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Eczema Treatment

eczema treatment from dermatologistEczema treatment tips from a dermatologist can help improve eczema from different causes. It is important to know that the term 'eczema' is not specific. There are different types of eczema. They are caused by very different things. Even more importantly, the treatment of the different types of eczema often involves different medicines and skin care routines.

Dermatologist explains eczema and gives tips to help heal your skin.

dermatologist's tips to treat eczema yourself

In general, the word 'eczema is most commonly used to describe the type of eczema called atopic eczema (also called atopic dermatitis). Atopic eczema is an inherited skin problem that describes the classic case of those born with “sensitive skin”. People with atopic eczema (dermatitis) have dry skin that loses moisture more easily than normal skin, and is more easily irritated by harsh products. Their skin immune system is hypersensitive and allergies to ingredients such as fragrances and preservatives are more common. When eczema develops, it is a rash characterized by redness, scale, and sometimes weeping, crusting, and small fluid-filled blisters.

The best hypoallergenic, hydrating skin care routine is extremely important for anyone with eczema.

Eczema Treatment

That includes gentle soaps and cleansers used with cooler water temperature to help avoid stripping skin oils and irritating sensitive skin. Ingredients that calm inflammation, such as green tea antioxidants, are helpful. It’s important to lock in skin hydration after bathing by applying moisturizer within 3 minutes after toweling dry. Hypoallergenic and deeply hydrating moisturizers are really important to control eczema. Sun protection is always important, and sunscreens should be both non-irritating and hypoallergenic.

Know that the term “eczema” is actually much broader than atopic eczema; it actually describes a type of change in the skin called spongiosis, and can be seen in allergic dermatitis, dandruff, and other more complicated rashes.

What are the main types of eczema?

Atopic dermatitis

This type of eczema is usually is hereditary and can involve all of the skin of the body. It often starts in the folds of the elbows and behind the knees. Areas of skin with atopic eczema are prone to a skin infection called impetigo. In this type of eczema, skin structure is weaker than normal. Skin moisture is lost easily and skin irritation happens more readily. Allergens also seep into skin faster than with normal skin. In addition, atopic eczema prone skin has an immune system that is hyperactive, leading to allergic reactions to many things such as wool, perfumes, laundry soap, ingredients in skin care products etc. People with atopic dermatitis need to use hypoallergenic skin care products to prevent developing allergic reactions in the future.

facial eczema from seborrheic dermatitis

Scalp and face eczema due to seborrheic dermatitis.

Scalp skin and the seborrheic areas of the face can appear dry, red and itchy. Skin with this type of eczema is sensitive and easily irritated by harsh personal care products, weather etc. 

Dry skin eczema, also called nummular or asteatotic eczema. 

This type of eczema often starts on the arms and legs. It gets worse with age. Hands are also very prone to this type of eczema, as is facial skin when exposed to cold or windy weather.

Allergic contact dermatitis

This eczema is due to something your skin touched that it was allergic to, such as poison oak or ivy, or an allergen such as fragrance, essential oils, metal etc.

Irritant dermatitis

Eczema can be caused when your skin’s barrier breaks down due to direct contact with something harsh such as harsh solvents, dish soap, acne treatment ingredients, etc.

Eyelid eczema (dermatitis)

EYELID DERMATITIS ECZEMA

Eczema of the eyelids can be due to contact of your delicate eyelid skin with an allergen or irritating substance such as harsh soaps, acne medicine ingredients, airborne chemicals or allergens, harsh hair care products that wash over your face, allergens carried to eyelids from your hands, etc. These taunting allergens and irritant substances cause a rash on delicate eyelid skin more readily on any of the thicker skin covering the rest of your body.

Dyshidrotic hand eczema

Dyshidrosis is a type of eczema where intensely itchy blisters develop on the sides of fingers, toes, palms and soles. The cause is unknown. These blisters can lead to painful cracks in this very thick skin.

Stasis dermatitis

As the name implies, 'stasis' is a backup of something, in this case blood return occurring on the lower legs due to poor circulation of the leg veins. It can be a chronic condition and the eczema can lead to serious skin infection called cellulitis.

What is the bottom line with eczema and sensitive skin?

It is really important to know that all of the types of eczema involve a very damaged skin barrier. The rash is visual evidence of breaks in this barrier. These breaks lead to hypersensitive skin that is easily irritated. Understanding this concept is important for creating an eczema-healing skin care routine that you can depend on. - Dermatologist Dr. Cynthia Bailey

Skin care treatment that heals eczema must include a hypoallergenic and hydrating skin care routine

best skin cleansers for eczema

This is important to support skin barrier repair. It includes:

  1. Using only gentle soaps and cleansers on eczematous skin and be certain to rinse off all of the cleanser well.
  2. Bathing and washing skin with cooler water temperature. Cooler water helps avoid stripping your natural skin oils. It also helps reduce inflammation (have you noticed how red skin gets on contact with hot water – that increased circulation brings the building blocks of inflammation aka eczema!)
  3. Applying hypoallergenic and deeply hydrating moisturizers. This is really important. For best results, lock in skin hydration after bathing by applying moisturizer within the magic 3 minutes after toweling dry.

