Living with Eczema

Living with eczema can be a challenge, with the itchiness and dry skin driving you crazy. Unsightly rashes lead to discomfort and embarrassment, and any open sores on your skin can increase your risk of infection. It's important for your overall health and well-being to keep your eczema under control.

Family Medicine and Acute Care of Sandhills supports our patients living in and around Cameron, North Carolina, who are dealing with challenging skin conditions, such as eczema. Also called atopic dermatitis, eczema rashes can be kept under control with these helpful tips and tricks.

Dealing with outbreaks

When your eczema is flaring up, the symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable. Follow these tips to get immediate relief.

Don’t scratch
During an outbreak, you'll be tempted to scratch at itchy rashes. Don't! Scratching irritates the skin, and open sores increase your risk of infection. Distract your mind and try to keep your hands occupied.

Use medications
Over-the-counter medications can make outbreaks more bearable. Hydrocortisone cream eases mild itching and oral antihistamines can help with symptoms, too.

If necessary, you can use prescription medicines to tame bad outbreaks. When you come in to see us, we may prescribe one of these options:

• Dupilumab (Dupixent®), a prescription medication for moderate-to-severe cases not helped by topical medications, given every two weeks as an injection
• Eucrisa ointment, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory topical treatment that helps to reduce itching and redness
• Oral corticosteroids or steroid shots to control severe outbreaks
• Steroid creams to stop the itching and clear your rash
• Topical calcineurin inhibitor creams to protect your skin and prevent outbreaks

If you're struggling with persistent outbreaks, Family Medicine and Acute Care of Sandhills can help you find the right medications to manage your eczema. We'll also direct you toward treatments like light therapy that can ease your outbreaks.

Preventing outbreaks

Your eczema might only flare up in response to specific stimuli, or it might be a chronic condition that you've dealt with repeatedly. Some aspects of your eczema might be out of your control due to genetic and immunological factors. However, there are still things you can do to reduce your number of severe outbreaks.

Avoid your triggers

Common triggers for eczema include:

• Abrasive fabrics like wool
• Dry skin or sweat
• Harsh soaps and cleansers
• Hot or cold weather
• Pet dander

If you can minimize your exposure to these triggers, you may be able to avoid outbreaks. 

Be consistent with skin care

A regular skin-care routine that keeps your skin moist and supple will minimize your eczema outbreaks. You might need to be flexible when symptoms flare up, but generally you should follow the same skin-care habits.

Use humidifiers and moisturizing soaks to address skin issues, and choose soaps and cleansers without added dyes or perfumes. If a skin-care product seems to be a trigger, discontinue use.

Manage stress

Ironically, stress is another common eczema trigger, so it's important to manage the stress that goes along with having a chronic skin condition. Find ways to relax, even during outbreaks. When you need extra support, share your frustrations with your loved ones.

If you're dealing with persistent eczema and have questions about treatment or prevention, our team at Family Practice and Acute Care of Sandhills is ready to give you our immediate attention. To schedule an appointment, call our office today or book online.