Eczema

Dry, itchy skin disrupting your life? Our eczema specialists at Oak Dermatology create personalized treatment plans to provide lasting relief and healthier, more comfortable skin.

Understanding Eczema

Eczema, affecting over 30 million Americans, presents as itchy, inflamed, and rash-like patches. It can appear anywhere on the body and worsen with dryness, stress, or irritants. A weakened skin barrier allows it to be more susceptible. While eczema is sometimes confused with psoriasis, our dermatologists at Oak Dermatology can provide an accurate diagnosis.

Atopic dermatitis is a specific type of eczema with a genetic predisposition. It triggers eczema flare-ups due to allergens, stress, or weather changes. Eczema, in general, has broader causes like genetics and environmental factors.

Symptoms:

Red, itchy, dry skin with persistent rashes
Itching often precedes the rash
Affected areas commonly develop dry, itchy, or thickened patches
These patches are most common on the face, neck, hands, legs, and inner elbows/knees in children
Scratching can worsen symptoms, leading to open sores and infections
Severe cases may have pus-filled blisters or crusted patches

‍

Personalized Treatment for Eczema

Oak Dermatology offers a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to the severity of your eczema. Here's a general overview of what to expect:

Mild eczema: We recommend identifying and avoiding triggers while implementing a daily skincare routine with over-the-counter hydrocortisone or Benadryl creams to manage itch and inflammation.
Moderate eczema: In addition to trigger avoidance and a consistent skincare routine, we may recommend prescription medications to manage your eczema. These might include topical steroid creams to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system's response in the skin. Immunomodulators, a class of medications that regulate the immune system, can also be helpful for some patients. In cases of moderate eczema with significant itching, oral steroids may be prescribed for a short-term course to quickly bring symptoms under control.
Severe eczema: For patients with severe eczema, biologic injections may be an effective treatment option. These medications target specific parts of the immune system that contribute to eczema, offering significant relief and improved quality of life.

Regardless of the severity, consistent moisturizing with medical-grade skincare products and proper showering practices are crucial aspects of eczema management. Our dermatologists will work with you to create a personalized daily management plan that incorporates these strategies and the most appropriate medications to effectively control your eczema. While there is currently no cure for eczema, this approach can significantly reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.

‍