Is There Really a Long-Term Cure for Eczema?
The itchy, ashy, rashy patches that attack skin with eczema can be torturous at best and unbearable at worst. This skin disease is more than simple dryness. It is a rash that the body produces as a result of a skin dysfunction that doesn’t allow the skin’s barrier to stay intact. The barrier breaks down, and the itchy rash forms.
If you have been diagnosed with eczema, it is natural to wonder if there’s a chance it may go away with time or whether it is something you will have to actively manage for the rest of your life. Or perhaps there is a long-term cure somewhere out there?
Understanding Eczema
Eczema can appear at any moment in life and can range in severity from mild to severe, caused by stress, genetics, or an allergic reaction. Despite the fact that the skin issue is rather common, finding out you have it can be extremely distressing. Eczema comes in many forms, from atopic dermatitis (which is what is often recognized as eczema by a majority of people) to seborrheic dermatitis, which is dandruff or scalp eczema, and contact dermatitis, which arises from, for example, a reaction to a new brand of soap.
Curing Eczema
Let’s clear something up right away: there is no eczema cure. That being said, there are eczema treatment options that can help alleviate the symptoms and possibly the duration of a flare-up.
The duration of an eczema flare-up is determined by the kind of eczema and the severity of the flare. Flare-ups can continue up to three weeks with correct eczema treatment. With the support of a strong preventative treatment strategy, chronic eczema such as atopic dermatitis can go into remission. The term “remission” refers to a state in which the disease is no longer active and you are symptom-free. Remissions can last anywhere from a few weeks to several years.
Treatment Options
While figuring out how to cure eczema permanently seems like a never-ending battle, there are over-the-counter lotions and drugs that can help reduce inflammation. In severe cases, your dermatologist may prescribe topical corticosteroid creams. These medicated creams work to alleviate the itching and dryness.
Beyond following your doctor’s recommendations, it is critical to also improve your quality of life. Uncontrolled and untreated skin disorders cause a great deal of harm. Eczema’s itching and suffering can lead to sleep loss, which has an inevitable effect on general health, including mental health.
When you have atopic dermatitis, the first thing you should do is use gentle skincare products. Keeping showers to 5 to 10 minutes in lukewarm water, washing with a soft fragrance- and scent-free cleanser, and applying moisturizer shortly after bathing while the skin is still damp are all actions that can be taken to deal with it. Other things that can help include avoiding cigarette smoke, reducing contact with home cleansers, and avoiding other common irritants such as nickel and wool or polyester clothing.
A doctor may even advise you to avoid foods that aggravate your eczema.
Some meals can promote the release of T cells, which cause inflammation, as well as immunoglobulin-E, or IgE, an antibody produced by the body in response to a threat. Nuts, milk, and wheat are all foods that cause inflammation. Another natural eczema treatment is aloe vera. Skin with eczema may benefit from its antibacterial and antifungal properties, as well as its anti-inflammatory qualities.
Our dermatologists have extensive experience treating all forms of eczema and have access to all the latest treatments. If you want to explore your treatment options and you are in Cincinnati, Ohio, our experts at The Dermatology Group will be glad to assist you. Call us today!