Dyshidrotic
Dyshidrotic
What Is Dyshidrotic Eczema?
Dyshidrotic eczema
is a sudden rash of small, itchy blisters on your palms and along the sides of
your fingers. This skin condition can also make blisters pop up on the soles of
your feet or on your toes.
Your doctor might
call it by another name, including dyshidrosis, foot-and-hand eczema,
pompholyx, vesicular eczema, or palmoplantar eczema.
There’s no cure,
so these blisters will come and go over time. But you can manage them with
medicine, moisturizers, and good hygiene. They might start to taper off once
you get into middle age. And if you have a mild case, it could go away on its
own.
What is dyshidrotic
eczema?
Dyshidrotic eczema causes small, intensely itchy blisters on
the palms of hands, soles of feet and edges of the fingers and toes. While the
actual cause of dyshidrotic eczema isn’t known, it is more common in people who
have another form of eczema and tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic
component.
Who gets dyshidrotic
eczema and why?
This common form of
eczema, also called pompholyx (which means “bubble” in ancient Greek),
foot-and-hand eczema, palmoplantar eczema and vesicular eczema, is found more
frequently in women than in men.
Dyshidrotic eczema is
most common in younger adults, typically between the ages of 20 and 40. People
can have a single flare-up of dyshidrotic eczema, but it’s more common for it
to come and go over long periods of time.
Metals, particularly nickel, are a common trigger. Stress
can also cause a flare. The condition is also linked to seasonal allergies like
hay fever, and to hot, humid weather. Sweaty palms can trigger the rash, as can
doing a job such as hairstyling or healthcare that entails frequently getting
the hands wet.
Dyshidrotic Eczema Symptoms
The small, itchy
blisters are the most noticeable sign of dyshidrotic eczema. These usually pop
up in clusters. You may also have:
·
Itching or a burning pain before blisters appear
·
Blisters on the edges of your fingers, toes, palms, and
soles of your feet
·
Red, cracked skin
·
Sweaty skin around the blisters
·
Nails that thicken and change colors
The blisters often
go away in 2 to 3 weeks. But the skin underneath can be red and tender for a
while.
Dyshidrotic eczema
can be mild or severe. If you have a severe case that affects your feet, the
blisters can make it hard to walk. Blisters on your hands can make it hard to
do things like cook, type, or wash dishes.
Sometimes, the
blisters can get infected, especially if you scratch them a lot. Signs that you
have an infection include:
·
Pain
·
Swelling
·
Crusting
·
Pus in the blisters
What are the symptoms of
dyshidrotic eczema?
Flares happen only on the hands and feet and usually begin with a rash of painful, deep-seated
blisters called vesicles, although sometimes itching and burning sensations
begin first. As blisters heal, the skin dries and often reddens and peels. This
leaves it tender and dry and sometimes creates painful fissures or cracks. Skin
can also become infected.
Dyshidrotic Eczema Causes
Doctors aren’t
sure what causes dyshidrotic eczema. It mostly affects adults ages 20 to 40,
and it's twice as common in women as in men. You're more likely to get it if
you have allergies like hay fever, a family history of dyshidrotic eczema, or
other forms of eczema.
Several things can
set off dyshidrotic eczema, including:
·
Stress
·
Contact with metals like nickel, cobalt, or chromium salts
on your job, or from things like costume jewelry
·
Sweaty or wet hands and feet
·
Warm, humid weather
·
HIV infection
·
Certain treatments for a weak immune system (immunoglobulin)
·
Seasonal allergies
About half of all
people with dyshidrotic eczema also have other types of eczema such as contact
and atopic dermatitis. This condition isn't contagious. You can't catch it from
touching someone who has it.
Dyshidrotic Eczema Diagnosis
No lab test can
confirm that you have dyshidrotic eczema, but if you notice blisters on
your hands and feet, see a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in your
skin). They’ll look at your hands and feet, as well as your nails. Your doctor
could also suggest tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms
like athlete’s foot.
