The Skin Center

26081 Merit Circle Suite #109
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949- 582-7699
(949) 582-SKIN
Fax (949) 582-7691


ECZEMA and ATOPIC DERMATITS: a common type of skin allergy.

Atopic dermatitis is a very common skin disease that can produce tremendous physical discomfort and psychological distress. It is a dry itchy skin rash that tends to be worse in the winter and more dry months. The condition affects approximately 3 percent of the U.S. population and is also seen worldwide. Atopic dermatitis is frequently seen in individuals with a personal or family history of related history of related disorders, including allergies (hay fever) and asthma. About 20 percent of patients with atopic dermatitis don’t have any other associated allergic history. Skin lesions may begin at any age, although mainly from infancy to young adulthood. Most patients recover from the disease in early childhood or by their mid-20s. However, some patients’ disease may persist throughout life.

 

 

Atopic dermatitis appears as a chronic, itching, superficial inflammation or redness of the skin. The typical skin lesions begin as a red rash with multiple small bumps and/or blisters. The most distinguishing features of the disease are the location and distribution of the skin lesions. In infants, the rash commonly begins on the face and scalp with red, dry spots. In adolescents and young adults, the rash typically occurs on the elbow bends (front of elbows) and back of knees. It is also seen on the face, neck, and upper chest in areas of skin folds. Many patients also have dry skin all over their body. The initial skin rash can become intensely red, blister, ooze and form scabs.A common complication of the disease is secondary bacterial infection, which may often necessitate antibiotic treatment. Severe itching leads to repeat scratching of lesions – hence the “itch-scratch-rash-itch cycle.”, Because of the persistence of this itch-scratch cycle, the skin may become very thickened in these areas from rubbing. Severe and constant itching is the grand hallmark of the disease. The cause of the disease remains largely unknown, but an inherited or genetic pattern is often seen in families. Fortunately, there have been some recent innovations in this field by the introduction of dynamic, new therapies which involve non-steroid type of medications like Elidel cream and Protopic ointment. There is also new narrowband UVB light treatment to help with very resistant cases. These therapies have the advantage of avoiding some of the common bad side effects with steroid creams like skin thinning and long term skin changes.

 

 

 

General recommendations for patients with atopic dermatitis:
Do’s:
• Bathe with lukewarm water
• Lubricate skin frequently with moisturizers like Aquaphor
• Use a soapless cleanser like Dove Non soap cleanser
• Maintain a comfortable room temperature
• Avoid excess stress
• Keep fingernails short and clean
• Wear light, smooth, nonbinding cotton clothing
Don’t:
• Wear rough, scratchy clothes or woolens
• Bathe too often with hot water and soap
• Use harsh skin cleansing products or soaps
• Rapidly change temperatures
• Use fragrances lotions or body washes

 

Treatment Options:

    • Cerave lotion
    • Vaseline
    • Crisco vegetable shortening
    • Topical cortisone creams like hydrocortisone cream over the counter ( Cortizone 10, Cortaid, etc.)
    • Prescription strength cortisone creams like clobetasol cream
    • Evening  time antihistamines like Benadryl or Atarax pills each night
    • Morning antihistamines like Claritin pills every morning
    • Dilute clorox baths 1-2x/week ( 1/4 cup clorox in 1 bath tub of water)- similar to swimming pool water

 

Eczema Treatments:

The term “eczema” generally includes many different types of skin allergies and rashes. The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis (AD). AD affects more than 15 million Americans of all ages.  People describe eczema as  the “itch that rashes”. We can see itchy dry patches of red skin, which sometimes  get scaly and crusty.

 

Eczema may be caused by either overactive or underactive parts of the body’s immune system. Most eczema patients actually have a hyperactive reaction to minor skin irritants and dryness. In fact, many people who have eczema also suffer from allergies or hay fever, asthma, seasonal allergies,  and often have family members with similar symptoms.

 

Medical UVB is a special light therapy available for very bad eczema.  An advanced light form called narrow band UVB 311nm  is the newest state-of-the-art  UVB light treatment. This is called Narrow Band UVB light or NBUVB. Studies have confirmed that that NBUVB phototherapy is a very good treatment option for eczema and atopic dermatitis. Getting natural sunlight is not the same as using medical grade special narrow band UVB.

 

Another therapy option includes UVA light  or PUVA. PUVA requires a pill plus light wheras UVB does not require a pill. Your dermatologist  can help find the best treatment fit for your skin care needs. Keep in mind that phototherapy is a safe and effective treatment option for eczema that has helped people just like you.

 

 

 

Call to Schedule an appointment at (949) 582-SKIN 
Dr. Gary Cole and Dr. Nili Alai are Board-Certified Dermatologists.
For more information, please call (949) 582-7699 or visit the practice website at
www.lagunaskincenter.com.

 

 


Information in this publication and site is not intended to serve as medical advice. Individuals may use the information as a guide to discuss their treatments with their own physicians. This site does not promote nor endorse the unauthorized practice of medicine by non-physicians or state licensed health care providers.

Medicine is a constantly changing science and not all therapies are clearly established. New research changes drug and treatment therapies daily. The authors, editors, and publisher of these artciles have used their best efforts to provide information that is up-to-date and accurate and is generally accepted within medical standards at the time of publication. However, as medical science is constantly changing and human error is always possible, the authors, editors, and publisher or any other party involved with the publication of this article do not warrant the information in this article is accurate or complete, nor are they responsible for omissions or errors in the article or for the results of using this information. The reader should confirm the information in this article from other sources prior to use. In particular, all drug doses, indications, and contraindications should be confirmed in the package insert.
Copyright © 2003-2011 The Skin Center. All rights Reserved.