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Eczema Specialist

Eczema Specialist

About Eczema

Eczema causes itchy, red, inflamed patches of skin that can make you uncomfortable and self-conscious. The board-certified team of dermatologists at Southwest Michigan Dermatology can take care of your eczema concern at their Portage, Michigan, office. They have the expertise and experience to diagnose and treat you. If you’re ready to get the relief you need, call or request your appointment online today. 

Eczema Q & A

What is eczema?

 

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, varies in severity from having occasional dry skin to experiencing outbreaks that cause itching and painful rashes.

The onset of eczema symptoms can become worse at night, which can cause you to lose sleep due to the constant urge to scratch. If you scratch too much, you can break the skin and become vulnerable to infection.

 

What are the symptoms of eczema?

Eczema can have symptoms common to other skin conditions. That’s why you need a professional diagnosis from the Southwest Michigan Dermatology team. 

 

Symptoms include:

  • Itchy skin
  • Red, inflamed patches of skin
  • Rashes
  • Yellow or white flaky skin
  • Scaley, cracked skin
  • Oozing, crusted blisters
  • Pain

When you come in for an evaluation, your provider looks over your medical history and conducts a thorough skin exam. If you have eczema, they can determine what type you have and customize a treatment plan for you.

 

Who develops eczema and why?

Eczema tends to be more common among children, usually beginning before age 5. Unfortunately, it can linger into adulthood.

Reasons for being at risk for developing eczema include:

  • Family history of eczema
  • Personal history of asthma
  • Personal history of hay fever
  • Living in a polluted area

Eczema affects both men and women, but women are slightly more susceptible to the condition.

 

How is eczema treated?

Because the severity of eczema varies, your provider may prescribe several different types of treatment. Unfortunately, eczema doesn’t have a cure, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with discomfort.

Your treatment plan might start with making lifestyle changes that include determining what affects you, like temperature changes, pet dander, food allergens, and even stress. Once you can identify what triggers your eczema, you can avoid them. Your provider can even give you techniques to manage stress if that seems to be one of your triggers.

 

Prescribed treatments might include:

  • Medicated shampoos
  • Antibiotics if you have skin infections
  • Antibiotics that kill allergy triggers
  • Antihistamines to control and relieve your itching
  • Topical corticosteroid creams
  • Topical inhibitors 

Keep in mind that taking warm, short showers rather than hot, long ones can prevent you from stripping natural oils from your skin. Also, if you use topical medications, put them on right after bathing when your skin can more easily absorb them.

 

Phototherapy is another effective treatment for widespread or localized eczema, such as on the hands and feet. This light therapy discourages your body’s inflammatory response in the skin. Your provider may recommend it when topical treatments aren’t helping you find relief. 

 

Call the office or request an appointment online to learn about the best strategies to help get your eczema under control.