You also might
need to see an allergy doctor (allergist). Patch tests can show if you have an
allergy to nickel or another metal. During these tests, your doctor will put
patches with a small amount of different metals or other things on your skin to
see whether you react to them.
Dyshidrotic Eczema Treatment
Your doctor can
prescribe an ointment or cream with a steroid in it to bring down swelling and
help get rid of the blisters. Your skin will take in the medicine better if you
put a wet compress on it after you use the cream. If you have a severe
flare-up, you might need to take a steroid drug, like prednisone, in a pill.
Continued
An antihistamine
like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or loratadine (Alavert,
Claritin) can help with the itch, too. Or you might hold a cold, wet compress
on the blisters for 15 minutes at a time several times a day.
If these
treatments don't work well for you, you might try one of these:
·
Light therapy. This uses ultraviolet (UV) light to
clear up your skin. You might get a medicine first to help your skin respond
better to the light.
·
Botulinum toxin. These shots stop your hands and feet
from sweating, which can trigger the blisters.
·
Medicines that slow your immune system. Tacrolimus (Protopic)
ointment or pimecrolimus (Elidel) cream
can calm the swelling and irritation. These drugs can be options if you don't
want to take steroids.
·
Draining the blisters. Your dermatologist can drain
fluid from the blisters. Don't try to do this yourself. You could make the
eczema worse.
To control the
blisters at home:
·
Wash your hands and feet every day. Use lukewarm water and a
mild, scent-free soap. Afterward, gently pat your skin dry.
·
Take your rings off before you wash your hands. Moisture can
get trapped under your rings and cause more blisters.
·
Wear gloves with cotton liners whenever your hands are in
water, like when you wash dishes.
·
Put a thick moisturizer on your hands and feet every time
you shower or wash. Rub it on while your skin is still wet to seal in water.
You also might use a cream that has dimethicone to protect
your skin.
·
Turn on a humidifier in dry weather to keep your skin from
cracking.
·
If allergies set off your eczema, try to stay away from
things that trigger them.
·
Don't scratch the blisters. You'll make them worse.
If you're
sensitive to nickel or cobalt, your dermatologist might tell you not to eat
foods that are high in these metals. Nickel is in foods like chocolate,
broccoli, legumes, and nuts. Cobalt is in shellfish, liver, nuts, beets,
cabbage, and chocolate.
WebMD
Medical Reference
How is dyshidrotic eczema
treated?
Knowing your triggers and
maintaining a regular skincare routine can help prevent and manage dyshidrotic
eczema flares. Helpful steps can include:
- Wash the
affected skin with a mild cleanser and gently pat dry.
- Apply a heavy
cream with ingredients like ceramides to help repair the skin barrier.
- Remove rings and
other jewelry when you wash your hands so water doesn’t linger on you
skin.
- Wash then
moisturize hands or feet immediately after coming into contact with a
potential trigger.
- Use stress
management techniques.
- Keep fingernails
short to help prevent scratching from breaking the skin.
Dermatologists can
usually diagnose dyshidrotic eczema with a skin exam and medical history. Many
cases improve quickly with a short course of topical corticosteroids combined
with soaking or applying cool compresses to affected areas a few times a day to
help dry out blisters. Because this form of eczema is sometimes linked to a
fungal infection on the hands or feet, your dermatologist may prescribe an
anti-fungal medication if needed.
Areas of dyshidrotic
eczema are also at risk for bacterial skin infections, which can delay or
prevent healing. If you develop swelling, crusting, pain or pus-filled
blisters, visit your dermatologist to check for bacterial infection, which
requires treatment with oral antibiotics.
When dyshidrotic eczema
is severe or flares happen often, dermatologists may prescribe light therapy,
topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs) or oral steroids. Occasionally, botulinum
toxin injections are used to control the sweaty hands and feet that can trigger
the condition.
