Using The Right Eczema Treatments Are Vital In Managing Your Skin

Eczema treatments are vital in helping to keep a flare up at bay and in reducing inflammation and other symptoms of eczema.

It is better to take precautions to reduce the likelihood of the symptoms worsening.

There are so many things that can irritate eczema. This can make it feel impossible to look after your skin.

Although there are many things that can potentially damage your skin, there are also many ways to reduce their impact.

Here is more on the main triggers of eczema.

When you have eczema, taking care of your skin is very important.

It needs to be treated constantly, even when there are no signs of inflammation. You need to keep the skin as healthy as possible.

Not all of the treatments can be used all the time. Some of them, when used long term, may cause further damage to the body and skin.

With guidance from a doctor or dermatologist, they can be used safely.

There is no treatment that has been proven to cure eczema.

They may clear it for a while. The problem is that it can, and most probably will come back.

Looking after your skin is important to stop that small dry patch spreading into a red, itchy major irritation.

Some eczema treatments are used as maintenance. These help to maintain the condition of the skin. Some are used to treat the eczema when it is stubborn and severe.

There are two stages of conventional treatment for eczema. First line treatment and second line treatment. The different methods tend to fall into one of the stages.

First Line Eczema Treatments

• Eczema Moisturizers – Also known as emollients. The most important part in the treatment of eczema. Recommended to be used very frequently. They moisturise the skin and help to limit any damage. They come as Eczema Cream, ointments, lotions, and Soap for Eczema, which are bath additives and soap substitutes

• Topical Corticosteroids – Help with controlling a flare up. They have had some negative press over the years. But if they are used as directed they are pretty safe. There are different strengths of steroid creams that may be prescribed. There can be side effects but these come mostly with the use of very strong creams used over a long period of time. Read about the side effects and guidelines for use here

• Occlusive Dressing – Used to help with the absorption of the treatment that is used under them. They are also good at helping to reduce itching. The dressings make it very hard to get at that itch

• Antibiotics – Given as a Staph Infection Treatment. They come as a cream or a tablet. If the area affected is small then a cream tends to be used. If it is a larger area then a tablet is normally prescribed

• Antihistamines - Help with itching, especially at night. Your skin may feel irritated when you are trying to sleep. So this treatment may help you have a more restful night

Second Line Eczema Treatments

• Calcineurin Inhibitors – Also known as immunomodulators. They affect the immune system by suppressing it. They block Calcineurin, an enzyme that promotes inflammation. The treatments used are Tacrolimus and Pimecrolimus

• UV Light Therapy – Also known as Phototherapy. There are two types used, UVB and PUVA. The rays can be helpful in the improvement of eczema. They are the same as the sun's rays, but used in a controlled way, so reducing the chance of burning and damage

• Glucocorticoids – Also known as Oral Steroids. Taken as liquid or tablets. Maybe given if topical steroids haven’t been effective. If glucocorticoids are taken over a period of time, a steroid use card would be issued

• Immunosuppressants - Used to suppress the immune system. There are 3 types that may be prescribed to treat severe eczema

• Alitretinoin - Used to treat chronic hand eczema when it is not responsing to potent topical corticosteroids. There are risks involved in taking it, that is why it is only prescribed by dermatologists and doctors with experience of the treatment
  

First line eczema treatments are used, as the name suggests, first. They are used first because for most people they would help clear a flare up and help to maintain the skin. They are also very unlikely to cause any damage when used long term.

Second line treatments are tried when first line treatments are unsuccessful. Also when eczema is stubborn and severe, especially when over a large area of the body. When someone is being treated with one of these they are monitored by a doctor or a specialist. They monitor how long the treatment is used for and look out for any side effects.

Natural Treatment For Eczema

If you would like to try a more natural way of managing your eczema, there are a few options.

You can read about the different ways that may help your skin, including oils and herbal remedies, here

Oils include

• Coconut Oil
• Emu Oil
• Evening Primrose Oil
• Hemp Oil
• Neem Oil
• Olive Oil
• Tea Tree Oil

Herbal remedies include

• Aloe Vera
• Borage/Starflower
• Burdock
• Calendula
• Chamomile
• Lavender
• Licorice

There are also some home remedies you could use, including

• Oatmeal
• Baking Soda
• Apple Cider Vinegar

Dead Sea Salts are also reported to be very beneficial for the skin, and eczema.

There is one thing that can be done that could help you to manage your eczema. Because eczema can be affected by allergens and irritants, it is a good idea to find out what these are.

They could be a number of different substances. Some are thought to be triggers of eczema. There are also some common food allergies. The good news is that allergy tests can be done to work out what your allergens are.

You will probably find that different treatments will work at different times. This could depend on your eczema's severity, the areas affected or the type of eczema that you have.

It can take a while to work out the best eczema treatment for your skin. But it is well worth the effort.

It will help with limiting flare ups and managing skin damage. You should combine that with limiting contact with anything that may be one of the triggers of your eczema. You will have happier, healthier skin.

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