Dry Skin? Or Is It Eczema? What You Need to Know About Eczema

Posted on: October 8th, 2024 by Our Team

Edited by Jennifer Hayes, MD  

Dry itchy skin? You could be one of 31 million Americans with eczema and not know it. And you need to know this: eczema gets worse if untreated. Also note, it can look like run-of-the-mill dry skin. It takes a dermatologist to diagnose it. And sometimes, even a primary care doctor may not recognize it. That’s why it’s best to see a board-certified dermatologist.

If it’s only dry skin, we’ll send you on your way with some OTC treatment suggestions. But if eczema is what you’ve got, we’ll immediately start treatment to halt its progress.

Because October is National Eczema Month, it’s an appropriate time to learn a little more about it.

Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis. There are diverse types of eczema. Your CSI dermatologists can determine which type you may have. But the bottom line is that all eczema types are rooted in the immune system taking its job a little too far and overreacting.

Below, you’ll find an overview of eczema symptoms and treatments.

What Causes Eczema

No one really knows what causes eczema. We do know that it tends to run in families so there’s a genetic component. But what triggers eczema flare-ups can vary with the individual. Certain fabrics, soaps and detergents, emotional stress, weather conditions such as cold or heat, certain foods such as wheat, dairy or shellfish to name a few, have been associated with eczema.

A new study from researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), now suggests that high levels of dietary sodium may increase the risk of developing eczema.[1]

How to Tell If You May Have Eczema

Eczema could be disrupting your life in ways you may not realize. It could be affecting the quality of your sleep because of a persistent itch. It also could limit your clothing choices because you’re covering up rough patches of skin.

Here are some telltale signs of eczema. You may have one or more of these symptoms:

• Intense and persistent itch you must scratch
• Patches of scaly and inflamed skin
• Itchy, painful blisters
• Skin areas that crack, bleed and crust
• Sudden flareups when triggered by a range of factors

Over time and repeated outbreaks, the affected areas can become thick and leathery. This is why it is in your best interest to seek treatment sooner rather than later.

How We Treat Eczema

While the underlying causes of eczema can vary from person to person with genetics, stress, allergic reactions to foods, cosmetics, detergents or seasonal changes or other factors triggering flareups, the treatment modalities for symptomatic relief follow consistent paths. While we work with you to discover the cause of your eczema, we will start you right away on a treatment plan to alleviate your symptoms. Your treatments can include the Excimer laser, UVB light therapy and/or prescription medications.

Excimer Laser

The Excimer laser system provides the latest advances in eczema treatments. By aiming a beam of laser light transmitted through a high-tech fiber-optic delivery system, the Excimer can quickly and effectively clear unsightly and uncomfortable eczematous patches. Because it concentrates light on active patches, the Excimer avoids the risk of damage to healthy surrounding skin.

If we suggest this as a treatment option for you, we will first test your skin to determine your optimum dosage level. Then the Excimer laser light will be applied to the affected area at your determined dose. Depending on the areas to be treated, this only takes a few minutes.

For patients with small eczema patches, this laser allows for quick, effective, and painless therapy, typically in four to eight sessions with many months without remission.

Narrow Band UVB Light Therapy

Phototherapy treatment for eczema can treat large areas of skin more swiftly than oral or topical medications and without their potential side effects. During phototherapy sessions, a device emits rays of narrow band UVB light that targets the area of the body being treated. A session takes minutes, and patients can receive treatment several times a week.

By eliminating harmful UV wavelengths, this technology allows higher intensities and longer exposures so patients can receive maximum beneficial results from phototherapy.

It is a well-established therapy with an impressive history of success on thousands of patients.

Prescription Medication

Ordinary creams and lotions for dry skin not only may not help, they could also aggravate eczema if an ingredient triggers an adverse reaction. That is why it is important to have your CSI dermatologist prescribe specially formulated emollients and cleansers to rebalance, calm, enrich and protect your skin.

We can also work with you to suggest lifestyle changes to eliminate or reduce your exposure to possible irritants that may potentially trigger eczema outbreaks.

If necessary, we can also prescribe topical or oral corticosteroids. These are a form of steroids; corticosteroids work by decreasing inflammation and quelling the immune response. However, like most medications, it can have side effects that your dermatologist will review with you.

We can also prescribe non-steroidal options for eczema to provide effective treatment alternatives for patients who need to manage flare-ups without relying on corticosteroids. These medications, such as Dupixent® (dupilumab) or Rinvoq® (upadacitinib), among others, target specific parts of the immune system and inflammatory pathways involved in eczema, reducing symptoms while minimizing long-term side effects.

While eczema can’t be cured at present, with the California Skin Institute’s expert care, your eczema can be diagnosed, analyzed, and treated to significantly reduce symptoms and help you live your best life possible. Call today for an appointment.

[1] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/2819233