What do the ecz-perts have to say?
According to Dr. Jeff Yu, a dermatologist specializing in
allergic contact dermatitis and occupational dermatitis in adults and children
at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, “The more people are exposed to an
allergen the more likely they are to develop contact dermatitis in response to
that allergen. For example, people with body piercings have a higher likelihood
of developing contact dermatitis in response to nickel compared with people who
do not have them.”
Patients often think food is a trigger for allergic contact
dermatitis, but Yu said what we eat is rarely the culprit. “In reality, the
cause is almost always contact with something in your topical products, whether
this is shampoo, make-up remover, perfume, essential oil diffusers, paints,
glues or a topical antibiotic.”
Atopic Dermatitis
What is atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common type of eczema,
affecting more than 9.6 million children and about 16.5 million adults in the
United States. It’s a chronic condition that can come and go for years or
throughout life, and can overlap with other types of eczema.
In people with AD, for complex reasons science hasn’t fully
sorted out, the immune system becomes disordered and overactive. This triggers
inflammation that damages the skin barrier, leaving it dry and prone to itching
and rashes that may appear purple, brown or grayish hue in darker skin tones
and red in lighter skin tones.
Research shows that some people with eczema, especially
atopic dermatitis, have a mutation of the gene responsible for creating
filaggrin. Filaggrin is a protein that helps our bodies maintain a healthy,
protective barrier on the very top layer of the skin. Without enough filaggrin
to build a strong skin barrier, moisture can escape and bacteria, viruses and
more can enter. This is why many people with AD have very dry and
infection-prone skin.
Who gets AD and why?
Atopic dermatitis typically begins in childhood, usually in
the first six months of a baby’s life. Even though it’s a common form of
eczema, it’s also severe and long-lasting. When you or your child have atopic
dermatitis, it may improve at times; but at other times, it may get worse. In
some children, symptoms may taper off as they grow up, while other children will
have atopic dermatitis flares into adulthood.
Atopic dermatitis exists with two other allergic conditions:
asthma and hay fever (allergic rhinitis). People who have asthma and/or hay
fever or who have family members who do, are more likely to develop AD.
What are the symptoms of AD?
Itching is the hallmark of AD, with some data showing that
more than 85% of people with the condition experience this distressing symptom
every day. Sore or painful skin and poor sleep caused by itching are also
common.
People with AD can get rashes anywhere on the body that can
ooze, weep fluid and bleed when scratched, making skin vulnerable to infection.
Skin can become dry and discolored, and repeated scratching can cause
thickening and hardening — a process called lichenification.
How is AD treated?
When AD is mild, management may include:
- avoiding
known triggers
- maintaining
a regular bathing and moisturizing routine to protect and strengthen the
skin barrier
- getting
high-quality sleep
- eating
a healthy diet
- managing
stress
If these methods are not enough, other treatments include:
- topical
corticosteroids
- non-steroidal
topicals
- biologics
Read more about eczema
treatments.
What do the ecz-perts have to say?
With atopic dermatitis, there is often “a vicious cycle of
itching, scratching and more itching that further inflames the immune system
and further damages the skin barrier,” said Dr. Peter Lio, clinical assistant
professor of dermatology and pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg
School of Medicine.
“AD is not just a ‘skin rash,’” Lio said. “It can have a
huge impact on quality of life — not just that of the patient, but on family
and friends too. The itch can make it difficult to concentrate, poor sleep can
make people feel like zombies during the day, and treatments and precautions
can take a toll on time, energy and money.”
“While there is no cure — yet — and AD can be difficult to
treat, our understanding of it continues to improve and there is great hope and
some amazing new treatments and approaches,” Lio said.
TREATMENTS
FOR ATOPIC DERMATITIS
HOW
TO TREAT ECZEMA IN BABIES
Atopic dermatitis (also
known as eczema) is a common skin condition in babies. It affects up to 25% of
children, and an estimated 60% of people with eczema develop it during their
first year of life. While there is no cure, most cases can be controlled with a
customized skin care plan, which may include moisturizers, prescription
medications, and strategies to eliminate triggers.
