Eczema? Or dry winter skin?

People with eczema also may have asthma and certain allergies, such as hay fever. In some people with eczema, food allergies (such as allergies to cow's milk, soy, eggs, fish, or wheat) may bring on or worsen eczema. Allergies to animal dander, rough fabrics, and dust may also trigger the condition in some teens.

Can I Prevent Eczema?
Eczema can't be cured, but there are plenty of things you can do to prevent a flare. For facial eczema, wash gently with a nondrying facial cleanser or soap substitute, use a facial moisturizer that says noncomedogenic/oil-free, and apply only hypoallergenic makeup and sunscreens. In addition, the following tips may help:

* Avoid triggers and substances that stress skin. Besides your known triggers, some things you may want to avoid include household cleaners, detergents, lotions, and harsh soaps.

* H20 is a no-no. Too much exposure to water can dry out your skin, so take short warm, not hot, showers and baths and wear gloves if your hands will be in water for long periods of time.

* Say yes to cotton. Clothes made of scratchy fabric like wool can irritate your skin. Cotton clothes are a better bet.

* Moisturize! An unfragranced moisturizer such as petroleum jelly will prevent your skin from becoming irritated and cracked.

* Don't scratch that itch. Even though it's difficult to resist, scratching your itch can worsen eczema and make it more difficult for the skin to heal because you can break the skin and bacteria can get in, causing an infection.

* Keep it cool. Sudden changes in temperature, sweating, and becoming overheated may cause your eczema to kick into action.

* Take your meds. Follow your doctor's or dermatologist's directions and take your medication as directed.

* Chill out. Stress can aggravate eczema, so try to relax.

Causes and Risk Factors of Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
A person with eczema often has a history of allergic manifestations such as asthma or hay fever, or a family history of asthma, hay fever, or atopic dermatitis.

Eczema may be set off by extreme temperatures, stress, sweating, medication, clothing (especially wool or silk), grease, oils, soap and detergents, and environmental allergens.

Patients with eczema are also very susceptible to severe infections from certain viruses, for example, the herpes simplex virus that produces fever blisters and sores.

Treatment Return to top

Consult your health care provider for a diagnosis of eczema because it can be difficult to differentiate from other skin disorders. Treatment should be guided by the health care provider.

Treatment may vary depending on the appearance (stage) of the lesions -- acute "weeping" lesions, dry scaly lesions, or chronic dry, thickened lesions are each treated differently.

Anything that aggravates the symptoms should be avoided whenever possible, including any food allergens and irritants such as wool and lanolin.

Dry skin often makes the condition worse. When washing or bathing, keep water contact as brief as possible and use less soap than usual. After bathing, it is important to trap the moisture in the skin by applying lubricating cream on the skin while it is damp. Temperature changes and stress may cause sweating and aggravate the condition.

Treatment of weeping lesions may include soothing moisturizers, mild soaps, or wet dressings.

Mild anti-itch lotions or topical corticosteroids (low potency) may soothe less severe or healing areas, or dry scaly lesions.

Chronic thickened areas may be treated with ointments or creams that contain tar compounds, corticosteroids (medium to very high potency), and ingredients that lubricate or soften the skin. Systemic corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation in some severe cases.

The latest treatment for eczema is a class of skin medications called topical immunomodulators (TIMs). These medications are steroid-free. They include tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel). Studies have shown as high as an 80% success rate using these new medications.