A Guide To Atopic Eczema Treatment

Eczema has been derived from a Greek word that means to boil. It is a skin condition that leads to inflammation resulting in pustules formation on the skin. It is a most common chronic skin disorder worldwide. It can affect people of all age groups but is most common among kids. It causes redness, itching, dryness and flakiness of the skin. Another term to define eczema is atopic dermatitis, and affects wrists, hands, necks, arms, face, back of knees, upper chest and scalp. For eczema scalp treatment, medicated shampoos that contain selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, coal tar, zinc pyrithione and salicyclic acid is recommended. It usually flares up from time to time, and is not contagious.

Atopic Eczema Treatment

Atopic eczema is most common in the children under five years of age. After the age of 20, it is quite uncommon to develop this condition. The atopic eczema treatment consists of three parts. First is to avoid any type of irritant to the skin and other factors that trigger the symptoms. Second part is to use emollients everyday so that development of inflammation is prevented. Third part is the use of topical steroids when eczema flares up.

An effective atopic eczema treatment is to avoid the use of soaps when washing, as they tend to dry the skin. Try not to scratch the affected area. In babies, uses anti-scratch mittens, and for others, keep the nails short. To relieve the itch, rub the area with fingers. Try to wear cotton clothes rather than the fabrics that can irritate the skin. Avoid getting into extreme temperatures, and use the detergent that is suitable for sensitive skin.

Dry skin flares up easily and gets inflamed. Creams, lotions, and ointments offer an effective atopic eczema treatment. There are various brands available, and it has been observed that greaser, thicker ointments show better results, but are also messier to use. Use them liberally everyday after bath, and keep using even after the skin appears fine. Various atopic eczema treatment preparations are also available in the form of shower gels and bath additives.

Topical steroids are used for atopic eczema treatment when more eczema patches flare up. Use of these steroids must be stopped after inflammation is gone, which usually takes 7-14 days.

If even after using all the atopic eczema treatments, the condition gets worse, see your doctor, who may increase the strength of topical steroid, change the emollients currently being used, or give a dose of antibiotics.