To help manage your
baby’s symptoms and decrease flare-ups, follow these tips from board-certified dermatologists.
Atopic dermatitis (also
known as eczema) is a common skin condition in babies. It affects up to 25% of
children, and an estimated 60% of people with eczema develop it during their
first year of life. While there is no cure, most cases can be controlled with a
customized skin care plan, which may include moisturizers, prescription
medications, and strategies to eliminate triggers.
To help manage your
baby’s symptoms and reduce flare-ups, dermatologists recommend the following
tips:
1.
Master your bathing
technique. Bathing helps to
eliminate dirt and other potential irritants from your baby’s skin. When bathing your baby, use lukewarm water, and
only wash your baby’s dirty or smelly parts using a mild, fragrance-free
cleanser. Avoid scrubbing your baby’s skin, and limit your baby’s bath to five
to 10 minutes. Immediately after the bath, apply a fragrance-free moisturizer,
keeping in mind that thick creams and ointments are generally more effective
than lotions or oils. Moisturize your baby’s skin twice a day or as often as
necessary to achieve relief.
2.
Consider topical
corticosteroids. Commonly used to
treat eczema, these medications help reduce inflammation and symptoms, such as
itching. Topical corticosteroids come in many forms, including ointments,
creams, sprays and lotions. Work with your dermatologist to identify the best
corticosteroid for your baby, and apply it immediately after your baby’s bath
before applying moisturizer. Since babies are more sensitive to corticosteroids
than adults, follow your dermatologist’s directions for the amount, duration
and frequency of the treatment to avoid side effects.
3.
Identify and eliminate
triggers. Everyday culprits
can cause your baby’s eczema to suddenly appear or worsen. Common triggers include bodily
triggers, such as sweat, saliva and scratching; environmental triggers, such as
tobacco smoke, dry air, pet dander, or pollen; or product triggers, such as
clothing, laundry detergent, fabric softeners, shampoos or soaps (particularly
ones containing fragrance) or baby powder or wipes. If you can identify your
baby’s triggers, try to find ways to eliminate or avoid them. For example, if
you notice that your baby’s saliva is triggering eczema on the face, apply
plain petroleum jelly around your baby’s mouth before feedings and naps.
4.
Consider bleach bath
therapy. Bleach bath therapy is
rarely used for babies; however, if your baby’s eczema is difficult to control,
it may be recommended by your dermatologist. Dilute bleach baths can help ease
your baby’s symptoms by reducing bacteria and inflammation on the skin. To
ensure your baby’s safety and avoid irritating your baby’s already sensitive
skin, follow your dermatologist’s instructions for bleach bath therapy carefully.
It’s important to begin
treating your child’s eczema as soon as you notice it, which can prevent the
condition from worsening, making it more difficult to treat.
Children with eczema are
more prone to skin infections, as eczema makes it easier for bacteria, viruses
and other germs to get inside the body.
If you notice an
infection on your baby’s skin, such as pus-filled blisters, sores, or
yellowish-orange crusts on the skin, or if you have questions about how to care
for your baby’s eczema, make an appointment to see a board-certified
dermatologist.
You cannot cure eczema by ONLY removing what triggers your
child’s eczema. To control eczema, you need to bathe and moisturize, treat
flares, and avoid triggers.
