Hin
En
Understanding Eczema: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Approaches
Introduction
Hello, I’m Dr. Karma Patel, a dermatologist with a special interest in teledermatology. We have consulted many patients with eczema through online consultations and helped them manage their skin condition effectively.
Are you looking for the best eczema treatment, especially for your hands or face? Do you need guidance on the right eczema cream or ointment for your skin?
In this blog, we’ll explore what eczema is, its causes, symptoms, and the treatment options available, including specific care for hand and face eczema.
What Is Eczema, Its Stages, and Common Triggers?
Eczema is an inflammatory condition of the skin that is characterized by itching, oozing, and crusting. Eczema skin is usually dry.
Stages of Eczema
There are three clinical stages of eczema:
- Acute Phase: Red, swollen plaques and tiny fluid-filled vesicles appear along with intense itching.
- Subacute Phase: Redness may persist with some scaling.
- Chronic Phase: Skin thickens and becomes leathery (lichenification) due to constant rubbing or scratching.
Common Triggers of Eczema
Eczema can be triggered by various environmental and lifestyle factors such as:
- Dust, plants, and grass
- Soaps and harsh detergents
- Cement and construction materials
- Chemicals, sunlight, and allergens
- Certain foods or climate conditions
Types of Eczema: Exogenous vs Endogenous
Eczema is a broad term, and based on the nature of the etiological agent, it is classified into exogenous and endogenous. Some of the examples of exogenous eczema and endogenous eczema are given below:
Exogenous Eczema: (caused by external factors):
- Irritant Contact Eczema: Caused by direct skin contact with irritants like soaps, detergents, or chemicals.
- Allergic Contact Eczema: Triggered by an allergic reaction to substances such as metals, fragrances, or plants.
- Infective Eczema: Occurs when existing eczema becomes secondarily infected with bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
- Post-Traumatic Eczema: Develops in areas of skin injury or repeated friction, leading to chronic inflammation.
Endogenous Eczema: (linked to internal or genetic factors):
- Atopic Dermatitis: A chronic, relapsing form of eczema often associated with a family history of allergies or asthma.
- Discoid Eczema: Characterized by coin-shaped patches of inflamed, itchy, and dry skin.
- Pompholyx: A form of eczema affecting the hands and feet, presenting with small, itchy blisters.
- Venous Eczema: Occurs in the lower legs due to poor circulation or varicose veins, leading to red, scaly patches.
Now, let us come to the most important part of this blog, which is eczema treatment options
Eczema Treatment Options
Eczema treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, relieving itching, and preventing recurrences.
1. Corticosteroids (Topical and Oral)
Corticosteroids, oral as well as topical, are the mainstay of the treatment of eczema.
- Oral corticosteroids such as prednisolone, methylprednisolone, betamethasone, dexamethasone, & deflazacort are regularly prescribed by dermatologists.
- Topical corticosteroids such as clobetasol and halobetasol are used for thick plaques.
- Corticosteroids exert anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, vasoconstrictive, and immunosuppressive effects.
- It helps to reduce inflammation.
- Topically, high-potency corticosteroids such as halobetasol and clobetasol are used to treat the thick plaques of eczema.
- Low to moderate potency corticosteroids are used in eczema treatment on areas with thin skin.
2. Antihistamines
- Antihistamines are given as a supportive treatment that helps to reduce itching. Especially during acute flare-ups.
3. Emollients and Moisturizers
- Emollients containing liquid paraffin and white soft paraffin are frequently prescribed along with topical corticosteroids in eczema treatment.
- Emollients help to decrease transepidermal water loss and keep the stratum corneum (outermost layer of the epidermis) hydrated.
- It helps to reduce dryness and itching.
4. Immunosuppressants
- Other immunosuppressive agents such as azathioprine and cyclosporine are also used in case of recurrences and in case the patient does not respond to oral corticosteroids.
- Being a practitioner in clinical dermatology, it is advisable to carry out necessary blood investigations before putting patients on this group of immunosuppressants.
- Knowing the triggering agent is an important part in eczema treatment.
- If you suspect the triggering agent for your eczema, avoiding contact with it is crucial, as eczema is a relapsing condition.
- If you suspect that itching is aggravated on exposure to any of the exogenous agent,s such as dust, plants, sun, chemicals, soap, cement, etc., covering exposed areas of the body will certainly help as it protects you from direct contact of that part of your body to the causative agent.
- In cases where you suspect that the triggering factor is the sun, then you should use sunscreen on a regular basis, especially when you go out in the sun.
- This helps you protect your skin from the sun.
- Patch testing helps in identifying the etiological agent.
Need Help with Eczema?
If you are concerned about your eczema and looking for eczema treatment, on hands, or face treatment, then, being a dermatologist, I would recommend that you consult a dermatologist online on neodermatologist.com, because a dermatologist is someone who is certified and specialized to treat your eczema and give valuable advice on:
- Which eczema cream or eczema ointment is good for your condition
- What eczema cream is best for your treatment
- How to find the etiological agent for your eczema through the required investigations
Explore Our Other Online Skin & Hair Services
If you're dealing with other skin or hair concerns, we offer more than just eczema solutions. You can explore our specialized dermatologist services like:
- Online Hair Loss Treatment
- Acne Treatment Online
- General Skin Consultation
- Jock Itch Treatment
Receive expert advice from experienced dermatologists, all through our convenient online platform.
Conditions We Also Treat
We also provide targeted treatments for conditions such as:
- Ringworm
- Scabies
- Psoriasis
- Urticaria (Hives)
- Vitiligo
Our online consultation platform makes it easy to access the care you need, right from the comfort of your home.
To know more about Free Online Dermatology Consultation
Click on the link - Get a free skin online photography consultation with a dermatologist.
Conclusion
Eczema is a chronic and often frustrating skin condition, but with the right understanding and treatment approach, it can be effectively managed. Identifying the type of eczema, avoiding triggers, and following a dermatologist-recommended treatment plan are key steps in controlling flare-ups and maintaining healthy skin. Whether it's eczema on the hands, face, or other areas, early diagnosis and consistent care make a significant difference.
Post a comment