ECZEMA

What is Eczema?

• Long lasting, and recurring Skin condition

• Itching, scratching, drying skin,

• Red, scales, excoriated. Sometime may blistering and weeping.

• Eczema happen in all ages. Almost always begins in childhood, usually during infancy.

• May fade in childhood, or continue to life long.

• Affect men and women and all races equally.

Eczema is not contagious.Eczema is not contagious.It is genetically determined.It is genetically determined.

It is an excessive reaction by It is an excessive reaction by the immune system.the immune system.

Common places for infants

Cheeks, and ears, dry, red and cracks.

Cheeks red and dry

• Sometime eczema may associate with hayfever, and asthma.

Common places for children

• Backs of knees, and ankles.

Common places for children: insides of elbows.

• elbows

• Buttock area was spared because of wrapped with diaper and unable to scratch.

Side Side effects effects from from

chronic chronic use of use of cortisocortiso

nene

Chronic scratching, skin

becomes thickening and

scaly.

• Chronic scratching induced white scar areas.(hypopigmentation)

• Palm with small blistering lesions.

• Ears are another common places to be affected.

Sometimes with round

red dry scaly lesions.

Around lips, dry and chappedespecially on kids who like to lick

• Another common condition.

• Both arms red, dry and scaly.

Pityriasis alba

• Eczema appears with dry white spots on face.

• Not ringworm.• White spots will

disappear after regular moisturizing.

There is no cure for eczema, There is no cure for eczema, but with proper care, eczema but with proper care, eczema can be under good control.can be under good control.

Triggering or worsening factorsTriggering or worsening factors

• Dry skin• Irritants (rubbing, fumes, chemicals)• Allergens (pollen, dust mites, animal

dander, or molds.) • Emotional stress• Heat and sweating• infection

Home careHome care

Gentle cleansingGentle cleansing Avoid harsh soap, use products Avoid harsh soap, use products

with perfume-free, and dye-freewith perfume-free, and dye-free Good moisturizerGood moisturizer Enough Fluid intake,Enough Fluid intake, Nutrition, balancedNutrition, balanced Emotion, stableEmotion, stable

Products such as…Products such as… Non soap cleansing---dove, Non soap cleansing---dove,

cetaphil, oil of oly, aveeno.cetaphil, oil of oly, aveeno. Moisturizer---- cetaphil cream, Moisturizer---- cetaphil cream,

eucerin (plus) cream, DML eucerin (plus) cream, DML cream, petroleum jelly, aquaphor cream, petroleum jelly, aquaphor ointmentointment

Clothing—cotton material, softClothing—cotton material, soft Laundry---cheer, all, dawnyLaundry---cheer, all, dawny

What you can do?

Pay attention to possible food or environmental allergies, or irritants. May refer for allergy clinic for evaluation.

Good skin care and moisturizing is the key.

Pay attention to aggravating factors

Eg. Environment, food, clothing, products.

Stop all the irritant right awayCall your doctor to evaluate

Use of medicationUse of medication over the counter, such as over the counter, such as Aveeno anti-itch cream, EucerinAveeno anti-itch cream, Eucerin Aveeno oat meal bath Aveeno oat meal bath All the products needed to be All the products needed to be

tested before apply to a larger tested before apply to a larger area.area.

steroidsteroid Usage: anti-inflammationUsage: anti-inflammation Benefit: decrease itch, and rednessBenefit: decrease itch, and redness Side effects: atrophy, discoloration, Side effects: atrophy, discoloration,

and thinning skin. And rebound.and thinning skin. And rebound. Examples: over the counter Examples: over the counter

hydrocortisone 1%, 0.5% hydrocortisone 1%, 0.5% Prescriptions needed for stronger Prescriptions needed for stronger

strength. strength. Use as needed only, max 2 weeks in Use as needed only, max 2 weeks in

a raw.a raw.

antihistamineantihistamine

Use: decrease itchUse: decrease itch Benefits: decrease itchBenefits: decrease itch Side effects: drowsiness, sleepy, Side effects: drowsiness, sleepy,

“drugy”, dry mouth. Such as “drugy”, dry mouth. Such as benadray, ataraxbenadray, atarax

May try non drowsy ones, such as May try non drowsy ones, such as claritin (Loratadine), or allegraclaritin (Loratadine), or allegra

Eczema resources

• www.nationaleczema.org

• www.aaa.org (american academy of dermatology)

• www.livingwithitch.org

• www.fda.gov (food and drug administration)

• www.cdc.gov (centers for disease and control and prevention)

Question?Question?

Thank youThank you