Eczema is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder. It can appear as blisters that crust over to become scaly, itchy rashes, or as dry, thick patches of skin with scales. The main symptom is itching, and symptoms can come and go. Although eczema is not contagious, it is very common -- estimates are that more than 15 million people in the United States have eczema. People with eczema often have a personal or family history of allergies. There is no cure, but treatments can reduce symptoms and help prevent outbreaks.

The most common signs of eczema are:

• Dry, extremely itchy skin
• Blisters with oozing and crusting
• Red skin around the blisters
• Raw areas of the skin from scratching, which can cause bleeding
• Dry, leathery areas that are either darker of lighter than their normal skin tone (called lichenification)

Eczema in children under 2 years old generally starts on the cheeks, elbows, or knees. In adults, it tends to be found on the inside surfaces of the knees and elbows.

Researchers don’t know for sure what causes eczema. It may be a combination of hereditary (genetic) and environmental factors. In some people, having allergies may trigger eczema. Exposure to certain irritants and allergens can make symptoms worse, as can dry skin, exposure to water, temperature changes, and stress.

• Young age -- infants and young children are most affected (about 65% of cases occur before age one, and about 90% occur before age 5)
• Exposing skin to harsh conditions
• Living in a climate with low humidity
• Personal or family history of allergies to plants, chemicals, or food
• Not getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals (for example, zinc)

Stress can make eczema worse. Other irritants that can make eczema worse include:

• Wool or synthetic fibers
• Certain soaps and detergents as well as perfumes and some cosmetics
• Dust or sand
• Cigarette smoke

Your doctor will look at your skin and take your personal and family medical history when making a diagnosis. Your doctor may ask about stress in your life, your diet, drugs you are taking, soaps and detergents you use, and chemicals or materials you may be exposed to at work. A skin lesion biopsy (removal of a small piece of skin) may be done, but is not always needed to make the diagnosis.

Reducing stress, nervousness, anxiety, and depression may help prevent flares of eczema. Mind-body techniques including cognitive-behavioral therapy and autogenic training have been shown to help. These two techniques can also be combined with learning about eczema.

Avoiding eggs, fish, peanuts, and soy may help some people reduce flares, but it varies from person to person. Ask your doctor to help you determine if avoiding these foods in your diet might reduce how often you have a flare and how severe it is.

Although somewhat controversial, some studies have shown that children who are exclusively breast-fed for at least 4 months are less likely to get eczema. This is particularly true when the nursing mother has avoided cow's milk in her own diet.

Some studies also suggest that babies whose mothers took probiotics (“friendly bacteria”) during pregnancy and while breastfeeding were less likely to have eczema at up to 2 years of age.

Preliminary studies suggest that using skin creams containing omega fatty acids can reduce the severity of eczema or prevent eczema entirely.

The goals when treating eczema are to heal the skin, reduce symptoms, prevent skin damage, and prevent flares. Developing skin care routines, identifying what triggers flares, and avoiding these triggers are a large part of any treatment plan.

Lifestyle

• Avoid anything that makes symptoms worse, such as allergens (things you are allergic to) and things that irritate skin. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. Common skin irritants include wool, synthetic fibers, soaps and detergents, perfumes, cosmetics, lanolin, certain chemicals such as chlorine and solvents (including mineral oil), cigarette smoke, dust, and sand.
• Don’t scratch or rub affected areas.
• Protect skin from rough clothing and irritants.
• Reduce stress with relaxation techniques.
• Keep your environment cool, with stable humidity.

Dry skin often makes the condition worse. Remember to:

• Avoid hot baths or showers; lukewarm water is best.
• Wash or bathe as quickly as possible to lessen water contact.
• Use a mild soap or a nonsoap cleanser, or less soap than usual.
• Moisturize. Apply a lotion or cream within a few minutes of getting out of the shower or bath, to seal in the moisture in your skin.

Parents can help their children by:

• Distracting them so they don’t scratch dry skin.
• Keeping fingernails short to reduce chances of infection from scratching.
• Understanding that visible skin problems can cause social and emotional stress. Offer support and encouragement.

