Eczema: Symptoms and Treatments

Eczema: Symptoms and Treatments

Eczema is a condition that causes your skin to become dry, itchy and bumpy. This condition weakens your skin’s barrier function, which is responsible for helping your skin retain moisture and protecting your body from outside elements.

Symptoms

Symptoms of eczema include:

• Dry skin.
• Itchy skin.
• Skin rash.
• Bumps on your skin.
• Thick, leathery patches of skin.
• Flaky, scaly or crusty skin.
• Swelling.

Treatments 

Topical corticosteroid creams and ointments: These are anti-inflammatory medications and should relieve the main symptoms of eczema, such as inflammation and itchiness.

Oral medications: If topical treatments are not effective, a doctor may prescribe oral medications like systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressants.

Antibiotics: Doctors prescribe antibiotics if eczema occurs alongside a bacterial skin infection.

Topical calcineurin inhibitors: This drug suppresses the activities of the immune system. It decreases inflammation and helps prevent flares.

Injected biologic drugs: These medications block proteins in the immune system to limit immune system response.

Sources: Clevelandclinic.org, medicalnewstoday.com