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Published Monday 01 September 2008
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Treating your Eczema
Understanding as much as you can about eczema will help you manage your eczema more successfully. This is why websites such as this one are available to help you understand the condition and get the best from your treatment. Check out your local or national patient support society too!
Eczema tends to come and go. By understanding eczema, noticing what makes it worse, and making changes in your lifestyle, you can do a lot to prevent flare-ups, no matter what type of eczema you have. Some people find keeping a diary is useful to help identify things that make it worse or times when it flares up. You can use this information to manage your condition to the best of your ability.
The treatment you need for your eczema depends partly on how severe your eczema is, what type of eczema you have and also on which treatment your skin responds to. In mild cases, simply keeping the skin well moisturised can control eczema. Most cases however need more specific treatment, and your doctor will prescribe the most appropriate treatment for your condition. It is important to follow the guidance of your doctor but do talk with him or her about any information you see that you find interesting regarding eczema.
No matter what type of eczema you suffer from, your treatment is likely to include an emollient - a medical moisturizer in the form of a cream, ointment or lotion to treat the dryness, and an anti-inflammatory cream, ointment, or lotion to reduce swelling, redness and itching. If the eczema is infected antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the infection. There are a lot of other treatments for eczema but the main ones are emollients and topical steroids.
Eczema can affect your quality of life physically and emotionally. It is important not to disregard how eczema makes you feel and how it may affect your life such as relationships, work, school, mood, sports, activities, self esteem, etc. Discussing these quality of life issues with your doctor is important as well as treating the eczema.