Good skincare and early diagnosis are the best ways to treat eczema. Some of the elements used to diagnose eczema include chronic skin rashes, severe itching and a high risk of hay fever and asthma. In many cases, eczema lasts for months and even years. However, the symptoms may come and go. Hence, many patients need long-term treatment. After the diagnosis of eczema is done, the treatment depends on the severity of the same. In cases of mild to moderate eczema, simple home remedies and lifestyle changes are all that’s needed to treat eczema. In severe cases, medication may also be needed.
Self-help treatment
Self-help is usually the first step towards treating eczema. The most important part of treating eczema is to keep the skin moist and prevent scratching of the skin.
- Use the right soap
Scented soaps can often aggravate skin conditions and allergies. Hence, these should be avoided. Choose a mild soap that will cleanse the skin without drying it. Avoid having long showers as they can cause dry skin. - Use a moisturizer
Moisturizers keep moisture from evaporating from the skin and prevent it from drying out. The best time to moisturize your skin is just after a shower. Using a humidifier can also help keep the skin well moisturized. - Bleach
Adding a small amount of bleach in your bath water can help treat severe eczema caused by bacterial infections. This is useful as bleach can kill the bacteria causing eczema. - Stress management
Stress is not a direct eczema trigger but it can aggravate the condition. Thus, it is important to reduce the exposure to stress. In addition, one should find effective ways of managing stress. Meditation, exercise, and yoga are excellent ways of treating the same. Taking up a new hobby can also help relieve itchiness and divert attention from eczema.
Medication
Medication may be needed if the eczema is not relieved by self-help measures. There are many different types of medication that may be used to treat eczema. These medicines may be in the form of pills to be taken orally, or ointments, gels, and creams. Antihistamines and corticosteroids are common types of medicines prescribed for eczema.
In addition, medication may be prescribed to alter the immune system. These are usually prescribed if other types of treatment are ineffective. These medicines can help control eczema by reducing inflammation and reducing the immune system’s reactions. These medicines should not be taken without a doctor’s prescription.
In some cases, medication may have to be injected. This works by controlling the body’s immune system. In such cases, the injection is usually administered once every fortnight. This type of medication must not be given to children.
Ultraviolet light therapy
This is also known as phototherapy and may be prescribed in cases of severe eczema. It helps calm skin inflammation and reduces itchiness. Simultaneously, it increases vitamin D production as well. Ultraviolet light therapy can be used to treat eczema as well.
