There are many varieties of ointments and creams and medications to help treat a case of severe eczema, but it can be a complicated matter when, in the case of atopic dermatitis or eczema, your skin disorder can be linked to allergic reactions such as asthma and hay fever. Atopic eczema affects both children and adults, and is usually revealed in early childhood, sometimes before the age of one year. In these cases, it usually has its’ roots in family members’ medical histories, and can persist through to another child or sibling in the same family.
One of the most common symptoms in any case of eczema is pruritis, or intense itchiness, that then turns into a rash that varies from redness to inflammation and cracking. In the case of cracking, the dermis begins to develop sores from the severity of scratching those spots where it develops consistently, and can even begin to weep or become a case of wet eczema. Constant scratching of an area will leave prone to infection while fluid tends to leak from these wounds, and when the skin splits like this, an emollient may be used to help rehydrate the skin while a topical steroid will reduce the inflammation.
The affected spots will usually look red when the eczema is flaring up, but lumps and/or blisters can also appear in the affected areas, which usually foreshadows a bout with cracking and scaling skin soon afterwards without proper treatment of this atopic skin disorder. After an episodic flare-up, the area can tone down to a lesser degree of active affliction, but the area can always become active under the most distressful circumstances. Treatments do not have to be as problematic as the ailment itself, and even simple steps; like avoiding certain types of soaps and detergents, can be helpful in discouraging flare-ups. Even irritating fabrics can be the source of a particular flare-up, and should be avoided as well.
Moisturizers can help greatly in the day-to-day habits to rehydrate particular areas where eczema can commonly appear, as dry skin tends to flare-up into inflammation, but this can be eliminated with the proper moisturizing regiment. Prevention through keeping your skin supple and moist can alleviate these symptoms of dryness, but can be tedious and difficult work to manage, though particularly well worth it. If inflammation consistently flares up, a topical steroid may be prescribed by a practicing physician or licensed dermatologist, and the inflammation should be prevented when spread over the afflicted areas sparingly, and always use the lowest strength that works well for you.
With moisturizers, the emollient works by replacing the body oils that can get washed away by using soap and water that tends to dry out skin, and keeps a layer of substituted oil on the skin. The more greasy or thick the moisturizer is the better it will work, but the less pleasant they will be to use. With application being liberal to all parts of affected skin, and it is always wise to use topical steroids and moisturizers in conjunction with one another, though the steroid would definitely go on first ads opposed to the emollient.