6. Topical Moisturizers
Topical moisturizers, also known as emollients, are an important component of the treatment of eczema. They function by keeping moisture in the skin, minimizing itchiness, and avoiding dryness and irritation, which can exacerbate eczema symptoms.
Topical moisturizers come in a wide variety of forms, including creams, ointments, lotions, and sprays. Some are intended for everyday usage, while others are created especially for those who have eczema.
Because some substances and smells can make eczema symptoms worse, choosing a topical moisturizer that is fragrance- and irritant-free is crucial.
Applying topical moisturizers to the afflicted skin on a regular basis, especially after bathing, might assist to seal in moisture. Avoiding activities and items that might dry out the skin, such as hot showers, abrasive soaps, and certain textiles, is as vital to applying a topical moisturizer.
5. Antihistamines
Antihistamines are a type of medication that can be used to treat eczema.
Both oral (taken by mouth) and topical (applied to the skin) versions of antihistamines are available. Itching caused by eczema is frequently treated with oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which can also benefit people with eczema who have trouble sleeping.
On the other hand, topical antihistamines are less frequently used for eczema patients but could be for those with milder symptoms.
It’s crucial to follow your doctor’s instructions when taking antihistamines and to never exceed the appropriate dosage because doing so might cause drowsiness and other negative side effects.
Antihistamines can also cause adverse symptoms like dry mouth, impaired vision, and urine retention in certain people.
4. Complementary And Alternative Therapies
A set of non-conventional therapies known as complementary and alternative therapies can be used to treat eczema.
While these therapies aren’t often thought of as first-line eczema treatments, some eczema sufferers find that they relieve their symptoms, and some may even combine them with more conventional medicines like topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors.
Following are some instances of complementary and alternative treatments for eczema:
- Diet modification: Some people with eczema may find relief by staying away from items like dairy, gluten, or soy that might aggravate their condition.
- Herbal remedies: Chamomile, licorice, and aloe vera are a few plants that have historically been used to calm and cure skin conditions.
- Probiotics: Consuming probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kefir or taking probiotic supplements may help to enhance skin health and lessen eczema symptoms.
- Acupuncture: This ancient Chinese technique stimulates certain body sites with small needles in order to encourage healing and lessen discomfort.
3. Light Therapy
Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, is a treatment that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to help manage eczema symptoms. Eczema can be treated with a variety of light therapies, including UVA and narrowband UVB treatment.
Some people with eczema may benefit from narrowband UVB treatment, a form of phototherapy that involves exposing the skin to regulated quantities of UVB radiation. Since UVB light is absorbed by the skin, it can help to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms.
Treatments for narrowband UVB radiation are frequently given over the course of many months in a medical environment, multiple times a week.
UVA treatment is a form of phototherapy in which the skin is exposed to UVA radiation, which has a longer wavelength than UVB. A light-sensitizing drug, such as psoralen, is frequently used with UVA treatment to increase the skin’s receptivity to light.
When combined with other therapies like topical corticosteroids or topical calcineurin inhibitors, light therapy can be an effective treatment for those with moderate to severe eczema and can help to alleviate symptoms like itching, redness, and scaling.
It’s crucial to remember that light treatment might have negative effects, such as sunburn, and that prolonged usage may raise the chance of developing skin cancer.
Additionally, those with specific medical disorders, such as lupus or a history of skin cancer, may not be a good candidate for light treatment.
2. Systemic Medications
Systemic medications are medications that are taken orally or by injection and work throughout the body to treat eczema.
When topical therapies, such as topical corticosteroids or topical calcineurin inhibitors, are ineffective, these medicines can be used to help manage severe eczema.
Systemic treatments for eczema include, for instance:
- Oral corticosteroids: Prednisone is one example of a corticosteroid that can be used to treat severe eczema symptoms. Oral corticosteroids are primarily used as a short-term therapy since long-term usage might have serious negative effects.
- Immune-modulating medications: Medication that suppresses the immune system, such as methotrexate, azathioprine, and cyclosporine, can help to decrease inflammation and relieve eczema symptoms. These drugs should only be taken under careful supervision since they might have serious adverse effects and are often used after other therapies are ineffective.
- Biologic medications: A more recent family of drugs called biologics, like dupilumab and rituximab, targets certain parts of the immune system. Due to their high cost and probable adverse effects, these drugs are normally only used as a last resort for treating severe eczema.
- Antidepressants: People with eczema may benefit from taking antidepressants like doxepin to aid with itching relief and sleep improvement.
It’s critical to remember that certain systemic drugs might take several weeks to start working, and they can have serious adverse effects.
It’s crucial to consider the usage of systemic drugs with your healthcare practitioner because some of them may interact with other medications or have additional dangers.
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