ECZEMA TREATMENT

Atopic eczema is a condition that causes itchy, inflamed skin. It typically affects the insides of the elbows, backs of the knees, and the face, but can cover most of the body. Atopic eczema falls into a category of diseases called atopic, a term originally used to describe the allergic conditions asthma and hay fever. People who live in urban areas and in climates with low humidity seem to be at an increased risk for developing atopic dermatitis.

Dermatitis-Ltd III users generally a see visible improvement in the appearance of their skin within several days to two weeks. Almost all notice a substantial change within 40 days, and even more improvements after several months.

Dermatitis-Ltd III is formulated to avoid any reddening effect by calming the skin and minimizing the overactive blood vessels which can lead to redness. The appearance and feel of skin suffering from psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis is improved within just a few days.

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This is also known as asteatotic eczema and it occurs in older people who have thinner and dryer skin. Large dry scales may form on the skin giving a "crazy-paving" appearance to the skin. It is extremely common in communities of elderly people and may be triggered by soap remaining on the skin after a bed bath. Using a good moisturizing routine and switching from soap to a cleansing bar for dry sensitive skin (such as Cetaphil “moisturizing gentle cleansing bar or Dove) can alleviate it. Steroid creams are generally best avoided because the underlying skin is already very thin and delicate.
Fair-skinned, sensitive or elderly people who bathe a lot in hot showers or tubs can develop an asteatotic eczema that can be extremely intractable. Remembering that the skin's pH is acidic, around 5.0, and all water is slightly alkaline, especially if there are many calcium and magnesium salts in it, it is easy to see how this happens. Cessation of bathing and showering for a while may be necessary to clear the skin of these unfortunate patients. An alkaline skin is increasingly susceptible to the irritant effects of water alone, and the hyper-irritability of the skin can be prolonged; it takes 3 months for a fracture to heal, similarly with the skin. The skin must be put at rest and allowed lubrication for that length of time before it recovers.

Eczema runs its course through three distinct phases: acute, sub acute, and chronic. Symptoms associated with the acute stage of eczema include pain, heat, tenderness, and possible itching. The affected areas are characterized by extreme redness and drainage at the lesion site .The sub acute phase of eczema includes symptoms associated with skin redness and crusting; however, there is no extreme swelling. People in the sub acute phase tend to complain about the symptom of itching more than the pain. Individuals with lesions developed over three months are referred to as having chronic eczema. Itching is a predominant symptom in this phase as well and scratching causes the lesion to worsen. Individuals with atopic eczema will find that their symptoms tend to worsen in the winter months due to decreased humidity in the home or office.

Initial and ongoing treatment for eczema should include: Avoiding dry skin. Keep your skin hydrated through proper bathing and using moisturizers. This includes bathing in warm water, bathing for only 3 to 5 minutes, avoiding gels and bath oils, and using only nondrying soaps;

Apply a moisturizer immediately after bathing;

avoiding irritants that causes a rash or make a rash worse. These include soaps that dry the skin, perfumes, and scratchy clothing or bedding;

Avoiding possible allergens that cause a rash or make a rash worse. These may include dust and dust mites, animal dander, and certain foods, such as eggs, peanuts, milk, wheat, or soy products;

Controlling itching and scratching. Keep your fingernails trimmed and filed smooth to help prevent damaging the skin when scratching. You may want to use protective dressings to keep from rubbing the affected area. Put mittens or cotton socks on a baby's hands to help prevent him or her from scratching the area.

Preventing contact dermatitis means avoiding coming into contact with those substances, such as poison ivy or harsh soaps, that may cause it. Avoiding dry skin may be one factor in helping you prevent future bouts of Dermatitis.

These tips can help you minimize the drying effects of bathing on your skin:

1) Bathe less frequently. Two or three times a week is often enough for most people. Limit yourself to 15 minutes, and use warm, rather than hot, water.

2) Use only certain soaps. Choose super fatted, non sudsing soaps such as Dove, Basis or Ivory that clean without removing natural oils. Soap substitutes in bar, gel and liquid forms are less drying than deodorant and antibacterial soaps. Use soap only on your face, underarms, genital areas, hands and feet. Use clear water elsewhere.

3) Dry yourself carefully. Brush your skin rapidly with the palms of your hands, or gently pat your skin dry with a towel after bathing.

4) Moisturize your skin. Seal in moisture, while your skin is still damp, with an oil or cream. Pay special attention to your legs, arms, back and the sides of your body. If your skin is already dry, consider using a lubricating cream such as Vanicream, Eucerin or Sorbeline.

