What should people with eczema do?

Table of Contents

• What Is Eczema?
• What Are the Symptoms of Eczema?
• What Are the Triggers of Eczema?
• What Should Daily Skin Care Look Like in Eczema?
• What Are the Medical Treatment Options for Eczema?
• What Is the Difference Between Eczema and Dry Skin?
• Are Nutrition and "Natural Methods" Effective in Eczema?
• What Is the Relationship Between Eczema and Stress?
• How Is Eczema Managed in Children and Babies?
• What Should Be Done During an Eczema Flare-Up?
• What Is the Relationship Between Eczema and Skin Infections?
• Can Laser or Aesthetic Procedures Be Done in Eczema?
• When Should You See a Dermatologist About Eczema?
• What Are Practical Tips for Clothing, Bathing and the Home Environment in Eczema?
• How Should People with Eczema Protect Their Hands?
• Why Is Long-Term Follow-Up Important in Eczema?
• How Are Sleep and Itching Managed in Eczema?
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Eczema?

Eczema (atopic dermatitis and related eczematous diseases) is a chronic skin disease with flare-ups, marked by itching, dryness, redness and inflammation of the skin. It is not contagious. It is common in childhood but can begin or continue at any age.

At the root of the disease are a disrupted skin barrier and an exaggerated response of the immune system. When the barrier is broken, the skin loses moisture easily and becomes more sensitive to irritants and allergens.

What Are the Symptoms of Eczema?

The most prominent symptom is severe itching, which can increase especially at night. The skin becomes dry, scaly and red; with scratching, thickening, cracking, oozing and crusting can develop. In children the face and the inner parts of the joints, and in adults the hands, neck and joint flexures, are often affected.

Itching can markedly disrupt sleep quality and daily life. If infection develops, pus, pain and fever may appear and a doctor should be consulted.

What Are the Triggers of Eczema?

Cold and dry weather, very hot showers, harsh soaps and detergents, wool and synthetic fabrics, stress, sweat, dust mites, pollen, pet dander and some foods can be triggers. Triggers differ in each person.

Keeping a diary can help identify triggers. If a food allergy is suspected, an evaluation with a doctor should be made instead of going on a diet on your own.

What Should Daily Skin Care Look Like in Eczema?

The basic treatment in eczema is keeping the skin moisturized. Fragrance-free and alcohol-free emollient creams should be used at least twice a day, especially right after bathing while the skin is slightly damp.

Short, lukewarm showers, gentle soap-free cleansers, cotton clothing and fragrance-free detergent should be preferred. Keeping the nails short reduces scratching damage.

What Are the Medical Treatment Options for Eczema?

In flare-ups, topical corticosteroids recommended by the doctor are the first-line treatment. Calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus, pimecrolimus) can be used especially on the face and skin folds. Some antihistamines can support night-time sleep for itching. If there is infection, antibiotics are needed.

In widespread and resistant cases, phototherapy, systemic drugs and biologic treatments may come into play. Medications must always be used under a doctor's supervision and in the correct dose; using steroid creams for a long time without control can thin the skin.

What Is the Difference Between Eczema and Dry Skin?

Simple dry skin is mostly due to environmental factors and improves quickly with a moisturizer. In eczema, itching is more severe, redness and crusting accompany it, complaints do not fully resolve with a moisturizer and there is a cycle of flare-ups and remissions.

In doubtful cases a dermatologist's examination is needed. Wrong treatment can worsen eczema and unnecessarily delay recovery.

Are Nutrition and "Natural Methods" Effective in Eczema?

The promise of "complete recovery in a natural way" for eczema is not scientific. If some people have a proven food allergy, avoiding that food may be helpful; however, unnecessary diets can negatively affect growth and nutrition.

The effect of applications such as plant oils, vinegar and honey on eczema has not been proven, and some of them can cause irritation or allergy. The safe approach is the care and treatment recommended by the doctor.

What Is the Relationship Between Eczema and Stress?

Stress and anxiety can strengthen the "itch-scratch" cycle by increasing itching and can aggravate eczema. Lack of sleep also reinforces this cycle.

Relaxation exercises, regular sleep and, if needed, psychological support can help control the disease. Especially in children, if sleeplessness develops because of itching, a doctor should be consulted.

