What is Eczema?

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a condition that causes itchy inflammation of the skin. It most commonly develops in early childhood and is more common in those who have a family history of eczema. While this condition commonly appears on the arms and behind the knees, it can appear anywhere on the body. Eczema is a chronic condition and tends to flare repeatedly over time.

There are a wide variety of signs and symptoms associated with eczema, including:

  • Dry skin.
  • Itching, which may be severe.
  • Small, raised bumps that may leak fluid.
  • Thick, cracked, or scaly skin.
  • Red or brown patches of skin.
  • Raw, sensitive, swollen skin.

Eczema Treatment Options

While there is currently no cure for eczema, there are a number of treatments that can be used to relieve symptoms and prevent new outbreaks. These include:

Corticosteroid creams: These are often prescribed for mild eczema, and help to reduce the inflammation in the skin, reducing symptoms.

Calcineurin inhibitors: These treatments calm the immune system to reduce symptoms. 

Phototherapy: This involves exposing the affected area to controlled amounts of artificial or natural light and is available at alternative clinics and the hospital setting.  This therapy is not available at DermAtelier on Avenue, but is found at some hospitals and private offices. 

Oral upadacitinib (Rinvoq): This is a newer oral therapy (a pill that is swallowed) to help control eczema that is moderate or moderate-severe and does not improve by using creams or phototherapy. It requires some bloodwork and monitoring which is done by Dr. Beach and the nursing staff.

Injectable dupilumab (Dupixent): This injectable prescription treatment is most commonly used for stubborn or severe disease .It curbs the immune system over-reaction that causes eczema.

There are also lifestyle habits that patients can try to help manage their dermatitis. These may include:

Moisturizing the skin: Keeping the skin moisturized regularly can help with symptoms. Moisturizers with a high humectant content tend to work best. 

Wear cotton clothing: Smooth, cotton or silk clothing can help patients avoid irritating the skin. 

Avoid scratching: Scratching will only make symptoms worse. Cotton clothing or a cool water wrap to cover the itchy area can help resist scratching. 

Use OTC anti-inflammation products: Over-the-counter oral antihistamines may also help to reduce awareness of itch.

There is also the non-prescription based option to undergo light therapy such as phototherapy with NB UVB. 

Dr. Beach will work with you to determine the best treatment option for your lifestyle and your needs.

Who is a Good Candidate for Eczema Treatment?

Eczema can be persistent, flaring up repeatedly over an individual’s lifetime. If your eczema is causing you discomfort or pain and is negatively impacting your daily life, then you can benefit from eczema treatments. To best determine which treatment option is best for you, please contact our office today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Beach.

What to Expect After Eczema Treatment?

After consistent use of eczema treatment, patients should be able to see an improvement in their symptoms and the physical appearance of their outbreaks. Treatment may also extend the time between outbreaks, making everyday life more comfortable and enjoyable.

Contact Us Today

If you are interested in learning more about eczema treatments at DermAtelier on Avenue, please contact our office today! We will be happy to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Beach.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age does eczema go away?

Many childrens eczema goes away around puberty, but for some people it continues into adulthood.

Can eczema be a sign of cancer?

No, eczema is not associated with cancer of the body organs.

Can eczema be a sign of something else?

Eczema can be associated with skin sensitivity, skin dryness and pigmentation changes after eczema flares are done.

Can eczema be caused by hypothyroidism?

This is not a cause of eczema, but sometimes people with hypothyroidism can have dry skin.

Do I have eczema or psoriasis?

They have similar features and treatments. Both are itchy and can show up on various body sites. See a dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis you have.

Does eczema get worse as you age?

For some people it worsens especially if they use many products or commercial

Does eczema get worse in the winter?

It can get worse because the skin gets more dryness and has exposure to cold that results in more water loss from the skin. Fabrics worn (E.g. wool) can cause itch which triggers eczema.

Does eczema go away on its own?

For some people, they experience eczema not being a problem as they get into puberty.

How does eczema start?

Patients usually feel itchiness and then scratch the itch and over time this develops into small bumps or scaling patches that are eczema.

How long does eczema last?

It can occur in short episodes that overall last for years.

How long does it take for eczema flare up to clear?

It can clear up in about 2 weeks with sufficient treatment.

Is Eczema a fungus?

No, it is not a fungus or an infection

What can eczema be mistaken for?

Sometimes eczema is mistaken for psoriasis.

What can kill eczema?

Eczema is not killed, but it can be managed and minimized with treatment that decreases the inflammation in the skin.

What does eczema look like in adults?

