Understanding Eczema: A Dermatologist’s Approach To Soothing Skin

Understanding Eczema: A Dermatologist's Approach to Soothing Skin

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, can leave your skin feeling itchy, red, and raw. You may need some help in managing your eczema, and you can turn to your dermatologist. Dr. Robert Terry Garbacz at Dermatology Of North Texas, in Wichita Falls, TX, provides a wide range of skincare services, including diagnosis, treatment, and management of eczema.

What You Need To Know About Eczema

To understand eczema from a dermatologist's perspective, you need to consider what may be causing your eczema. Common causes of eczema include:

• Exposure to an allergen
• Chronically dry skin
• Immune system issues
• Chemical exposure and other environmental factors
• Genetic factors and a family history of eczema

You can do a lot to help prevent eczema if you:

• Always wear protective equipment including gloves when handling chemicals
• Try to avoid allergens and contact with toxic plants
• Apply moisturizer at least once each day to avoid dry skin and keep skin supple
• Always wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to 50 when you are outside
• Avoid direct, intense sunlight
• Avoid exposure to extreme cold or wind

You also need to consider your eczema symptoms, to help you and your dermatologist determine the best way to soothe and heal your skin. Eczema can appear as:

• Reddish-brown patches on your scalp, face, elbows, chest, knees, ankles, and feet
• Areas that severely itch at night
• Swollen, inflamed, red, raw areas of skin
• Dry, cracked, or scaly patches of skin in different areas
• Bumps on your skin that drain fluid and develop a crust afterward

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you can try a few simple home remedies, including:

• Taking over-the-counter oral or topical antihistamine medications
• Applying calamine lotion to soothe irritated, itching skin
• Applying moisturizer after you take a shower
• Placing cool, wet bandages or dressings on affected areas
• Taking daily oatmeal or baking soda baths
• Wearing cool, loose, breathable clothing

For moderate to severe eczema symptoms, your dermatologist may recommend these treatments to relieve your eczema symptoms and soothe your skin:

• Prescription-strength oral and topical antihistamine medications to relieve itching
• Antibiotic medications to kill surface bacteria on your skin
• Injectable or oral anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation
• Corticosteroid dressings reduce inflammation and relieve itching
• Light therapy to reduce eczema patches

Want To Know More?

To discover more about the signs, symptoms, treatment, and management of eczema, call Dr. Robert Terry Garbacz at Dermatology Of North Texas, in Wichita Falls, TX. You can reach him in the office by calling (940) 767-3376, so call today.