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Adult Eczema
How do I know if I have eczema?
Eczema can occur on just about any part of the body. For older
children and adults, eczema typically occurs on the face, neck, and
the insides of the elbows, knees, and ankles. In some people, eczema
appears to "bubble up". In others, their skin may appear more scaly,
dry, and red. Constant scratching will cause the skin to take on a
leathery texture because the skin thickens.
It is not always easy to distinguish one type of eczema from another
or from similar skin conditions. Dermatologists have the medical
training and experience needed to determine if eczema is present -
and which type, if present. To diagnose eczema, dermatologists
examine the skin and ask about:
• Time frame for when the skin condition first appeared signs and
symptoms, such as long-term itching or recurring inflammation of the
skin
• Recent circumstances that may aggravate the condition, such as
excessively dry air or emotional stress
• Family medical history, including questions about close blood
relatives who have asthma, hay fever, or eczema
• Personal medical history
In some cases, a skin biopsy may be performed to rule out other
causes.
Allergies are more common in individuals with atopic dermatitis, and
your physician may consider allergy testing.
Dermatologists may use a “patch test” to determine if the patient
has allergic contact dermatitis, a type of eczema that develops when
the person has an allergic reaction to a substance that contacts the
skin. The reaction generally occurs a few hours after the substance
contacts the skin and settles down within a few days if the
substance does not contact the skin again. A patch test exposes the
patient’s skin to minute amounts of substances that may have caused
the reaction. When the test is positive, the dermatologist must
determine if the chemical caused the dermatitis and if so, if it is
the primary cause or an aggravating factor. Further testing may be
necessary.
How can I treat eczema?
• Make lifestyle modifications to prevent flare-ups
• Use non-detergent body washes & soaps (Cocoon or Clean Enfusion)
• Keep skin moisturized
• See a dermatologist for treatment if needed
• Dermatologists recommend that treatment be sought at the onset of
signs and symptoms. When therapy begins early, it often reduces
severity and duration.
• Your treatment plan will be made based on:
• Type and severity of the eczema present
• Age, health, and medical history (including presence of other
conditions)
• History of previous treatment
The primary goal of treatment is to relieve discomfort by
controlling the signs and symptoms. Since eczema is usually dry and
itchy, most treatment plans involve applying lotions, creams, or
ointments to keep the skin as moist as possible. The treatment plan
also may require lifestyle modifications and using medication as
directed.
Medication that can be applied to the skin may be prescribed to help
relieve itching and inflammation.
Certain types of severe eczema that have been unresponsive to other
treatments may be treated with various medications such as
corticosteroids and cyclosporine.
Since so many factors affect why a person develops eczema, a
treatment plan that works for one person may not effectively control
eczema in another person.
Sometimes it takes a bit of detective work to find an effective
treatment plan.
Lifestyle modifications are the first line of defense in controlling
eczema, regardless of whether the eczema is mild, moderate, or
severe. Recommended by dermatologists, the following guidelines can
help reduce the severity and frequency of flare-ups, which also may
decrease the need for anti-inflammatory medicine. Continuing to
follow these guidelines once the signs and symptoms clear can help
prevent further outbreaks.
My child has eczema. Will he develop asthma?
While atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema is
associated with asthma, it does not directly cause asthma, and
people with atopic dermatitis do not always develop other atopic
conditions, such as asthma. However, a link does exist between
eczema and asthma- one study found that 46% of boys and girls with
asthma also had eczema.
Will my child "outgrow" his eczema?
Currently, there is no way to determine whether or not your child
will outgrow his eczema for certain. In 90% of people, eczema
develops before age 5. In 40% to 60% of these individuals, eczema
persists beyond puberty and into adulthood. The good news is that
many infants with eczema improve by age 2, and about 40% of patients
outgrow the condition by the time they are young adults. Since there
is no way to predict whether or not your child will outgrow eczema,
it is important to seek medical treatment and not wait for your
child to outgrow it. Controlling eczema early can prevent it from
getting worse.
It also is important to know that eczema can be triggered by
environmental factors later in life. Research shows that 80% of
occupational skin disorders occur in individuals who had atopic
dermatitis as a child.
What is done to relieve symptoms in children?
Children are unique patients. It may be difficult for them to resist
scratching, and scratching tends to make the condition worse.
Fortunately, for mild to moderate cases, applying moisturizer
regularly can be very helpful. And, in most cases, the eczema will
disappear as the child ages. Until signs and symptoms disappear,
parents should follow these measures:
• Help the child avoid as many eczema triggers as possible.
• Keep the child’s skin moist. After bathing, be sure to apply
moisturizer while the skin is still damp to retain the moisture in
the skin.
• Help the child avoid sudden temperature changes.
• Keep the child’s bedroom and play areas free of dust mites (a
common trigger).
• Use mild cleansers such as Cocoon on the child’s skin.
• Dress the child in breathable clothing, preferably 100% cotton.
• If these methods fail to help your child, please consult a
dermatologist. After consultation, it may be recommended that your
child use a topical corticosteroid or perhaps a prescription cream,
ointment, antihistamine or antibiotic. Regardless, most children
will see improvement as time goes by.
Reminders:
• Be patient- this is a chronic disease that usually improves and
then flares-up again, but one, which is usually easily managed with
the above therapies.
• Call your pediatrician if: your child is not improving in 1-2
weeks with his current treatments, the itching is keeping your child
awake at night, the rash is infected with pus or honey colored scabs
or if the rash becomes raw and bleeding.
• You sometimes have to experiment to find what works best for your
child's eczema.
• Consider seeing a specialist, such as a pediatric dermatologist,
if you and your pediatrician are not able to get your child's eczema
under good control. |