Eczema refers to a chronic inflammatory disorder of the skin. Infants and young adults commonly develop eczema. It tends to run in families. Risk factors include stress, hot or cold environments, synthetic (man-made) fabrics in clothing, excessive sweating and other allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever. Contact with irritants like soaps, detergents, hand lotions, skin creams, plants, dyes, topical medicines and certain foods can provoke as well as exacerbate (make worse) the eczema.

Symptoms may include:

• Skin inflammation (swelling, tenderness, and warmth)
• Severe itching, oozing, blistering and crusting over affected areas
• Red, raw skin due to scratching
• Rash that begins on the face and spreads to other body areas

What your doctor can do:

• Diagnose the disease by asking about symptoms, doing a physical exam, ordering laboratory blood tests, and sometimes collecting a skin biopsy (removal and study of tissue).
• Prescribe cortisone (steroid) creams and lotions to decrease the inflammation, and tar creams to soothe thickened areas.
• Prescribe oral steroids to decrease inflammation and antihistamines to control itching.
• Prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial infections.
• Recommend mild soaps, lotions, moisturizers and wet dressings to reduce discomfort.
• Recommend an ultraviolet light treatment for severe cases.

What you can do:

• Finish all the antibiotics to prevent recurrent infections.
• Reduce stress with relaxation, counseling, or lifestyle changes.
• Wash affected area only with water and use mild soaps for other areas. Too much bathing and soap tends to dry and irritate the skin further.
• Avoid trigger foods to limit outbreaks and keep fingernails cut short to prevent scratching.
• Wear clothing made of cotton (dries perspiration)
• Apply skin lotions and moisturizers as directed by your doctor (especially after bathing)
• Avoid over-the-counter lotions that contain alcohol, perfumes or dyes (colors). Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about skin preparations that lubricate and provide relief.
• Cover your infant's hands with soft gloves or socks to limit scratching.

What you can expect:

• In most infants, the eczema resolves by 3 years of age without recurrence
• Adults may suffer flare-ups chronically throughout their lives
• Some people develop bacterial infections of the skin.

Contact your doctor if your child develops symptoms of eczema.

Contact Lake Area Pediatrics at
(936) 582-5620