How Is Eczema Managed in Children and Babies?

In babies eczema usually starts on the cheeks and scalp. Daily moisturizing, short and lukewarm baths, fragrance-free care products and soft clothing are the basic care. The child's nails should be kept short.

In severe or infected eczema, suspected food allergy and frequently recurring flare-ups, evaluation by a pediatrician or dermatologist is needed. It is important that families do not stop or increase medications on their own.

What Should Be Done During an Eczema Flare-Up?

It is necessary to move away from the trigger, make care more frequent and use the anti-inflammatory medication recommended by the doctor. Cold compresses and emollients help to avoid scratching. If the skin looks infected (pus, yellow crust, fever), a doctor should be consulted immediately.

If flare-ups are frequent, the treatment plan should be reviewed and maintenance treatment discussed.

What Is the Relationship Between Eczema and Skin Infections?

Because of the damaged skin barrier, bacterial (especially staphylococcal) and viral (cold sore virus) infections are more common on eczematous skin. Oozing, yellow crusting, pain and fever are signs of infection; a painful blistering rash suggests a herpes infection and requires urgent evaluation.

If there are signs of infection, a doctor should be consulted instead of trying to treat it on your own.

Can Laser or Aesthetic Procedures Be Done in Eczema?

Aesthetic procedures such as laser, peels and microneedling are generally not recommended on skin with active eczema because they can trigger flare-ups and infection. Once the eczema is under control and the skin barrier has recovered, suitability is evaluated by the doctor.

Treatment of eczema is a medical treatment unrelated to goals such as collagen renewal. Aesthetic devices are therefore not a treatment option for eczema.

When Should You See a Dermatologist About Eczema?

You should see a dermatologist if itching disrupts sleep, if there is widespread redness that does not improve with care, if the skin has pus or crusts, if there is fever, or if your child's nutrition or development is affected. If eczema flares up often, an examination is needed to identify triggers and for long-term planning.

In the examination by Dermatologist Specialist Dr. Melda Özekinci, the severity of eczema is evaluated; a personalized care and treatment plan is created. You can visit our contact page for information.

What Are Practical Tips for Clothing, Bathing and the Home Environment in Eczema?

Cotton, soft and loose clothing should be preferred; wool and coarse synthetic fabrics should not touch the skin directly. New clothes should be washed before wearing, fragrance-free and dye-free detergent used, and laundry rinsed well.

At home, reducing dust mites, keeping humidity balanced and avoiding very hot rooms provide relief. Bath water should be lukewarm, the time kept short and the skin gently patted dry rather than wiped.

How Should People with Eczema Protect Their Hands?

Hand eczema is common because of frequent hand washing and contact with detergents and chemicals. Using cotton-lined protective gloves for dishes and cleaning, moisturizing right after washing hands and not letting water collect under rings are important.

In people whose hands are constantly wet because of their job (hairdressers, health workers, cooks etc.), protection methods suited to working conditions should be planned with the doctor.

Why Is Long-Term Follow-Up Important in Eczema?

Because eczema is a chronic disease, long-term follow-up is important for treatment success. The doctor evaluates the severity of the disease, the response to medication and side effects at regular check-ups. If needed, the treatment is reduced or intensified.

The patient's adherence to the care routine, avoidance of triggers and correct use of medications markedly reduce the frequency of flare-ups.

How Are Sleep and Itching Managed in Eczema?

Night-time itching breaks up sleep. Applying a moisturizer before bed, keeping the bedroom cool, wearing cotton pajamas, keeping nails short and, if needed, wearing cotton gloves reduce scratching damage. Anti-itch treatments recommended by the doctor can improve sleep quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is eczema contagious?

No. Eczema is not contagious; however, there may be secondary contagious infections in infected eczema.

Does eczema go away completely?

Eczema that starts in childhood may improve with age; however, in many people it follows a chronic course and is kept under control with correct care.

How often should a moisturizer be applied in eczema?

It is recommended to apply it at least twice a day and right after bathing.

Are cortisone creams harmful?

They are safe when used as the doctor recommends, at the right strength and for the right duration. Uncontrolled long-term use can thin the skin.

Is eczema caused by stress?

Stress is not the sole cause, but it can trigger flare-ups.