Learn more by matching
the possible trigger on the chart below and see what you can do to help treat
flares and avoid triggers on your child's body.
|
Possible trigger |
Could be a trigger
if... What do Allergy
Specialists recommend |
What you can do |
|
Bacteria in nose |
This can be difficult to recognize. |
Ask your child's dermatologist if this could be a trigger for your
child. If so, treatment can reduce bacteria. |
|
Clothes |
|
|
|
Dry skin |
|
|
|
Food on skin |
You see redness and swelling where food touches your child's skin. |
|
|
Food your child eats |
Your child's eczema flares (immediately or later) after eating certain
food. |
|
|
Saliva |
You see redness and swelling where
saliva touches your child's skin. |
|
|
Scratching |
Your child scratches until the skin bleeds, or you see your child
rubbing up against the crib or other object to rub the skin. |
|
|
Sweat |
You see sweat on your child's body or your child seems overheated.
Sweat and overheating are common eczema triggers. |
|
HOW CAN I FIND ECZEMA
FRIENDLY PRODUCTS?
Kids with eczema have
very sensitive skin. Many products that touch their skin can trigger eczema.
To complicate matters, it
can take time for your child’s skin to react. For example, an ingredient in
your child’s shampoo could trigger an eczema flare. The flare could occur a few
hours or days after using the shampoo.
SELECT
FRAGRANCE-FREE
Choose fragrance-free rather than
unscented products to help prevent eczema outbreaks in your child.
3 things you can do to find eczema friendly products
Here are 3 techniques
that can help you find products for your child:
1.
Ask your child’s
dermatologist for product recommendations.
2. Look for products containing the NEA Seal of Acceptance™.
On the National Eczema Association’s website, you’ll find
products that have earned this seal. Products include moisturizers, shampoo,
cleansers, laundry detergent, sleepwear, and hydrocortisone creams.
3.
Choose fragrance-free
rather than unscented products. Fragrance-free and unscented have different
meanings. Unscented means that a fragrance is masked, so you cannot smell it.
Fragrance-free means the products is free of all fragrances, even ones that you
cannot smell.
How to avoid common product triggers
Use the following
dermatologists’ recommendations to help your child avoid common product
triggers.
|
Possible trigger |
What do Allergy
Specialists recommend |
|
Baby powder |
Best to avoid. Baby powder dries the skin. People who have eczema
already have very dry skin. |
|
Baby wipes |
|
|
Bubble bath |
Best to avoid. |
|
Clothes |
|
|
Dyes |
Talk with your child's dermatologist if you suspect that your child is
sensitive to a dye found in food, clothing, or
any other product. Testing can find allergens (what a person is allergic to),
so you know what to avoid. |
|
Laundry products: Detergent |
Use only detergent that is fragrance-free and dye-free |
|
Moisturizer |
|
|
Preservatives |
Talk with your child's dermatologist if you suspect that your child is
sensitive to preservatives in skin care products. Testing can find what
triggers your child's allergies, so you know what to avoid. |
|
Shampoo |
Select a gentle shampoo that is fragrance-free. |
|
Towels, sheets, and other bedding |
|
|
Soap |
|
|
Stuffed animals and other soft toys |
|
|
Sunscreen |
|
·
When looking for an eczema friendly moisturizer,
dermatologists recommend choosing one that has these qualities.
STRESS: IS IT A COMMON ECZEMA
TRIGGER?
As children transition
into their tween or teen years, stress often becomes a common eczema trigger.
Research shows that managing stress effectively can reduce eczema flares.
MANAGE
STRESS
Stress is a common eczema trigger, so it’s important to
teach your child how to manage stress.
Here are some ways you
can help your tween or teen better cope with stress.
- Encourage your child to connect with others kids who
have eczema. Having eczema can be stressful for a
kid. Some kids find it distressing to have eczema because of the discomfort it causes
and the way it can make their skin look. Kids who have eczema may
be bullied because their skin looks different.
When kids connect with others who face similar
circumstances, they often feel less stress. One way kids can connect is by
attending the American Academy of Dermatology’s (Academy) Camp Discovery. Many
kids look forward to spending a week at camp all year long.
- Academy’s
summer camp for kids 8 -16 who have long-term skin disease.
- Free
to attend.
- Campers
spend the week under care of dermatologists and nurses.