Eczema can look like bumpy patches of skin or scaly patches of skin or thickened skin that has increased skin markings.

What does eczema look like?

Eczema can look like bumpy patches of skin or scaly patches of skin or thickened skin that has increased skin markings.

What is considered severe eczema?

Eczema that takes up more than 10% of the body surface, or eczema that does not improve with creams and ointments, or eczema that is causing symptoms that interfere with the ability to sleep and work, or eczema that gets infected.

What is the best cream for eczema?

There is no best cream of eczema but patients that use antinflammatory treatment that is generally in an ointment base have improvement.

What is the difference between eczema and dermatitis?

They are interchangeable terms in many instances.

What is the main cause of eczema?

There is no main cause, but causes include genetics or inheritance, problems with skin proteins, cosmetic products that irritate the skin, or fabrics that irritate the skin.

Whats the difference between rosacea and eczema?

Rosacea generally occurs on the face showing redness and acne like bumps and eczema can occur at any site of the body and can be bumpy or flaky or even thickened skin.

What vitamin is good for eczema?

Keeping B vitamins sufficient can help limit certain forms of dermatitis.

What types of infections can exacerbate eczema?

Infection of the skin layers that have eczema can exacerbate eczema (e.g. staphylococcus aureus infection)

What type of eczema do I have?

To determine your type of eczema, it is advised to see a dermatologist to get an assessment and diagnosis.

What soap is good for eczema?

Use of gentle cleansers known as syndet cleansers (synthetic detergents) are soapless cleansers that help hydrate the skin while cleansing it.

Can eczema be caused by stress?

For some people, stress impacts sleep, which in turn can make eczema worse.

Can eczema make you feel tired?

Yes, if your sleep is impacted, then the

Can Eczema turn into psoriasis?

No, but the 2 conditions can occur in the same person.

Can you suddenly get eczema?

Yes, you can get eczema or dermatitis suddenly if you are exposed to something in the environment that your skin reacts to, like poison ivy for example.

Does eczema spread by touch?

No, eczema does not spread by touch/ is not infectious.

Does hydrocortisone help eczema?

Yes, hydrocortisone in cream or ointment or lotion form can help eczema.

How does eczema look like?

Eczema can look like bumpy patches of skin or scaly patches of skin or thickened skin that has increased skin markings.

How does eczema spread?

It can spread on a person when nearby sites also become itchy and get scratched.

Is lemon water good for eczema?

This is not a treatment to help resolve eczema.

Is Vaseline good for eczema?

Vaseline can provide a cover for the skin that acts like a sealant and helps the skin form a barrier as it holds water in the skin.

Should eczema be exfoliated?

No, eczema should not be exfoliated because this can cause irritation or itch.

What are the 7 different types of eczema?

There are many types of eczema: atopic dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, localized dermatitis, erythroderma, palmoplantar dermatitis, dyshidrotic dermatitis, lichen simplex chronicus and others.

What foods help with eczema?

There are no specific foods that are known to help with eczema.

What foods to avoid if you have eczema?

There are no specific foods that are known to cause eczema, but sometimes patients notice that their skin flares up with consuming certain foods and they choose to avoid these.

What gets rid of eczema fast?

Use of treatment that decreases the inflammation in the skin helps to get rid of eczema fast. This treatment includes: corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors and sometimes systemic medication like prednisone, dupilumab, cyclosporine.

What is a good way to treat eczema?

Moisturizing the skin well, short (5 minute) showers using syndet cleansers, wearing cotton clothing, avoiding known skin irritants and skin allergens and using prescription medication all helps to treat eczema.

Where is eczema most common?

The most common body site for eczema in adults is usually the hands

Why is eczema so itchy?

Eczema is itchy because the skin is inflamed and has proteins that increase itch, like IL-4 and IL-13, are very active in the skin.

At what age does eczema go away?

Many childrens eczema goes away around puberty, but for some people it continues into adulthood.

Can eczema be a sign of cancer?

No, eczema is not associated with cancer of the body organs.

Can eczema be a sign of something else?

Eczema can be associated with skin sensitivity, skin dryness and pigmentation changes after eczema flares are done.

Can eczema be caused by hypothyroidism?

This is not a cause of eczema, but sometimes people with hypothyroidism can have dry skin.

Do I have eczema or psoriasis?

They have similar features and treatments. Both are itchy and can show up on various body sites. See a dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis you have.

Does eczema get worse as you age?

For some people it worsens especially if they use many products or commercial

Does eczema get worse in the winter?

It can get worse because the skin gets more dryness and has exposure to cold that results in more water loss from the skin. Fabrics worn (E.g. wool) can cause itch which triggers eczema.

