Living with Eczema – A Guide

Have you ever had an itchy rash somewhere on your skin? Perhaps it was between your fingers or on your arm or leg? If so, you might have had eczema. Now, don’t worry – the word “eczema” is just a general term for “itchy rash.” According to the Institute of Health, it’s estimated that over 15 million people in the United States suffer from symptoms of eczema. Several kinds of eczema can develop on everyone, from babies to adults. The key is to find out which kind it is and what you can do about it!

Learning about the many symptoms of eczema

The amazing thing about eczema is that it can have so many different symptoms. It might show up as a raised dry patch of skin, or it might be little clusters of blisters on the skin that ooze a clear fluid when you scratch them. Whatever your other eczema symptoms, the primary one is that it itches. You probably can’t tell what kind of eczema you have without have a medical doctor, preferably a certified dermatologist – like the board-certified doctors at Manhattan Dermatology & Laser Center – examine it. Sometimes it’s impossible to figure out what caused the skin rash. All you can do is treat it.

Dermatologist-recommended treatment options for eczema

Your dermatologist can provide different treatment options for your eczema. It’s possible that over-the-counter ointments or creams might work well for a mild case. However, it’s also possible that you might need to use a prescription remedy or a doctor-performed treatment such as prescription ointments or photodynamic blue light therapy.

At-home treatment options for eczema

One little-known fact is that how you treat your skin rash at home can make a big difference in how quickly symptoms disappear. For example:

• if your dermatologist has diagnosed you with eczema, don’t wash the affected area in really hot water. Crank the temperature of your shower back and use lukewarm water for hand washing.
• Don’t use harsh soaps or soaps with perfume in them. They can irritate the eczema symptoms and make it worse.
• And finally, keep the affected area of the skin moisturized. The good moisturizers are often those that come in a jar, such as Eucerin Cream. Try to avoid lotions that come in a pump bottle as they often have alcohol in them that can further dry and irritate your skin.

To determine whether your itchy rash actually is eczema, call the board-certified doctors at Manhattan Dermatology & Laser Center for more information.