Eczema

Eczema is an extremely common condition that affects many children and adults. The atopic form typically presents in children before the age of 3 and can be associated with asthma and hay fever. Eczema in adults can also occur due to changes in the skin as we age and environmental factors. A decrease in filaggrin ( a protein component in the skin) has been found to be part of the etiology of atopic dermatitis (eczema) and is genetically determined. This protein is critical to help maintain the skin barrier function that protects us from our environment.

Helping to maintain and restore the skin barrier is a critical part to helping eczema improve. There are prescription products that have been shown to help with this including Epiceram, Hylatopic Plus and Mimyx. Over the counter moisturizers that have Ceramides present which are critical to helping the skin include Cera Ve and Cetaphil's Restoraderm. By applying these products immediately after bathing the skin will be much healthier and less itchy. Hot baths and showers wick away our natural protective oils so beware of this in the winter time when eczema is usually worse.

There is also good evidence to suggest that staph bacteria can cause recurrent skin flares and thus we often have patients who suffer from this skin condition take a "bleach" bath 1-2x per week which eradicates this organism. It only takes 1/4cup of bleach added to a full tub of water to make it antibacterial.

Eczema Reference

Eczema