What is eczema

1. What is eczema, and what are the treatments for it? Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition with itching, dryness, and inflammation. It is more common in children before their first birthday but can appear at any age. Atopic eczema is typically a chronic condition that can improve or even clear up in some children as they grow older. How does eczema look and feel? Atopic eczema can cause severe itching that disrupts sleep, leading to tiredness and irritation. Atopic eczema typically progresses from a flare-up to a more stable condition, and then back to a worse state. Identifying the cause of a flare-up is not always possible.

2. Atopic eczema can affect the face, joint creases, and body folds (flexures) or be generalized. The skin is dry, with fine scales and areas of redness that cannot be defined (erythema). In people with colored skin, redness may be more visible, and affected areas may darken. Atopic eczema can also cause coin-sized inflammation on the limbs (discoid pattern) and small bumps around hair follicles, particularly in skin of color. Atopic eczema causes skin changes such as weeping, blistering, crusting, fissures, and thickening. What causes eczema? Eczema is a complex condition, with multiple factors influencing its development, including: •Genetic factors: Atopic eczema typically runs in families. If both parents have eczema, their children are more likely to develop it. Approximately one- third of children with atopic eczema develop asthma or hay fever. •Environmental factors such as soaps, detergents, and other chemicals come into contact with the skin. Other factors include allergen exposure and infection with specific bacteria and viruses. •Eczema is not contagious. Importance of Treatment Eczema treatment is critical for relieving symptoms, preventing flare-ups, and improving overall quality of life. Effective management strategies can help people with eczema live more comfortable and fulfilling lives. Medical Treatments There are several medications available to treat eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. These medications can help to reduce symptoms and manage flare-ups. Here are some common examples: 1. Topical Corticosteroids: Anti-inflammatory creams or ointments are applied directly to the affected skin to relieve inflammation and itching. •Hydrocortisone cream (e.g., Cortizone-10) •Triamcinolone acetonide cream (e.g., Kenalog) •Betamethasone cream (e.g., Diprolene) 2. Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors: These are immunosuppressive creams or ointments that help to reduce inflammation and itching.

3. •Tacrolimus ointment (e.g., Protopic) •Pimecrolimus cream (e.g., Elidel) 3. Emollients/Moisturizers: Moisturizers help keep the skin hydrated, reducing dryness and itchiness. They don't treat eczema directly, but they are essential for managing symptoms and preventing flare-ups. •Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream •Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream •Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion 4. Antihistamines: These oral medications can help reduce the itching caused by eczema. •Diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) •Cetirizine (e.g., Zyrtec) •Loratadine (e.g., Claritin) 5. Systemic Corticosteroids: In severe cases, corticosteroids, either oral or injectable, may be prescribed for short-term inflammation control. However, long- term use of systemic corticosteroids is not recommended due to the possibility of side effects. •Prednisone •Methylprednisolone (e.g., Medrol) •Dexamethasone 6. Topical Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) Inhibitors: Crisaborole (Eucrisa) is a topical medication that relieves inflammation and itching caused by mild to moderate eczema. •Crisaborole (e.g., Eucrisa) 7. Biologics: These are newer medications that target specific immune system pathways associated with eczema. •Dupilumab (e.g., Dupixent) 8. Phototherapy: In some cases, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light under medical supervision can help alleviate eczema symptoms. •Narrowband UVB therapy •PUVA (psoralen plus ultraviolet A) therapy These examples show a variety of medications commonly used to treat eczema. It is critical to use them under the supervision of a healthcare professional, who can tailor the treatment plan to the patient's specific needs and monitor for potential side effects.