If your child feels better with support throughout the year,
the National Eczema Association offers support groups across the United States.
Telephone support is also available for people living with eczema.
National Eczema
Association (NEA) Support Network: Support groups can help
parents and kids learn effective ways to cope. This can boost self-esteem.
Joining a support group can also reduce feelings of isolation. The NEA also
offers an annual NEA Patient Conference, which include an NEA Kids Camp.
- Help your tween or teen with a stressful
situation. Learning how to manage stress effectively can help a
child feel less stress. And less stress can mean fewer eczema flares.
If you're uncertain how to deal with stress, these sources
can help you get started:
- Be a role model for healthy habits. Studies show
that people manage stress more effectively when they take good care of
their health.
Studies also show that parents’ everyday behavior plays a
big part in shaping the child’s behavior. If you want your child to eat
healthy, prepare and eat well-balanced meals. If you want your child to watch
less TV, you need to spend less time in front of the TV.
- Check in with your tween or teen to find out if your
child is following the dermatologist’s eczema treatment plan. This plan helps
to hydrate the skin, reduce irritation, and repair the skin’s barrier.
When skin is in better shape, it’s less likely to flare.
This is why it’s important for your child to:
- Moisturize
as often as recommended.
- Use
eczema medicine as recommended.
- Avoid
known triggers and be aware that new triggers may develop as childhood
triggers fade.
- Make sure your child sees a doctor who is an eczema
specialist. Studies show that children with eczema have fewer
signs and symptoms when they receive care from a doctor who has lots of
training and experience with eczema.
This often leads children to feel less stressed.
Dermatologists and pediatric dermatologists have in-depth knowledge of eczema.
Learn tips to reduce your
atopic dermatitis symptoms.
Is atopic dermatitis
sidelining your ability to play sports? These tips from adults who have AD can
help you regain your active lifestyle.
10 lifestyle changes that can relieve symptoms
While it can seem that
nothing will relieve the discomfort, you can ease symptoms of atopic dermatitis
(AD). Here are some easy-to-make changes that dermatologists recommend:
1.
Moisturize after bathing
and when your skin feels dry. Keeping
your skin hydrated helps form a barrier between you and the world. To avoid
irritating your skin, use a fragrance-free cream or ointment instead of a
lotion.
2.
Choose fragrance-free
skin care products. Fragrance can cause
an AD flare-up. To avoid this, only use products labeled “fragrance free.” You
may see the word “unscented” on a product label. Avoid these, too. Unscented
means that the fragrance has been masked. Although you won’t smell the
fragrance in an unscented product, a masked fragrance can still trigger a
flare-up.
3.
Test all skin care
products before using them. While fragrance often
causes AD to flare, other ingredients in skin care products can also cause a
flare-up. To test a product, apply a small amount to skin without AD. Leave it
on your skin for 24 hours. If your skin remains clear after 24 hours, it’s less
likely to cause a flare-up.
4.
Bathe daily, taking a 5-
to 10-minute bath or shower in lukewarm (never hot) water. A short bath or shower helps hydrate the skin. When you
apply your moisturizer within 5 minutes of bathing, this helps to lock in the
moisture.
5.
Learn what causes AD to
flare and figure out how to avoid those triggers. Skin with AD is very sensitive, so many everyday
things can cause a flare-up. Finding what triggers your (or your child’s)
flare-ups and avoiding them can help reduce flare-ups. You can learn how to
find triggers by going to the following page. NOTE: Although the following
information is geared to helping parents find childhood triggers, anyone can
use these dermatologists’ recommendations to help find their triggers. Eczema
triggers
6.
Wear loose-fitting 100%
cotton clothing. Cotton is less irritating
and let’s your skin breathe. To avoid flare-ups, avoid wearing tight clothing,
and never wear wool next to your skin.
Using 100% cotton towels
and sheets can also help reduce flare-ups.
7.
