Treatments and Solutions
There is no cure for eczema; however, there are a number of over-the-counter remedies available from pharmacies to treat eczema. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which one to use.
•Emollients – moisturisers, including aqueous cream or E45 cream, which soothe, smooth and hydrate the skin. Lotions, creams, ointments or oils and washes to add to your bath or shower are available.
•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.
If your eczema is severe you may need hospital treatment to remove you from the environment that may be triggering your symptoms.
You also need to identify and avoid the triggers for your eczema to help you to manage your condition effectively. The best way to do this is to keep a diary to record possible triggers, which may help you to identify patterns of possible cause(s).
