Eczema Specialist
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Skinworks Dermatology
Dermatology located in Maspeth, NY, Park Slope, NY & New York, NY
With the right medical care and treatments, you can effectively manage your painful, itchy eczema, find relief, and prevent future flare-ups. At Skinworks Dermatology in Maspeth, Chelsea, and South Slope, Brooklyn, prestigious dermatologist and internist Javier Zelaya, MD, offers an array of quality treatments and methods to ensure you feel more comfortable in your own skin. Soothe itchy, dry, and red skin with the help of an experienced medical skin care specialist. Call the Skinworks Dermatology office or book an appointment online today.
Eczema Q & A
What is eczema?
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a skin condition that involves itchy, red skin. Eczema can occur at any age, but it’s most prevalent in children.
Eczema is typically a chronic skin condition that shows up periodically. Some people experience bothersome and regular flare-ups and others can go for many years without experiencing a flare-up.
What are the symptoms of eczema?
Eczema symptoms include:
- Dry, red, and itchy skin
- Sensitive and raw skin
- Thickened skin that has a scaly texture
- Small, raised bumps that can leak fluid or harden when scratched or irritated
- Discolored greyish-brown patches on the feet, ankles, neck, hands, wrists, and other areas
The symptoms of eczema can vary from mild to severe. Some children also develop knots under the skin.
What causes eczema?
Healthy skin protects you from external elements, such as bacteria, allergens, and other irritants. Healthy skin also helps you to retain moisture. Eczema is linked to a specific gene variation that impairs your skin’s ability to protect you and allows your skin to be affected adversely by many environmental factors.
In some circumstances, a food allergy could be the root cause of eczema. Dr. Javier Zelaya might recommend a food elimination diet or allergy testing to pinpoint allergens like soy, wheat, milk, dairy, gluten, and eggs.
Having a family history of eczema or other related conditions is a primary risk factor.
If eczema isn’t treated and managed properly, it can lead to skin infections, hay fever, asthma, and chronically itchy, irritated skin.
What are the treatments for eczema?
Dr. Zelaya diagnoses eczema with a simple skin examination and a review of your current symptoms and family history. Self-care measures and medical treatments can provide relief from pain, outbreaks, and itching.
To treat your eczema, Dr. Zelaya might recommend some of the following treatments:
- Light therapy
- Anti-itch medications
- Antibiotics to fight infection
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Topical creams to manage the itching
- Moisturizers and sunscreens to soothe skin
- Wet-dressing therapy (bandaging your skin in topical corticosteroids)
- Medical topical creams that suppress your immune system (calcineurin inhibitors)
Eczema treatment is usually centered around controlling uncomfortable symptoms and clearing scaly lesions and infection. The best treatment plan typically includes skin care products, healthy lifestyle changes, topical medications, and certain other effective treatment methods.
You could also try to find more relief at home by:
- Using a humidifier
- Taking a warm bath
- Wearing comfortable and soft clothing
- Anxiety and stress reduction techniques
- Choosing mild soaps that don’t contain dyes or perfumes
Dr. Zelaya can help you to manage your eczema. Book online or call the office to schedule your consultation.
