What’s New In Treatment of Eczema&Keratosis Pilaris 09/23/2019

One of the more common problems faced by Dermatologists like me is what is called “eczema,” also called “atopic dermatitis.” This a type of dry, rough, and often itchy skin condition that can occur on the arms, legs, body, face, and scalp, and it can start in either childhood or adulthood. Some patients with eczema also have a condition that Dermatologists call keratosis pilaris, in which protein is retained by the skin, rather than released through a natural process called exfoliation.

Eczema can be genetic –meaning that it runs in certain families, along with asthma, hay fever of food allergies. Flares of eczema can also be triggered by low oil level in the skin – or even by a true allergy. These skin allergies can affect all ages, from kids to adults.

Up to 40% of people with episodes of eczema are actually allergic to a preservative, fragrance, dye, or component of latex – and sometimes a type of allergy testing offered by Dermatologists like me – called allergy patch testing – can help to uncover the culprit chemical. I am a member of the American Contact Dermatitis Society, an 1100-member organization of Dermatologists who offer this type of skin allergy testing.

Most Dermatologists start to treat this painful, dry, or itchy condition either with a prescription steroid cream or ointment – such as Clobetasol, Halobetasol, Betamethasone dipropionate, or Dilforasone diacetate – or else with steroid-free products, such as Eucrisa Ointment (crisaborole).

So if you or a family member is suffering from itching, dryness, or rough areas of the face, body, hands (or feet), consider seeing a Dermatologist. My own Dermatology practice is in Cordova, TN. And there are over 13,000 Dermatologists in the United States. You could find one of us close to you by going to the American Academy of Dermatology’s website, AAD.org, then choosing the Public tab, then plugging in your zip code. A list of members of the American Academy of Dermatology in your own geographic area will come up.

Myself (George Woodbury Jr. M.D.) in my office at 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova, TN 38018 .

Sometimes Dermatologists like me also put eczema patients onto oral steroids, or we use a steroid shot, or even start a series of injections called Dupixent® injections, to help with the rash and itching. We also consider one of several systemic medications such as cyclosporine, for severe cases, because when anyone in the family can't sleep due to itching, no one is happy!

in 2016, I became the President of a company called Big River Silk Skincare™ Inc. (www.Bigriversilkskincare.com), to help people with dry skin conditions. Our company logo is SCIENCE SIMPLIFYING SKINCARE™. I come from a family of four Dermatologists going back over more than 50 years of practicing Dermatology, including my two brothes and Dr. Linda Woodbury, my mother, a Board-certified Dermatologist since 1965. We with Big River Silk Skincare, we're well equipped to help people with dry skin.

We manufacture and distribute several steroid-free moisturizer creams – including GlycoShea™ Hand&Body Cream/Standard Strength; GlycoShea™, Hand&Body Cream/High Strength, and GlycoShea Facial&Neck Cream – which both reduce dryness and roughness, and also remove rough areas of the skin because of their Glycolic Acid ingredient, an organic and natural chemical originally discovered in sugarcane (1 oz of GlycoShea Hand&Body Cream/Standard Strength: $19.95/2 oz: $29.95; 8 oz: $89.95; 1 oz of GlycoShea Hand&Body Cream/High Strength: $29.95/2 oz; $44.95/8 oz: $134.95; 1 oz GlycoShea Facial&Neck Cream: $39.95/2 oz GlycoShea Facial&Neck Cream: $59.95; 8 oz GlycoShea Facial&Neck Cream: $179.95).

Big River Silk Skincare Inc. exhibited the company's organic and natural moisturizers and cleansers at the Southern Women's Show, at the Agricenter, in Cordova, Tennessee, in March.

The GlycoShea Creams can be picked up at the counter at 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova, Tennessee 38018, Monday-Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. And we do offer free USPS shipping for orders over $40.00 ordered by phone to 1-901-753-0168, or at www.Bigriversilkskincare.com (otherwise shipping&handling is $5.00).

The moral of the story is “never itch in silence:” there is much new therapy to help with the itching and dryness of eczema. Consider getting evaluated by a Board-certified Dermatologist today.

George Woodbury Jr. M.D. , Dermatologist with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates PC, 8143 Walnut Grove Road, CordovaR TN 38018. 1-901-753-0168 Info@rheumderm.com.

George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (09/23/2019)