Skin conditions that cause inflammation and rashes are usually referred to as Eczema. These rashes are characterized by redness, skin edema, itching and dryness, with possible crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or even bleeding. Affected areas are often first treated with anti-itching drugs which as a consequence stops the person from scratching which can be an effective Eczema treatment. The problem with Eczema is that the skin loses its natural moisture which needs to be replaced so moisturizing creams or lotions.

Unfortunately there are a number of products that can actually dry the skin out and it is these that the Eczema patient must stop using as soon as possible. Very dry, flaky skin will use a thick ointment, called an emollient. When the skin is this dry, aqueous cream and other light emollients cannot be used as they dry the skin out further. For mild-moderate eczema a weak steroid cream or ointment may be used like Hydrocortisone or Desonide corticosteroids; although they do not cure eczema, they are highly effective eczema treatments, controlling or suppressing the symptoms in most cases.

These corticosteroids can only be used sparingly though as the skin may become worse after long term exposure. Research has shown that one of the reasons for Eczema could be the type of diet the sufferer has and any allergic reactions they may have to certain foodstuffs. Still in the early stages of research this could prove invaluable for those people whose Eczema is caused by an allergic reaction to certain foods. Foods that seem to fall into this allergy category are nuts, wheat, coffee, milk, cheese, butter, eggs and Soya although not every one of these will affect ever Eczema sufferer.

Not all of the Eczema treatments used to combat Eczema are conventional as both alternative medicine and Chinese Traditional medicine also have therapies available as well. Should you decide to try either of these methods you will be required to inform your dermatologist or doctor straight away. Eczema using either of these alternatives will still face similar efficacy problems to conventional medicine. The very nature of Eczema means that the skins surface is open to infection and antibiotics are also used as a treatment.

An Eczema sufferer who scratches an itchy area can not only infect that area but also transfer that infection to other parts. A further deterioration will be seen in the skin if this happens, until the correct antibiotic is prescribed. A more recent form of Eczema treatment is the use of light, normally UVA but often UVB and Narrow band UVB can also help on occasion. This treatment may have a limited application owing to the destructive nature that UVA Ultraviolet light has on the skin by causing skin cancer. This article cannot possible explain every Eczema treatment available but has been written to give an idea of the main options available.

Technorati Tags: , ,