Eczema Facts

Eczema is a chronic skin disease in which the skin becomes itchy and inflamed, causing redness, swelling, cracking, weeping and scaling. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that one-fifth of all school-aged children have eczema, and 60 percent of these children will continue to have one or more symptoms into adulthood.

"While the physical symptoms of eczema are often quite painful, it's important not to ignore the emotional toll that this condition has on people," explained Dr. Lebwohl. "Oftentimes, patients will feel depressed because their condition won't go away and their self-esteem ultimately suffers as well."Until recently, topical corticosteroids have been the mainstay for treating eczema. Although these medications can be quite effective, they can cause a number of side effects including thinning of the skin, formation of dilated blood vessels, stretch marks and infection. When applied around the eyes, topical corticosteroids can cause cataracts and glaucoma. If enough of the steroid is absorbed into the body, affected children may experience suppressed growth.

Now, a new class of drugs called topical immunomodulators, or TIMS, has been developed. These steroid-free treatments are effective in treating eczema without the side effects found with using corticosteroids. Tacrolimus is the first FDA approved steroid-free treatment for eczema, and its results on patients have been quite dramatic. Pimecrolimus is another new topical immunomodulator that, although not yet approved by the FDA, has shown promising results in clearing eczema without the common side effects. "Topical immunomodulators have really revolutionized the treatment of eczema," said Dr. Lebwohl. "Patients find the ointments easy-to-use and the results, in some cases, are almost immediate. I think the quality of life of many patients and their families has been significantly improved."

In the meanwhile, here are some tips by Mayo Clinic Health Center to manage winter eczema:
Avoid scratching whenever possible.
Cover the itchy area with a dressing, if you can't keep from scratching it.
Trim nails and wear gloves at night.
Dress appropriately. Doing so may help you avoid excessive sweating.
Wear smooth-textured cotton clothing. This will help you avoid irritation.
Avoid other irritants: wool carpeting, bedding and clothes, harsh soaps and detergents.

_The American Academy of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic