Your doctor has just given you a diagnosis of eczema, that painful, red, itchy, and often oozing rash you get from time to time. Or maybe you feel like you are never able to get rid of it. It can make life miserable, cause you to call in sick to work and make living a normal life very difficult. You probably have a lot of questions for your doctor, but there are five main ones you might want to ask right away.
Maybe you wake up at night scratching your arms and legs until they bleed. During the day you might not notice as much itching, but your rash often oozes and has started to scab over in places until the itching starts again, and you scratch the scabs off.
There is no definite answer to why people get eczema (also called dermatitis), but there are some common causes and risk factors for eczema with which you might identify.
Some of the methods to keep from scratching might not be top of mind but there are some easy and quick options you can take:
Treatments for eczema vary and can depend on how serious your breakout is. If you are suffering from an acute allergic reaction, your dermatologist might prescribe an antibiotic or suggest an over-the-counter antihistamine. Other treatments can include:
There is no definite answer to how long you will suffer from this condition. The cause of your eczema can give you some idea as can determining if it is acute or chronic. One way to shorter the duration is to try your best to keep your fingers off of the rash so it will have a better chance of healing.
One positive thing about eczema is that it is not contagious, so you don't need to worry about someone close to you catching it. However, some eczema is hereditary. Once your dermatologist determines the type you have, you will have a better idea about why you might have it and if you can pass it down to your children.
Call us today to set up an appointment at The Dermatology Group. Our dermatologists are experts in skin treatment and can help you live your life more comfortable while you begin treatment for your eczema.