*Use liquid laundry detergent that is unscented and mild. Avoid fabric softeners (liquid and dryer sheets). Rinse clothing and bedding thoroughly after washing to remove detergent residue. (Probably a good idea for children. I don’t find it bothers me, at least not much, as an adult.)
*Avoid chemicals and extreme heat or cold, which can worsen the condition. (I think frequent bathing, towel drying and moisturizing after swimming or extreme heat or cold is as good or better than avoiding.)
* Use cosmetics lightly and seldom. Avoid products with perfume and dyes, and ingredients such as urea, lactic acid or other alphahydroxy acids. (A few concealers bother me; they feel too thick, like my skin can’t breathe. Self tanners almost always bother me. Some deodorants bother me. Heavily perfumed lotions can be irritating, especially if you delay even just a few minutes before applying after bathing. Always put lotion on right away, never put body lotion on the face, never put hand lotion on anywhere except the hands and feet.)
Topical steroids are key medications for controlling the itching and inflammation. Used immediately after bathing, they also help keep the skin hydrated. Most steroids require a prescription. Systemic corticosteroids (tablets, shots or liquids) should seldom be used. They cause flare-ups when the medications are discontinued. (A shot can be a Godsend. I don’t need them anymore, but I highly recommend them if a flare-up is really, really bad. The effects are noticeable almost immediately and the relief can last for weeks. I have not noticed flare-ups when the medications were discontinued. I used to get shots 1-2 times a summer when it was really bad. )
Antihistamines may help relieve itching, often sedating the patient. They are most useful when given at bedtime. Antianxiety medications may also help relieve itching. (I find a combination of bathing often, towel drying, moisturizing, and applying topical steroids and topical antihistamines to inflamed areas the most effective in keeping symptoms under control.)
Antibiotics will treat complicating skin infections. Allergy shots will not help. In fact, they can cause the condition to worsen. (I never tried either for eczema.)
New drugs that prevent the skin from becoming inflamed show promise. An immunosuppressive agent (tacgolimus) has shown promise in both adults and children with atopic dermatitis. (Maybe someday I will try some.)
As a side note, I find it interesting that mosquitoes don’t seem to like me, and usually will bite anyone else around before they bite me. And if they do bite me, my skin barely reacts. I wonder sometimes if it has something to do with the eczema.
