Eczema

Eczema services offered in Near John C. Lincoln hospital , Phoenix, AZ

Almost a third of people in the United States have some type of eczema, an itchy and inflammatory skin condition. Board-certified dermatologists at Dermatology Associates, with two offices in Phoenix, Arizona, diagnose and treat eczema with personalized care for patients of all ages, including infants and children who often have symptoms. Call either Dermatology Associates office or schedule an appointment online today.

Eczema Q & A

What is eczema?

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common type of skin irritation that often starts in infancy or early childhood. You can get symptoms at any age that range from mild to severe, and they appear because of an overactive immune system. Your immune system breaks down your skin’s moisture barrier, leaving it itchy, dry, and prone to irritation.

Eczema isn’t contagious, but you shouldn’t scratch your rashes because doing so can break open your skin and cause infections.

What does eczema look like?

Eczema symptoms vary from mild to severe and can fluctuate throughout your lifetime. Many people go through years of remission and have no symptoms, but flare-ups can appear seemingly out of nowhere.

Most people with eczema experience some degree of these symptoms:

Itching
Cracked skin
Dry skin
Rashes
Scaly skin
Blisters
Oozing or crusting
Skin infections after excessive scratching

The team at Dermatology Associates can help you identify any allergies or sensitivities that might trigger your skin reactions, including detergents, fragrances, metals, or dust mites. Dry air and changing temperatures also trigger eczema symptoms for many people.

How can I manage my eczema?

Eczema currently doesn’t have a cure, but symptoms are manageable with many evidence-based treatments. Once you get used to managing your eczema, you may be able to reduce the number of flare-ups you experience or go into remission indefinitely.

One of the most promising steps you can take for managing your eczema is to learn your triggers and then do your best to stay away from them. Some may be unavoidable, but you can save yourself the trouble of frequent flare-ups by eliminating triggering products from your home.

The team at Dermatology Associates can also prescribe clinical care for eczema symptoms, which might include topical corticosteroids, light therapy, immunosuppressants, or biologics. Home care with baths, moisturizers, and over-the-counter medications can supplement the professional care you get. In fact, you may not need prescription medication at all.

The team at Dermatology Associates can prescribe antibiotics for any skin infections that happen as a complication of your eczema.

Call Dermatology Associates or schedule an evaluation and treatment consultation online for you or your child’s eczema today.