s not okay – people are usually very happy to bring their own food if there’s something that wont suit them, but hang back from doing so as it can be embarrassing.
- It may be that although someone can’t eat something, it’s okay for them to be in a room with it. But this needs checking as it will depend on the severity of the allergy.
- Is there a pet allergy? Will family/friends mind shutting the pet in a separate part of the house for the duration of the visit?
Gifts
I appreciate that this is a hard one, as no-one wants to appear grabby, but I know that our family not only want to give gifts to the girls, they want them to be good ones that they will enjoy, so they do appreciate a little guidance.
- Avoid anything but natural fibres if you are buying clothes or textiles for people affected by eczema or skin allergies.
- Don’t buy perfumes, soaps, cosmetics, bubble baths, face paints or lip-balms for people with eczema.
- Clays and crafts can also be allergens – these are probably worth just checking with the parent.
- Foods, especially high sugar or very processed food are often not good for children with eczema and very difficult for a parent to take away.
- Avoid selection boxes, chocolate boxes or chocolate ornaments for people with food allergies – any sniff of a nut in there for someone with a nut allergy, and their Christmas is all over.
Decorations
We all love to make our house ‘Christmassy’ but this can be a minefield for someone with severe allergies. Be careful with:
- Natural table decorations which may include nuts seeds and other allergens. I know some us are even allergic to pine…
- Check before using plug in perfumes or diffusers
- Check before using any sprayable decoration, such as window ‘snow’.
Just in case
- Make sure your medical kit is well stocked and includes an antihistamine
- Double check that you’ve packed 2 epipens.