Don’t scratch it! If you have eczema, this is something in the forefront of your mind all the time. The urge to itch can be nearly uncontrollable.
Eczema is a common condition where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, cracked, and rough. Some types can also cause blisters. The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema. “Atopic” means that a condition is, generally, related to an allergy.
Causes of Eczema
There are a number of triggers for a person’s eczema symptoms. These can vary from person to person. The causes of atopic eczema remain unclear, but it’s likely the result of numerous factors taken together, including genetic, socioeconomic, and environmental factors.
Common triggers for atopic eczema include:
- Irritants such as soaps and detergents, including shampoo, liquid hand/bath soap, and bubble bath
- Environmental factors or allergens such as cold and dry weather and dampness, and more specific things such as house dust mites, pet fur, pollen, and molds
- Food allergies such as allergies to cows’ milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, or wheat
- Certain materials worn next to the skin, such as wool and some types of synthetic fabrics
- Hormonal changes such as those that happen in women before their period starts or during pregnancy
- Temperature or other physical factors such as when someone is stressed, sweaty, too hot, or too cold
Treatments for Eczema
Following a diagnosis of atopic eczema, work with your healthcare team to identify any triggers for your symptoms. Treatments for atopic eczema can help to ease symptoms. The aims of treatment are to keep skin healthy, prevent flare‐ups, and control symptoms as soon as they occur. There is no cure, but many people find their symptoms naturally improve as they get older.
The main treatments for atopic eczema are as follows:
- Emollients. These are moisturizers that are used daily to stop the skin from becoming dry. In addition, they may also have a mild anti-inflammatory role and can help reduce the number of flare-ups you have. Emollients should be applied within three minutes after showers or baths, as the skin can become dry that quickly. Emollients need to be applied on the skin at least twice a day, including on the unaffected skin. The most appropriate moisturizer depends on the season, patient preference, and current symptoms. Some people even find it effective to replace their soap with an emollient.
- Topical corticosteroids. These creams and ointments are used to reduce swelling and redness during flare-ups. Monitor your corticosteroid use with the aid of your healthcare team to ensure correct dosage and usage.
- Antihistamines. These anti-allergy medications may be prescribed for severe itching.
- Covering the affected skin. This protects the skin from scratching, especially in children. Bandages or special body suits allow the body to heal underneath. Eczema is often itchy, and it can be very tempting to scratch the affected areas of skin. But scratching usually damages the skin, which can itself cause more eczema to occur. The skin may eventually thicken into leathery areas as a result of chronic scratching. Deep scratching also causes bleeding and increases the risk of your skin becoming infected or scarred. Using mittens, covering the skin, or rubbing the skin rather than scratching it can prevent potential skin damage and infection that can arise from scratching.
- Dietary changes. Some foods, such as gluten, eggs, and cows’ milk, can trigger eczema symptoms. The possibility of a food allergy should be investigated, and the eczema sufferer may be encouraged to seek out and address potential food allergies that may be aggravating their eczema.
There are several things an eczema sufferer can do to help relieve their symptoms. Moisturizing the skin often, managing stress, avoiding harsh soaps and detergents, using a humidifier, avoiding extreme temperatures, and paying attention to foods that can trigger or worsen eczema are worth mentioning again. And, of course, it is important that someone with eczema avoids the urge to scratch as this will only make matters worse.
Written by Joanne Myers
References
- What to know about eczema
- Eczema
- Atopic eczema causes
- The pathogenesis of atopic eczema
- Allergies
- Food allergy
- A Comprehensive Review of the Treatment of Atopic Eczema
- Different strategies for using topical corticosteroids for established eczema
- Antihistamines
- A multidisciplinary approach to evaluation and treatment of atopic dermatitis
- Dietary modifications in atopic dermatitis: patient-reported outcomes