What are the best skin cleansers for eczema?

Natural soaps made without botanical essential oil scents are a great choice. Gentle pH cleansers and bar soaps are another great choice for skin cleansing. I list my favorite below. 

What are the best skin moisturizers for eczema?

Again, hypoallergenic moisturizers that are free of fragrance and harsh preservatives are best for eczema prone skin. Light weight products are often not moisturizing enough. Look for products with oils, ceramides and glycerin.  

Ingredients that calm inflammation to help eczema heal include green tea antioxidants.   

best green tea product for facial eczema

Green tea can be found in skin care products. The most powerful product is my Green Tea Antioxidant Skin Therapy which I have found helpful for some types of eczema, especially facial eczema from seborrhea. Other helpful ingredients include oats. 

Sun protection for eczema

Sun protection is always important for healthy skin. Sunscreens for eczema should be both non-irritating and hypoallergenic. Mineral zinc oxide-based sunscreen products are the best choice for eczema prone skin. All of my Sheer Strength Pure Physical Sunscreens provide pure mineral sun protection in fragrance free products perfectly suited for those suffering from eczema.

best sunscreen for facial eczema treatmentbest water resistant sunscreen for eczema treatment

People with eczema need to avoid common allergens beyond those in your personal care products

Home cleaning products are an important source of allergen exposure. For all types of eczema except stasis dermatitis, home cleaners need to be hypoallergenic and non-irritating. I have developed my All Purpose 100% Natural Spray Cleaner especially for my eczema prone patients. Remember, eyelid dermatitis can be caused by airborne spray cleaner droplets, hand dermatitis is worsened by allergens and irritants in home cleaning products and atopic eczema prone skin readily develops allergic reactions to taunting home cleaning product ingredients! Yes, even your home cleaning products are important to your skin’s health when eczema is a skin problem.

Find hypoallergenic products below that are ideal for people suffering from eczema.

Dermatologist-recommended skin cleansers for people with eczema

I have created a range of products to fit most product preferences and skin care habits. Whether it's your entire body skin, your face, or just your hands that suffer from eczema, I've got the building blocks of a skin care routine to help heal your eczema and keep your skin healthy and comfortable.

All of my skin cleansers are hypoallergenic because eczema is more common than people realize. - Dr. Bailey

best natural soap for eczema

Choose from naturally made soaps rich in hydrating glycerin, such as my Naturally Best Bar Soap for face and body. (Please note that 'naturally made soaps' are not pH balanced.) I also have a classic dermatologic cleanser for sensitive skin, called SYNDETS (synthetic detergents). They are pH balanced and include  Vanicream Cleansing Bar Soap. I recommend stocking your entire house, office and life with good non-drying and unscented soaps and skin cleansers so that you never irritate eczema-prone skin.

If you like to use a facial toner, you can follow your facial cleansing with a hydrating toner, such as my Naturally Hydrating Pore Refining Toner.

best skin toner for facial eczema 

Dermatologist-recommended skin creams, lotions and butters for people with eczema.

dermatologist recommended face cream for eczema

Find a full range of hypoallergenic and healing moisturizer that is safe for eczema-prone skin. The Daily Moisturizing Face Cream is perfect for daily facial skin care for all skin types.  

I also have beautiful moisturizers made with botanical oils including my Natural Face and Body Butter  and Natural Body Lotion.

 

eczema treatment best fragrance free skin cream to healeczema treatment best fragrance free lotion

best hand cream to heal hand eczema and dry skin
For hand eczema, there's Dry Skin Hand Cream, and for those suffering from

severely chapped hands, I recommend the Dry Hand Repair Kit to provide your hand skin with intensive repair therapy.

If you have eczema, you need smart skin care choices screened and created by a dermatologist who knows the nuances and pitfalls of your eczema-prone skin. I've worked hard to curate my product line for people like my family, my patients, and you - we are folks who need the absolute best eczema treatment for our sensitive skin.

Dermatologist's Best Products for Eczema

I have created a dermatologist-approved collection of skin care products that are eczema friendly. Click here to browse my recommended products for eczema prone skin including cleansers, moisturizers, makeup and more. These are products free of the most common skin allergens and irritants that trigger eczema flare ups.  

If you would like more specific skin care tips for eczema please see:

Reference

Verallo-Rowell VM1, Dillague KM, Syah-Tjundawan BS.,   Novel antibacterial and emollient effects of coconut and virgin olive oils in adult atopic dermatitis. Dermatitis. 2008 Nov-Dec;19(6):308-15.

Joi A. Nichols and Santosh K. Katiyar, Skin photoprotection by natural polyphenols: Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and DNA repair mechanisms, Arch Dermatol Res. 2010 March ; 302(2): 71. doi:10.1007/s00403-009-1001-3.

Boozalis E, Patel S, “Allergen of the Year” alkyl glucoside is an ingredient in top-selling sunscreens and facial moisturizers, Journal of American Dermatology (2017), Volume 78, Issue 4, 809 - 810 doi: 10.1016/ j.jaad.2017.10.013.