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Eczema Treatments Article
Eczema Treatments May Vary By Person & Severity of Symptoms
from:If you've been diagnosed with eczema, you're probably relieved to finally know what has been causing you all the discomfort and embarrassment. Your doctor or dermatologist will first explain what type of eczema you have and then he'll go over eczema treatments with you. The type of eczema treatments will depend on the type of eczema, your medical history and the severity of your symptoms. The main goals of the eczema treatments will be to reduce the skin inflammation, control itching, loosen and remove scaly lesions, clear any infections and prevent or reduce new lesions.
It's important to realize that there is no miracle or instant cure for eczema and you may have to try a few different eczema treatments before you find one that is working effectively. Most doctors and dermatologists have found that a combination of different therapies seems to be more effective in treating eczema. One recommendation your doctor will make will be for you to make some lifestyle changes. This may not cure the eczema, but it may prevent you from having future flare-ups as well as reduce any possible side effects you may have from the prescribed medications.
Your doctor may give you your preference as to eczema treatments or medication. One of the most common treatments is topical medication or steroids. Topical medication is medication that is applied to the skin such as creams, lotions and ointments. Topical steroids my be over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams or stronger steroids that require a prescription. Strong steroids are usually avoided with children, however. Some of the common steroid creams include Dermatop, Cutivate, Locoed and Elocon. Side effects such as stretch marks and skin thinning may occur if these are used too long. Many patients prefer to use topical medications without steroids, in which case, they often use Elidel or Protopic. These are considered quite safe eczema treatments for children and can be applied on the face, unlike the stronger medications. They are also effective in preventing flare-ups when they are applied at the first sign of itching or the rash.
Another type of eczema treatments that are often used are antihistamines. Antihistamines are quite effective as eczema treatments. One reason for this is that eczema is often thought of as being allergy-related. They are also recommended for children because they help the child to rest better at night without itching. Benadryl and Atarax are two medications that work well. Applying cold compresses also helps to relieve itching. In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend ultraviolet light therapy and phototherapy. Although, these are effective, there is always the risk of cancer when using UV Rays.
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