Health Topic of the Month: All about eczema

Do you or your child suffer from eczema? Fall and winter are common times for this skin disorder to flare, so read on for information and tips on eczema.

What is eczema?

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a skin disorder that results from the skin being unable to hold in moisture properly. This leads to skin that is sensitive, dries out easily, and can develop an itchy rash.

Eczema occurs in people of all ages, though many babies and children will “outgrow” it or have improved symptoms as they grow.

Common places for eczema to appear are the face, hands, creases of the elbows and knees, and the torso.

Your doctor will usually be able to make the diagnosis based on a physical exam alone. There are no blood tests to diagnose eczema, though a skin biopsy is sometimes required.

Who is at risk for eczema?

Eczema often runs in families, and it is more likely to occur in people who have other sensitivities, such as asthma and food or environmental allergies.

Up to 20% of children and 7-10% of adults in the United States have eczema.

People who have been diagnosed with eczema during their lives may have the disease return even after a long period of no symptoms. This is because the skin structure remains abnormal, even if they are not having symptoms.

Preventing flares

The best way to care for eczema-prone skin is to take steps to prevent a flare.

Some important steps are:

• Hydrate! Drinking plenty of water will help combat Colorado’s dry winter climate;
• Use a daily hypoallergenic moisturizer;
• Avoid irritant clothing such as wool;
• Use only hypoallergenic, unscented laundry detergents and fabric softeners.

Treating eczema

Once you develop itching and a rash from eczema, there are several steps you can take to help your skin heal more quickly.

In addition to the preventive measures listed above, you should:

• Switch from moisturizing lotion to a thick ointment for the skin, such as petrolatum or an eczema-specific formulation available over the counter;
• Apply ointment twice daily to the affected skin;
• Use only lukewarm water for washing and avoid hot baths and showers.

Contact your doctor to discuss use of a steroid ointment if you have severe symptoms or are not improving with these measures.

Topical steroids are useful during flares but can cause skin damage if used for longer than two weeks at a time.

People with severe eczema may need other treatments to stop the itching or prescription pills that treat whole-body eczema.

If you have concerns that your symptoms are severe or not improving, it is important to speak with your doctor right away.

Colorado Plains Medical Center, in conjunction with community health care partners such as Salud Family Health Center, is proud to be teaming up with The Fort Morgan Times to bring relevant, health-related information and awareness to the communities that we serve. Please look for our articles to be featured in The Fort Morgan Times on a bi-weekly basis.

Dr. Claire Bovet is a Family Practice Physician at Salud Family Health Center.