Medications

• Mild anti-itch lotions (Caladryl or Calamine) or topical corticosteroids (hydrocortisone) may soothe mild dry scaly patches.
• Area where skin is thickened may be treated with ointments or creams that contain tar compounds (such as Psoriasin), corticosteroids, and ingredients that lubricate or soften the skin.
• Oral corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation in some severe cases. Examples include prednisone (Deltasone) and methylprednisolone (Medrol). Rarely, in severe cases where adults have not shown improvement with oral corticosteroids, medications that suppress the immune system.
• Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), may be used at night to prevent scratching. These medications may cause drowsiness. Topical (on the skin) antihistamine preparations are also available.
• Topical immunomodulators (TCIs) are newer drugs that are applied to the skin to reduce inflammation. They are steroid-free. The most commonly prescribed TCIs are tacrolimus (Protoptic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel). They are recommended for use only after other therapies have not worked.

Surgery and Other Procedures

Phototherapy and Photochemotherapy

Treatment with ultraviolet light may help mild-to-moderate cases of eczema in children over age 12 and adults. Phototherapy or light therapy may be combined with a type of drug called psoralen. It is then called photochemotherapy.

Nutrition and Dietary Supplements

Many people who have eczema have food allergies, so eating a healthy diet may help reduce inflammation and allergic reactions.

Check with your doctor before giving an supplement to a child.

Avoid exposure to environmental or food allergens. Common foods that cause allergic reactions are dairy, soy, citrus, peanuts, wheat (sometimes all gluten-containing grains), fish, eggs, corn, and tomatoes.

Eat less saturated fats (meats, especially poultry, and dairy), refined foods, and sugar. These foods contribute to inflammation in the body.

Eat more fresh vegetables, whole grains, and essential fatty acids (cold-water fish, nuts, and seeds).

• Fish oil -- In one study, people taking fish oil equal to 1.8 g of EPA (one of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil) had significant reduction in symptoms of eczema after 12 weeks. Researchers think that may be because fish oil helps reduce leukotriene B4, an inflammatory substance that plays a role in eczema. Talk to your doctor before taking fish oil if you are taking any blood-thinning medications, and before taking a high dose. If taking high-dose fish oil make sure you use a brand that removes most of the vitamin A. Too much vitamin A over time can be toxic.
• Probiotics (bifidobacteria and lactobacillus, 3 - 5 billion live organisms per day) may boost the immune system and control allergies, especially in children. However, the scientific studies are mixed; more research is needed to know for sure if probiotics will help reduce eczema symptoms.
• Evening primrose oil -- In some studies, evening primrose oil helps reduce the itching of eczema. However, other studies have found no benefit. People who take anticoagulants (blood-thinners) should talk to their doctor before taking evening primrose oil, and you should always ask your doctor before taking a high dose of evening primrose oil.
• Borage oil, like evening primrose oil, contains the essential fatty acid GLA (500-900 mg per day, in divided doses -- amount of GLA varies by supplement), which acts as an anti-inflammatory. Evidence is mixed, with some studies showing that GLA helps reduce eczema symptoms and others showing no effect.
• Vitamin C (1,000 mg two to four times per day) can act as an antihistamine. In one study, it helped reduce symptoms of eczema, but more studies are needed. Rose hips or palmitate are citrus-free and hypoallergenic.
• Bromelain (100 - 250 mg two to four times per day), an enzyme derived from pineapple, helps reduce inflammation.
• Flavonoids, antioxidants found in dark berries and some plants, have anti-inflammatory properties, strengthen connective tissue, and may help reduce allergic reactions. The following flavonoids may be taken in dried extract form: Catechin (25 - 150 mg two to three times per day), quercetin (50 - 250 mg two to three times per day), hesperidin (50 - 250 mg two to three times per day), and rutin (50 - 250 mg two to three times per day).

Herbs

Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider to get your problem diagnosed before starting any treatment and ask your doctor before taking any herbs. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, you should make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 - 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 - 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 - 4 cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination as noted.

