Eczema Specialist

What is eczema?

Eczema is the name for a group of skin conditions that cause areas of your body to become itchy, inflamed, and red like a rash. There are different types of eczema and the condition typically is chronic, though it does go through periods of flare-up and calm. Some people can experience symptoms of hay fever or asthma during an eczema flare-up.

Types of eczema include:

• Atopic dermatitis
• Contact dermatitis
• Dyshidrotic
• Nummular
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Stasis dermatitis

Each type causes itching and redness and some also blister or peel. Since different triggers lead to different types of eczema, it’s important to understand yours so you can best manage the condition. Eczema often looks different on different people and is common among children.

What are the symptoms of eczema?

All types of eczema cause itchy, red, irritated skin. Although symptoms vary from person to person, they typically include:

• Areas of red or brown patches of dry skin
• Severe itching
• Small, raised bumps that leak fluid
• Patches of thick, cracked skin
• Scaly skin
• Raw, swollen areas

Eczema can appear on your hands, feet, neck, upper chest, and even your eyelids. It’s also common on the backs of your knees and the bends of your elbows. Infants tend to get eczema on their face and scalp.

What treatments can relieve eczema symptoms?

For children and adults who suffer from eczema, preventive measures can minimize flare-ups and reduce symptoms. Keeping your skin moisturized helps to prevent symptoms, as does taking shorter showers using warm water instead of hot to keep your skin from drying out. Identifying triggers or allergens that make eczema symptoms worse is another way to prevent flare-ups.

Reduce your exposure to things like irritating soaps and laundry detergents, or certain foods that make your symptoms worse. Over-the-counter, topical treatments can help. In some cases, immunosuppressant medications are prescribed.

If you don’t want to take medicine for your eczema, or you’re not getting the long-term results you need from other treatments, Dr. Bansal offers narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) light therapy. This type of light therapy, or phototherapy, emits UVB light, the best part of natural sunlight for treating eczema.

During treatment, you stand inside a light booth wearing protective eye coverings for one to 15 minutes at a time. The narrowband light therapy is natural, highly effective, and ideal for patients of all ages, including children, since there is no drug interaction and very low risk of harmful side effects. Medical & Aesthetic Dermatology is your one-stop clinic for full-body UVB light therapy in Howard County.

To learn more about effective eczema treatments or to book an appointment, call the office or schedule online today.