While most treatments for eczema can be purchased over the counter, when you have bad eczema you have to be more careful not to inflame the skin further as that may cause scarring and infections. Therefore if you have bad eczema you need to see a dermatologist or specialist that is experienced in treating the condition.
Bad Eczema Treatment
Most doctors will usually prescribe corticosteroid creams or immunosuppressant medicines to try and bring down any redness and inflammation so that the dryness and itchiness can then be treated. While these medicines can be effective, they are only usually safe short term so you will need to monitor how your skin reacts while taking them.
A safer option is to consider phototherapy. Many eczema sufferers do say that light and sunshine help their skin, and many hospitals offer light treatment which uses UVB lights to heal the skin. But this isn’t without its risks either as you need to avoid sunburn and premature skin aging.
Dietary supplements are also proving beneficial as they work with the skin from the inside out. Particularly effective for treating eczema is evening primrose oil which helps increase the levels of the essential fatty acids in the body. You can usually find evening primrose oil supplements in most good health food shops inexpensively.
Many people also have good results choosing natural alternatives such as naturopathy and Chinese herbal medicine. Make sure you go to a reputable practitioner that has some experience in treating eczema to ensure both good results and safety as well.
Bad Eczema in Children
Children are often much more susceptible to bad eczema than adults because their immune systems are not yet fully developed. They also don’t understand that you can’t scratch the affected areas in case it makes it worse. However there are still things you can do to help treat it effectively.
In most cases the treatment is the same as for adults, except in milder doses. They include corticosteroid creams and lotions and medicine to help suppress the immune reactions of the skin in less potent formulas.
Usually a regular moisturizer can also help to keep the area itch free as the more hydrated you make them, the less they will need to scratch. Make sure the moisturizer you use is free of perfumes, dyes and alcohol.
And of course avoiding any trigger’s such as harsh detergents and soaps, chemicals and other known skin allergens should also be followed.