This medication slows down the build-up of dead skin cells by interfering with DNA and by suppressing the immune system. Methotrexate is also used to treat cancer. The doses used to treat psoriasis are much smaller than those used in cancer treatment. A supplement of folic acid (a B vitamin) may be taken at the same time. Methotrexate is very effective for people with widespread psoriasis that does not respond to ultraviolet light treatment or to medications applied to the skin. It is also effective for psoriatic arthritis. Skin improvement usually begins within several weeks of starting treatment. Maximum improvement is usually seen within 2 to 3 months. Medications applied to the skin may be used to treat any remaining plaques. If psoriasis still does not clear completely, or if the drug dose must be lowered to reduce side effects, methotrexate may be combined with UVB or PUVA phototherapy or with another medication, such as a retinoid. People taking methotrexate must be closely monitored. The drug can cause liver damage. It can also decrease the body's production of red and white blood cells and platelets. Regular blood tests should be done to check the blood count and liver and kidney function. A periodic liver biopsy may also be recommended because the drug's effects on the liver may not show up on blood tests. People who have liver disease or anemia should not take methotrexate. Methotrexate can cause birth defects. It cannot be used by pregnant women, women planning to become pregnant, or their male partners.

Brief, regular periods of exposure to natural sunlight can improve or clear psoriasis in some people. This approach to treating psoriasis is called climatotherapy. Sunburn should be avoided because it can make psoriasis worse. Exposure to sunlight is not recommended for people who are sun-sensitive. Sun exposure can cause aging of the skin. An annual medical checkup is advised because sun exposure can increase the chance of skin cancer.

Moisturizers or emollients including bath oils, soap substitutes can be applied to the dermatitis as frequently as required to relieve itching, scaling and dryness. Emollients should also be used on the unaffected skin to reduce dryness. Emollient therapy helps to restore one of the skin's most important functions, which is to form a barrier to prevent bacteria and viruses getting into the body and therefore help to prevent a rash becoming infected. Emollients are safe and rarely cause an allergic reaction. Occasionally, products with lanolin may cause a reaction. Ideally, moisturizers should be applied three to four times a day. Apply in a gentle downward motion in the direction of hair growth to prevent accumulation of cream around the hair follicle (this can cause infection of the follicle).

It is important in the treatment of eczema to treat the cause of eczema and the aggravating factors in as many ways as possible. Those who modify their lifestyles, eating habits and reduce their level of stress often experience a much greater degree of eczema clearing.

1. Use soap substitutes such as Cetaphil 'gentle cleansing bar for dry sensitive skin' (not the aggressive antibacterial for acne, the oily skin, or the Cetaphil pump liquid with two alcohols), Emulave, or Neutrogena. Cetaphil cleansing bars can be purchased at your local drug store or pharmacy. Bubble bath should never be used as it may cause dryness and irritation of the eczema.

2. Be sure to moisturize your body with creams or lotions such as Jojoba oil (found in most health stores), Keri lotion, 10% urea cream, or Eucerin. Vaseline and ointments can cause the sweat glands to become blocked and make rashes worse. Therefore, they should be avoided.

3. Antihistamines, such as Benadryl by Parke-Davis (25 mg.), can be taken after 7:00 PM to control itching, which tends to be worse at night.

4. Keep nails clean and short to prevent scratching and infection.

5. Avoid skin irritants such as animal dander (dogs and cats), feathers, harsh fabrics (denim and corduroy), tight clothing, and sometimes even wool and silk. Cotton clothing is recommended as much as possible.

6. Launder clothing with mild soap or detergent (Dreft, Ivory Snow, certain sans-additive detergents such as Tide Free). Use no additives such as enzymes, fabric softeners. Wash new clothing prior to wearing.

7. Avoid temperature and humidity extremes, don't overdress or overheat. When humidity is low as during the winter in heated homes, a humidifier may be helpful.

8. Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools. Lake and ocean swimming is fine. Apply moisturizers afterwards.

9. Reduce or eliminate coffee and other stimulants as well as reducing or eliminating alcohol.

10. Keep the body well hydrated with water. The smallest person should consume at least 8 glasses of water a day (eight ounce glass). The average person should consume 10 to 12 glasses daily. And a person with an above average exercise program or that lives in a cold climate should have 12 to 16 glasses. Christie Brinkley, a well-known international model, weighs only 135 pounds and averages 12 to 16 glasses per day (3 to 4 liters)!