Health Tips

Eczema refers to the inflamed skin conditions. It is often characterized by dry, red itchy patches on the skin. Eczema can surface on almost any part of the body.

Atopic eczema is the most common form of this condition. It is not a contagious disease, like many other diseases. Though there isn’t a cure yet found for eczema, this condition can be managed by treatment and avoidance of triggers.

Some of the reasons which can trigger eczema are:

• Stress
• Dust mites
• Fresh fruit juices
• Animal saliva
• Rough or coarse materials
• Danders
• Detergents
• Soaps
• Disinfectants

For an effective eczema treatment, correct analysis is mandatory. Treatment depends upon various factors including severity of eczema, age, health, previous medical history amongst others. The basic goal of treatment is to reduce the discomfort and symptoms of eczema. The treatment may also necessitate modification in life style pattern.

The primary measure taken to treat eczema is to prevent scratching, as eczema is dry and itchy. Constant scratching tends to give the skin a leathery texture as the skin thickens (lichenification). It is generally recommended to keep the skin moisturized with creams and lotions. This approach is most effective when applied after bathing. Cold compresses can also be beneficial.

Skin affected by eczema is prone to infection. In such a scenario, seek immediate medical attention. For severe itching, sedatives antihistamines are used. Tar treatment or phototherapies are other feasible treatments to treat eczema.

Topical medications too, are being used to treat eczema. These medications work on the principle of modulating the immune response. Elidel and Protopic are two topical medications which can be accessed at the market.

Elidel is a FDA endorsed prescription medication to treat mild to moderate eczema, developed by Novartis. It works by targeting the site of eczema growth, and thereby inhibits the growth of cells responsible for eczema.

Protopic is a FDA endorsed prescription medication to treat moderate to severe eczema, developed by Astellas Pharma Inc (formerly Fujisawa Healthcare). It works by targeting the proliferation and activation of the T-cells, which trigger eczema.

Children are most prone to eczema. Eczema amongst children can be dealt by keeping the skin moisturized with creams and lotions. Consult your doctor if the condition persists for a prolonged time-frame.

This information should not be substituted for a doctor’s prescription.