Once diagnosed, a treatment plan (or plans) will be put together taking into consideration the specific type of eczema and other factors including: the type and severity of the case, your age, health and any other conditions that may be present as well as your previous treatment history. One key element that will be emphasized in any treatment plan is to keep your skin moisturized using some form of topical creams or lotions like Dermarest® Eczema products  that have been specially formulated to treat eczema.

Your doctor may prescribe one of the following mediums based on your particular needs:

Creams are a soothing moisturizer that helps the medication penetrate into the skin.

Liquids are used to dry oozing skin and reduce inflammation – they can often be used in baths, as gels or wet dressings.

Ointments use an increased oil content to form a protective barrier on the skin to prevent moisture loss.  Your doctor may choose not to prescribe an ointment if he or she believes that the required medication may be better delivered through a cream or lotion.

Powder (Zinc oxide being the most common) is typically used in conjunction with another medium to create a paste or shake lotion. Powders are used to reduce skin on skin friction and to dry out oozing/weeping lesions.

Advanced treatment options include:

Antibiotics or antifungal creams may be prescribed on occasion if an infection occurs. This is because in some instances the dryness may be so severe that the skin cracks, creating a potential opportunity for bacteria to get in and cause an infection.

Phototherapy which is the use of Ultraviolet A and B, separately or in combination, can be effective in children over the age of 12 and adults. In cases that are resistant to light alone, a drug called psoralen may be used as well. Possible long term side effects of this treatment include premature skin aging and skin cancer so your doctor will closely monitor your skin while using the minimum exposure necessary.

Resistive cases may require a systemic corticosteroid which is either injected or taken orally. They are given for short periods of time and must be closely monitored by your physician. Stopping treatment suddenly can be dangerous and should be done carefully, working with your doctor to change the dosage.

Severe cases that have not responded to other forms of treatment may require the use of medications that suppress the body’s immune system by blocking the production of certain immune cells while inhibiting others. There are a number of side effects associated with these medications that require close monitoring from a doctor who will prescribe them for the shortest amount of time possible.