Eczema treatments

With National Eczema Week taking place this month – from Friday 13^th to Thursday 19^th September 2024 to be exact! – we thought we’d shine the spotlight on a condition that blights so many around the world.

Eczema (or atopic dermatitis as it is officially known) is an inflammatory skin condition that causes discomfort and even pain for countless individuals. Flare-ups are long-lasting and symptoms lifelong for most sufferers, with itchy and dry skin, rashes, scaly patches and blisters common. People with eczema are also more prone to developing skin infections.

While eczema can’t be cured, its symptoms can be managed. Here are the eczema treatments to explore to ease this common condition and make life more comfortable.

Topical treatments

With eczema having a direct and hugely negative impact on your skin’s all-important barrier function, topical treatments are generally the first course of action of eczema sufferers.

From over-the-counter and prescribed emollient creams, ointments and lotions to higher strength corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, the possibilities for topical treatment are endless. Here at SKINSCAR Clinic, we help you find the right topical treatment so you can maintain your skin’s moisture barrier, ease eczema symptoms, and reduce troublesome inflammation and itching.

Oral medication

Working from the inside out, oral treatments like antihistamines and prescription medication can offer fantastic results. They can be used in conjunction with other treatment options to relieve itching, manage other eczema symptoms, and improve a sufferer’s quality of life dramatically.

Wet dressings

Applying wet dressings or bandages to the skin has also provided better outcomes for eczema sufferers, with this direct approach to soothing and hydrating the skin working wonders when called upon after the application of topical medications.

Also referred to as ‘wet wrap therapy’, wet dressings are particularly effective for improving symptoms during intense flare-ups. They rehydrate and calm the skin as well as help topical treatments work better. Wet dressings can also help to break the ‘itch-scratch cycle’ that can seriously impair an eczema sufferer’s quality of life and lead to further complications.

Trigger identification

In many sufferers, eczema flare-ups are often brought on by specific triggers. Whether it’s contact with certain fabrics, the application of harsh beauty products, or exposure to allergens that triggers your eczema symptoms, identifying and avoiding them can help you manage your condition for the long term.

Need further advice and support regarding the treatment of your eczema? Get in touch with us today to book your consultation.