Wash clothing in
detergent that is fragrance free and dye free. The fragrance and dye can trigger a flare-up.
8.
Do this before wearing
new clothing. You can avoid flare-ups
from the tags, seams, and finishers in new clothing by:
- Washing new clothing before you (or
your child) wears it.
- Be sure to use a fragrance-free,
dye-free detergent.
- Buying clothing without tags or
removing the tags.
- Covering seams that irritate your skin
with silk
9.
Protect your skin from
extreme temperatures. Cold temperatures can dry
your skin, which can make AD flare. When you get overheated and sweat, the
sweat can also trigger a flare-up.
10.
Partner with a
board-certified dermatologist, who can create a treatment plan that works for
you. With eczema-friendly skin
care, trigger management, and medication or light therapy as needed, most
people can control AD. Dermatologists have experience creating these tailored
treatment plans.
When you
have eczema or atopic dermatitis, it's key to use
a moisturizer. Dry skin can often
make eczema worse.
Moisturizers lock
in water and create a
barrier against things that can irritate your skin. You can choose
from plenty of products, but they're not the same. You should also know when
and how to apply them.
Lotions, Creams, and Ointments
There are three
types of moisturizers: lotions, creams, and ointments. They’re classified by
the amount of oil and water in them. The
more oil they contain, the better they are for eczema.
Ointments have the most oil.
They’re usually the best choice to treat eczema. They won't burn when you apply
them to your skin. They help it hold on to moisture.
Some people like
to use them overnight. This gives your skin time to absorb them fully.
Petroleum jelly and mineral oil are
examples.
Creams are a good choice
if you don't like the greasy feel of an ointment. They have the second highest
amount of oil. They can also seal in moisture.
Continued
Be sure to read
labels carefully. Creams often contain additives that can irritate your skin or
cause allergic reactions in some people.
Lotions are mostly
made of water and have the lowest amount of oil. They don't usually work well
for people with eczema. They evaporate quickly and may have ingredients that
bother your skin.
How to Use a Moisturizer
It’ll work best if
you apply it after a bath or shower. Use lukewarm -- not hot -- water. Bathe
for just about 10 minutes.
Pat your skin dry.
Leave it slightly damp. That way you don’t remove all the moisture you got from
bathing.
Apply moisturizer
within 3 minutes after you get out of the water. Wait longer and your skin will
start to dry out.
Soften the
moisturizer by rubbing it between your hands. Use your palms to smear a thick
layer all over your skin. Apply it gently in simple downward strokes. Try not
to rub it in circles or up and down.
Continued
It may feel sticky
at first, but that's OK. Don't try to take off the extra. Your skin will absorb
it.
Each time
your wash your hands or get them
wet, moisturize them, too. Keep moisturizer by each sink in the house so you
don't forget.
If you use a
prescription skin medicine, put it on before you moisturize.
Treatment can relieve
your symptoms and help you live more comfortably if you are diagnosed with
atopic dermatitis.
Dermatologists recommend
moisturizer for everyone who has atopic dermatitis. Keeping your skin well
moisturized helps to prevent cracks and fissures in your skin.
How do dermatologists diagnose atopic dermatitis?
To diagnose atopic
dermatitis (AD), a board-certified dermatologist carefully examines your (your
child’s) skin and asks questions.
To help ensure that your
dermatologist has accurate information, it’s helpful to answer these questions
before your appointment:
·
Do any of your blood
relatives have AD, asthma, or hay fever?
·
What are your symptoms?
·
When did the symptoms
begin?
·
Where do the rashes appear
on the skin?
Providing your
dermatologist with this information can be very helpful. AD tends to wax and
wane, so you may have clear skin when you see your dermatologist.
A skin exam along with
information about your health and symptoms may be all that are needed to
diagnose AD. Some people also need a skin biopsy.
Your dermatologist can
quickly and easily perform a skin biopsy during your appointment. To do this,
your dermatologist will numb and remove a tiny amount of skin. When looked at
under a microscope, this can provide valuable information.
