Eczema Treatment

There is no eczema cure, but there are many forms of eczema treatment which can help relieve the symptoms of eczema.

Treatment for eczema is the generally the same for all types of eczema. An emollient should be used to sooth and moisturise the skin, and a topical steroid (called a corticosteroid) applied to reduce any skin inflammation.

Emollients

Emollients (or moisturiers as they are more commonly known) can be split into 3 different types – creams, ointments and lotions.

Creams
Creams are made of a mixture of water and fat and feel light and calming to the skin. Because of this many people prefer to use a cream moisturiser on their skin during the day. Please note that creams also contain a preservative that some people may become sensitive to with prolonged use.

Ointments
Ointments don’t contain preservatives and are generally more greasy. Because of this they are better than creams at keeping water in dry and thickened skin, and tend to be used at night where cosmetic appearance is not a factor.

Lotions
Lotions contain more water than fat and are not as effective as creams or ointments at moisturising the skin. They are mainly used on hairier parts of the body where they are easier to apply.

Useage
Emollients should be used to moisturize regularly, and at the correct times. Ideally, twice a day after bathing or showering is about right. The reason it’s done after bathing is so it can seal some of the moisture from the bath or shower into the skin for extra hydration.

Topical Corticosteroids or Steroids

Corticosteroid treatments contain hydrocortisone which is very similar to a natural hormone secreted by the adrenal gland.
The corticosteroid treatments are effective in reducing swelling, inflammation, itching and redness and so allowing the affected area to heal.
Like all medications corticosteroids can produce adverse side effects so they should only be used under the supervision of a doctor or dermatologist. The likelihood of any side effects occurring is directly linked to the strength of the preparation, the length of usage, the condition of the skin it is being applied to and the age of the subject.