Does eczema go away on its own?

For some people, they experience eczema not being a problem as they get into puberty.

How does eczema start?

Patients usually feel itchiness and then scratch the itch and over time this develops into small bumps or scaling patches that are eczema.

How long does eczema last?

It can occur in short episodes that overall last for years.

How long does it take for eczema flare up to clear?

It can clear up in about 2 weeks with sufficient treatment.

Is Eczema a fungus?

No, it is not a fungus or an infection

What can eczema be mistaken for?

Sometimes eczema is mistaken for psoriasis.

What can kill eczema?

Eczema is not killed, but it can be managed and minimized with treatment that decreases the inflammation in the skin.

What does eczema look like in adults?

Eczema can look like bumpy patches of skin or scaly patches of skin or thickened skin that has increased skin markings.

What does eczema look like?

Eczema can look like bumpy patches of skin or scaly patches of skin or thickened skin that has increased skin markings.

What is considered severe eczema?

Eczema that takes up more than 10% of the body surface, or eczema that does not improve with creams and ointments, or eczema that is causing symptoms that interfere with the ability to sleep and work, or eczema that gets infected.

What is the best cream for eczema?

There is no best cream of eczema but patients that use antinflammatory treatment that is generally in an ointment base have improvement.

What is the difference between eczema and dermatitis?

They are interchangeable terms in many instances.

What is the main cause of eczema?

There is no main cause, but causes include genetics or inheritance, problems with skin proteins, cosmetic products that irritate the skin, or fabrics that irritate the skin.

Whats the difference between rosacea and eczema?

Rosacea generally occurs on the face showing redness and acne like bumps and eczema can occur at any site of the body and can be bumpy or flaky or even thickened skin.

Where is eczema most common?

The most common body site for eczema in adults is usually the hands

Why is eczema so itchy?

Eczema is itchy because the skin is inflamed and has proteins that increase itch, like IL-4 and IL-13, are very active in the skin.

Can eczema be caused by stress?

For some people, stress impacts sleep, which in turn can make eczema worse.

Can eczema make you feel tired?

Yes, if your sleep is impacted, then the

Can Eczema turn into psoriasis?

No, but the 2 conditions can occur in the same person.

Can you suddenly get eczema?

Yes, you can get eczema or dermatitis suddenly if you are exposed to something in the environment that your skin reacts to, like poison ivy for example.

Does eczema spread by touch?

No, eczema does not spread by touch/ is not infectious.

Does hydrocortisone help eczema?

Yes, hydrocortisone in cream or ointment or lotion form can help eczema.

How does eczema look like?

Eczema can look like bumpy patches of skin or scaly patches of skin or thickened skin that has increased skin markings.

How does eczema spread?

It can spread on a person when nearby sites also become itchy and get scratched.

Is lemon water good for eczema?

This is not a treatment to help resolve eczema.

Is Vaseline good for eczema?

Vaseline can provide a cover for the skin that acts like a sealant and helps the skin form a barrier as it holds water in the skin.

Should eczema be exfoliated?

No, eczema should not be exfoliated because this can cause irritation or itch.

What are the 7 different types of eczema?

There are many types of eczema: atopic dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, localized dermatitis, erythroderma, palmoplantar dermatitis, dyshidrotic dermatitis, lichen simplex chronicus and others.

What foods help with eczema?

There are no specific foods that are known to help with eczema.

What foods to avoid if you have eczema?

There are no specific foods that are known to cause eczema, but sometimes patients notice that their skin flares up with consuming certain foods and they choose to avoid these.

What gets rid of eczema fast?

Use of treatment that decreases the inflammation in the skin helps to get rid of eczema fast. This treatment includes: corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors and sometimes systemic medication like prednisone, dupilumab, cyclosporine.

What is a good way to treat eczema?

Moisturizing the skin well, short (5 minute) showers using syndet cleansers, wearing cotton clothing, avoiding known skin irritants and skin allergens and using prescription medication all helps to treat eczema.

What soap is good for eczema?

Use of gentle cleansers known as syndet cleansers (synthetic detergents) are soapless cleansers that help hydrate the skin while cleansing it.

What type of eczema do I have?

To determine your type of eczema, it is advised to see a dermatologist to get an assessment and diagnosis.

What types of infections can exacerbate eczema?

Infection of the skin layers that have eczema can exacerbate eczema (e.g. staphylococcus aureus infection)

What vitamin is good for eczema?

Keeping B vitamins sufficient can help limit certain forms of dermatitis.

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