Are You Sick?

When to Call for Eczema

Care Advice

Treatment for Eczema

What You Should Know About Eczema:

• Eczema is a chronic skin disease. So, you need to learn how to control it.
• Itching attacks (flare-ups) are to be expected.
• The goal is to treat all flare-ups quickly. Reason: to prevent skin damage.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Treatment is Based on Severity of Eczema:

• Mild Eczema. Just need to use a moisturizing cream and to avoid flare-up triggers.
• Moderate Eczema. Also need to use a steroid cream and bedtime allergy medicine.
• Severe Eczema. Also may need antibiotics for a skin infection caused by Staph bacteria. This infection starts in open skin from severe itching.

Moisturizing Cream or Ointment for Dry Skin:

• The skin needs a moisturizing cream (such as Eucerin). Apply once or twice daily.
• Apply the cream after a 5 or 10-minute bath or shower. To trap moisture in the skin, apply the cream while skin is still damp. Do this within 3 minutes of leaving the bath or shower.
• The steroid cream should be applied to any itchy spots first. Then use the moisturizing cream as the top layer.
• While most people prefer creams, moisturizing ointments are sometimes needed in the winter. An example is Vaseline.
• Caution: never stop the moisturizing cream. Reason: the rash will come back.

Steroid Cream or Ointment for Itching:

• Itchy skin is the main symptom of eczema.
• Steroid creams or ointments are needed for controlling red, itchy skin.
• Apply steroid creams only to itchy or red spots (not to the normal skin).
• 2 types of steroid cream may be needed.
• a mild steroid cream is used to treat any pink spots or mild itching. This is often 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid). No prescription is needed.
• another stronger steroid cream may be needed to treat any spots with severe itching. This is a prescription steroid cream, such as Synalar. Never apply this stronger cream to the face.
• Apply these creams as directed or 2 times per day.
• After the rash quiets down, apply it once per day. After 1 week just use moisturizing cream.

Bathing - Avoid Soaps:

• Take one bath or shower a day for 10 minutes in lukewarm water. Reason: water-soaked skin feels less itchy. After the bath, apply a moisturizing cream (such as Eucerin) to all the skin.
• Avoid all soaps and bubble baths. Reason: eczema is very sensitive to soaps and bubble bath.

Allergy Medicine for Itching at Bedtime:

• Some people with eczema need an allergy medicine (such as Benadryl) at bedtime. No prescription is needed.
• Reason: scratching in bed can cause severe skin damage. It may also impact falling sleep.
• Do not use Benadryl for more than a few days. If you need a med longer, switch to a long-acting antihistamine, such as Zyrtec.

Itching Attack - Shower to Remove Irritants:

• Gardening (pollens), being around animals, or swimming can cause increased itching.
• For itching from these causes, take a quick shampoo and shower.

Itching Attack - Treatment:

• At the first sign of any itching, use the steroid cream. Put it on the areas that itch. If unsure, apply 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid). No prescription is needed.
• Keep your fingernails cut short and smooth.
• Try not to scratch.
• For constant itching, you may want to cover your hands with socks or cotton gloves.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Itching is not under control after 2 days of steroid cream
• Rash looks infected (spreading redness, yellow scabs or pus)
• You think you need to be seen
• Your skin gets worse

Prevention of Eczema Flare-Ups

Tips to Help Prevent Flare-Ups:

• Some flare-ups of eczema cannot be explained. But others are triggered by things that can be avoided.
• Avoid chlorine in swimming pools and spas, harsh chemicals, and soaps.
• Never use bubble bath. It can cause a major flare up.
• Keep off the grass during grass pollen season.
• Avoid any animals that make the rash worse.
• If certain foods cause severe itching (flares), avoid them.
• Avoid things that irritate your skin, such as chemicals, greases or detergents.
• Use gloves and a barrier cream if you cannot avoid irritants
• Wear clothes made of cotton or cotton blends as much as possible. Avoid wool fibers and clothes made of other scratchy, rough materials. They make eczema worse.
• Try to avoid excess heat, excess cold and dry air (use a humidifier). Avoid over-dressing. Heat can make the rash worse.
• Caution: avoid anyone with fever blisters (cold sores). The herpes virus can cause a serious skin infection in people with eczema.

Call Your Doctor If:

• You have other questions or concerns

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.