Having a skin biopsy can
also help your dermatologist select the best treatment.
How do dermatologists treat AD?
This condition cannot be
cured, but proper treatment can control it. A treatment plan created by a
board-certified dermatologist can help:
·
Reduce flare-ups
·
Ease symptoms, such as
itch and pain
·
Prevent AD from worsening
·
Decrease your risk of
developing thickened skin, which tends to itch all the time
·
Keep your skin moist
·
Lower your risk of
infection
While a dermatologist
tailors each AD treatment plan to a patient’s individual needs, most treatment
plans include the following:
Skin
care: A skin care plan for AD involves:
·
Bathing
·
Applying moisturizer
·
Being gentle with your
skin
Your dermatologist will
explain how to use baths and moisturizer to help heal your skin.
Trigger
management: AD can make the skin
very sensitive and very reactive. Things that you come into contact with every
day can cause AD flare-ups. Anything that causes AD to flare is known as a
trigger.
Everyone has unique
eczema triggers, so it’s important to find your triggers and figure out how to
avoid them. Common triggers include skin care products, weather (cold or hot),
wool clothing, stress, and laundry detergents that contain fragrance.
Your dermatologist can
help you figure out what triggers your AD. To learn more about eczema triggers,
go to: Eczema triggers
Medication
applied to the skin: Your treatment plan may
include medication that you apply to your skin, light treatments, medication
that works throughout the body, or some combination of these.
Most people can control
AD with medication that they apply to their skin. When this is part of your
treatment plan, you may apply one or more of the following:
·
Pimecrolimus cream or tacrolimus ointment
·
Coal tar
Applying medication to
your skin as directed can improve your skin’s ability to keep out germs and
everyday substances that can irritate it. This means fewer flare-ups. The
medication should also improve your skin’s ability to lock in moisture, so
you’ll have fewer cracks and fissures.
Research breakthroughs are giving patients with AD new ways
to treat this condition.
For most people, gentle
skin care, trigger management, and medication that you apply to your skin can
control AD.
If you have an infection
on your skin, your dermatologist will also treat this. To treat an infection,
you may need to apply a medication to your skin or take medication.
Some people need stronger
treatment for their AD. For these patients, a dermatologist may prescribe
phototherapy or a medication that works throughout the body.
Phototherapy: This is another word for light treatments that can safely
and effectively treat AD, even in children. Phototherapy works by exposing your
skin to ultraviolet (UV) light. It’s given at a dermatologist’s office,
hospital, or phototherapy treatment center.
For phototherapy to be
effective, you will need 2 to 3 treatments per week for the amount of time
prescribed by your dermatologist. For most people, this means going to the
treatment center 2 to 3 times per week for a few weeks to a few months.
If you find it difficult
to keep your appointments for phototherapy, tell your dermatologist. Don’t try
to use tanning beds instead of phototherapy. Phototherapy differs from tanning
beds, which pose risks to your health.
Using a tanning bed to
treat AD increases your risk of developing skin cancer dramatically. If you use
tanning beds before age 35, you can increase your risk of melanoma, the
deadliest form of skin cancer, by 59%.
Medication that works
throughout your body: This may be prescribed to treat widespread AD. Also
called “systemic treatment,” this medication works on the immune system and can
bring tremendous relief.
To learn more about this
type of treatment, go to: When your child needs strong medicine to control eczema
What is the outcome for someone who has AD?
By partnering with a
board-certified dermatologist, you can control AD. With control, it’s possible
to relieve the extremely dry skin, alleviate the itch, and reduce flare-ups
that lead to rashes.
Sometimes, it takes
trying a few different medications or light treatments to find the one that
works best for you.
To get the best possible
results from treatment, dermatologists also recommend making some lifestyle
changes. You’ll find the changes that dermatologists recommend at: Atopic dermatitis: Self-care
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