Treatments and Solutions
There is no cure for atopic dermatitis. Prevention is the best way to treat the condition, so get an allergen test, or keep a diary of flare-ups and possible triggers to find out the substances that you should avoid. It is also important to develop a gentle, effective skin care routine, and moisturise your skin regularly with an unperformed moisturiser such as aqueous cream.
There are a number of over-the-counter remedies available from pharmacies to treat the symptoms of the condition. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
•Emollients – Lotions, moisturizers, including aqueous cream or E45 cream, oils and washes, which soothe, smooth and hydrate the skin.
•Mild steroid creams – these hydrocortisone creams can calm flare-ups of eczema by suppressing your body’s inflammatory response. Only use after consultation with your GP or pharmacist.
If these treatments are not effective, a number of treatments for eczema are available on prescription, including:
•Stronger steroid creams – these should be used very sparingly as steroids may have side-effects. If strong steroids are used for an extended period of time, or on a delicate area of skin such as the face and armpits, it can thin the skin.
•Oral steroids – available as tablets to treat severe eczema, used for short periods of time
•Immunosuppressant tablets – these are prescribed for severe eczema but can have severe side-effects so should not be taken for long periods
•Topical immunosuppressants – creams or lotions applied to the skin to reduce inflammation. These new treatments do not contain steroids so may have less side-effects but the long-term safety is not yet known
•Antibiotics – prescribed if the skin has become infected
•Antihistamine tablets – these have sedative properties and can help people with eczema to sleep
•Ultraviolet treatment – given in hospital by a specialist.