• Topical creams and salves containing one or more of the following herbs may help relieve itching and burning, and promote healing. The best evidence is for chamomile (Matricaria recutita) creams. Chickweed (Stellaria media), marigold (Calendula officinalis), and licorice (Glycyrrhia glabra) may also help, although there is little scientific evidence to back that up. One study did find a licorice cream was more effective than placebo.
• Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) cream can relieve itching. Liquid witch hazel can help with "weeping" or oozing eczema.
• St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), used as a topical cream, has shown promise in one double-blind study. People with eczema who used St. John’s wort on one arm and a placebo cream on the other saw more improvement with the arm treated with St. John’s wort.
• Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which uses a variety of herbs often combined with acupuncture, seemed to be effective for treating eczema in children and adults in two 2009 studies. In one retrospective study, children with eczema who drank Erka Shizheng Herbal Tea, applied an herbal cream, took herbals baths, and had acupuncture saw their symptoms improve. In another study, adults who received individual treatment with traditional Chinese medicine based on their eczema symptoms also saw symptoms improve. Better studies are neededbefore this treatment can be recommended.
• Other herbs that have traditionally been applied to the skin to treat eczema include sarsaparilla (Smilax sp.) and marshmallow (Althea officinalis).

Homeopathy

Although very few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic therapies, professional homeopaths may consider the following remedies for the treatment of eczema based on their knowledge and experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional -- your physical, emotional, and psychological makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate treatment for each individual. Any remedy that causes aggravation of symptoms should be discontinued right away.

• Calendula -- applied to the skin, particularly if the affected area is inflamed; this remedy soothes but does not cure the skin condition.
• Sulphur -- for redness, burning, itching, and hot skin that tends to worsen with washing and scratching.
• Urtica urens -- for large, red rashes (particularly those related to allergies) that itch and burn intensely.
• Rhus toxicodendron -- used as a remedy for inflamed skin resulting from direct contact with an irritating substance; some homeopaths use it to treat eczema.

Massage and Physical Therapy

One clinical study looking at essential oils for treating children with eczema found that massage with and without essential oils helped improve dry, scaly skin lesions. Children with this scaly, itchy skin problem seem to have less redness, scaling, and other symptoms if they had massage between flares. Don’t use massage when skin is actively inflamed. The essential oils most often chosen by the mothers in the study included sweet marjoram, frankincense, German chamomile, myrrh, thyme, benzoin, spike lavender, and Litsea cubeba.

Exercise

In one clinical study, regular group sporting activities improved symptoms in people who participated for 3 weeks. It may be that exercise improved symptoms because of the positive impact it has on the emotions. Sports should be avoided during the worst stages of an outbreak.

Climatotherapy

Climatotherapy uses sunlight and water (such as the ocean) as therapy. The Dead Sea in Israel is known for its healing properties, and many people with eczema go there to sit in the sun and swim in the water. Clinical studies back up the benefits. One clinical study looked at the experience of more than 1,500 people with eczema and found that 95% of skin was cleared in people who had previous stays at the Dead Sea and stays longer than 4 weeks.

Mind-Body Medicine

Flares of eczema are associated with anxiety and stress. Several clinical studies have shown that relaxation techniques can reduce the number of flares and relieve symptoms of eczema. Biofeedback seems to be a particularly useful technique.

Starting an infant on solid foods slowly and gradually may help prevent the food sensitivities that may contribute to eczema.

People who are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, asters, echinacea, or feverfew should avoid chamomile because it is in the same plant family.

Pregnancy

Avoid the use of burdock and sulfur during pregnancy.

Warnings and Precautions

Chinese herbal treatments for eczema have been gaining popularity in both the United States and the United Kingdom, but you should be cautious about them. Some of the Chinese herbal creams have been found to have high amounts of steroid medications. In a few rare instances, the use of oral Chinese herbs (like a tea) for eczema has led to kidney damage. If you want to try TCM for your eczema, find a respected TCM practitioner and make sure your doctor knows about all herbs you are using, either orally or on your skin.

Prognosis and Complications

Although eczema can lead to complications -- such as bacterial infections of the skin and permanent scar formation -- in many cases is can be easily controlled by avoiding triggers and treating your dry, scaly patches. See your doctor if your eczema does not respond to treatment or if signs of infection (such as fever, redness, pain) occur. Often children with eczema go into remission after a period of time. The remission may last the rest of their lives, although skin may remain sensitive and dry.

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