Live Life Team
There is no cure for eczema, but as with recommended psoriasis treatments, there are some options that can help to alleviate the severity of the symptoms.
Self care is an important aspect of eczema treatment. The condition is often very itchy and it can be tempting to scratch the affected areas, but this can make the situation worse. If scratching continues over a long period, the affected skin can thicken or develop infection. By doing your best to avoid scratching, keeping your nails short and wearing light, cool clothing, you can minimise the risk of excessive scratching.
As with psoriasis treatment, one of the most important aspects of eczema care is avoiding trigger factors. These will vary from person to person, and can include certain fabrics, heat, soaps, detergent and allergies such as dust mites. By working with your doctor, you should be able to identify and hence avoid the most significant triggers.
Emollients are often one of the first psoriasis treatments prescribed by doctors and are also used in the treatment of eczema. These moisturising applications ease the itchiness of the affected areas, provide protection and reduce dryness. They also often play a role in fighting inflammation and so reducing the frequency and severity of flare-ups.
For skin that is particularly inflamed, topical corticosteroids might be prescribed. These are applied directly to the affected skin and will reduce symptoms in a matter of days. Topical corticosteroids vary in strength, from mild preparations such as hydrocortisone to stronger versions like mometasone. The use corticosteroids will be monitored by your GP.
In some cases, a doctor may prescribe antihistamines; a form of medication that blocks the action of histamine in the blood, and so reduces the itchiness of eczema patches. Antihistamines can be sedating or non-sedating, and care should be taken when using the sedating form of the drug, particularly with children.
In severe cases, special medicated bandages or wet wraps are used over emollients to prevent the patient from scratching and to give the skin a chance to heal without drying out. For patients with intractable or severe eczema, a referral to a specialist dermatologist can be the best solution to help resolve the condition.
