Are you or your child experiencing red, itchy patches on your skin? Eczema is an extremely common inflammatory skin condition that affects over 30 million Americans. Though it’s an ongoing challenge, eczema treatment can be managed by understanding the personal triggers and effective treatments of the condition. Here are the answers to questions many patients have.

4 FAQ About Eczema

What is eczema?

Eczema is the name for a variety of conditions that cause redness, itchiness, and inflammation of the skin. There are six variations of eczema, which include atopic dermatitis, nummular eczema, and stasis dermatitis. Each condition is different for each patient, and the intensity can range from mild to severe. 

It’s common for babies and young children to develop eczema on their face near the mouth and eyes. Adults can also have it even if they didn’t as a child. It’s commonly experienced on the neck, inner elbows, chest, and behind the knees, though it can become present on any part of the body.

What are the symptoms?

Some patients exhibit only a few symptoms while others are not so lucky. The intensity of symptoms and visual impact of the condition varies case by case. A few of the most common include dry or sensitive skin, intense itching, dark or rough, scaly patches on the skin, crusting, and swelling.

What are the treatment options?

Though there is no cure, eczema treatment is effective and allows most people to manage the condition. Be aware of your triggers to avoid exposure and prevent intense outbreaks. Sweating during a workout, fragrant detergents, and scratchy clothing can contribute to the onset of eczema.

In addition to minimizing triggers, be sure to implement a thorough, daily bathing and moisturizing routine and use over-the-counter or prescription medication consistently, as prescribed by your doctor. 

Is it contagious?

Fortunately, it’s not contagious. The cause of eczema is still unknown, but research shows that it’s present due to a combination of genes and environmental triggers. Therefore, it can be inherited but is not transmitted between persons.

For effective eczema treatment for patients of all ages, visit Dr. David T Plaxico - Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Macon. Serving all of Middle Georgia, the compassionate, personalized care of the staff is effective at identifying the cause and trigger of allergic reactions and eczema outbreaks and developing an individualized treatment plan. Visit their website for more information on products and services or call (478) 743-9376 to speak with a helpful staff member today.