Eczema Atopic Dermatitis Treatment New Rescue Therapy from a Memphis Dermatologist

by George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (03/17/2024)

Eczema is also called Atopic Dermatitis — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with an Eczema patient

One of the most common skin conditions worldwide is what Dermatologists call Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema. Often also called Fall Itch or Winter Itch, it can occur in all seasons. Let’ take a look at what’s new in Eczema Treatment, my perspective being that of a Memphis Dermatologist for the last 32 years.

Dermatologists often use systemic steroids to bring Eczema in crisis under control — Facial Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis in crisis is very itchy and often sore

So, just what is eczema or atopic dermatitis?

It’s an itchy, dry skin condition that tends to develop in childhood but can also surface in adulthood. It tends to favor the arms, legs, neck, and face, but it can occur anywhere. The rash and itching of Eczema can certainly make people miserable, but the good news is that increasingly effective Eczema Treatment is now available.

The first step with a rash or skin eruption is to consider seeing a healthcare provider, a doctor, or a Board-certified Dermatologist.

Seborrheic Dermatitis is often itchy and dry — Patient with a type of facial Eczema called Seborrheic Dermatitis

As a practicing Memphis Dermatologist for over 30 years, I’ll often talk with patients about doing a skin test called a skin biopsy or excision – particularly if the condition could be Contact Dermatitis. Sometimes, we also consider what’s called Allergy Testing or Allergy Patch Testing to check for chemicals that one could be allergic to – which could cause flares of itching or rash.

Allergy Patch Testing involves the evaluation of skin reactions to common preservatives, fragrances, components of latex, and metals. Identifying chemical triggers can lead to effective ways of avoiding these trigger factors. For more, check out a short YouTube video sponsored by my Memphis Dermatology practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43QFMJ7TrcQ&t=131s

Dr. Woodbury is a Cordova Dermatologist — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury

Special dry or itchy conditions similar to Eczema include Dyshidrotic Dermatitis, a type of Hand Eczema often triggered by dryness and often requiring systemic or oral steroids to achieve clearance; Perioral Dermatitis, a type of overlap of Acne and Eczema that often requires careful treatment with a combination of less greasy topical steroid creams with oral Retinoid cream or gel; Nummular Eczema, a condition with coin-shaped often itchy lesions on the legs and arms that’s probably genetic – meaning it runs in certain families; and Hand Eczema, often triggered by frequent washing and contact with chemicals that irritated the skin due to dryness.

Hand Eczema can be triggered by Contact Dermatitis — Hand Eczema is often also called Hand Dermatitis

Many Board-certified Dermatologists like myself design Eczema Treatment to include prescription topical steroid creams and ointments, often giving quick relief from itching and burning. (The word “topical” means a medicine that’s applied “on top of” the skin.) Other options include steroid-free products called Protopic® Ointment (tacrolimus), Elidel® Cream (pimecrolimus), and a promising agent called Eucrisa® Ointment (crisaborole).

For severe cases of Eczema, Dermatologists sometimes consider a short course of oral steroid tablets, called prednisone, or a steroid shot. These can give patients much more prompt relief from their symptoms or rashes. For more: https://www.Rheumderm.com/eczema-atopic-dermatitis.

Eczema can have similar features to Psoriasis — Ezema vs. Psoriasis is often a judgement of the Board-certified Dermatologist

Promising new therapies for eczema include Dupixent® or sarilumab monoclonal antibody injections and two new oral tablets – what are called non-steroidal JAK-1 inhibitors – Upadacitnib (Rinvoq®) and Abrocitinib (Cibinqo®). We also have a new prescription JAK inhibitor cream for Ezema-Opzelua (Ruxolitinib). We generally monitor these treatments with bloodwork, TB testing, and sometimes Chest X-rays.

Organic Skincare promotes skin wellness — Dr. George Woodbury with staff of Big River Silk Skincare

It’s important to try to correct the environmental problems that promote eczema flares: use of overly drying soaps or failure to use skin lubricants or moisturizers. Dermatologists often recommend that patients with Eczema Treatment stay with fragrance-free cleansers or soaps, such as Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser and AmberSoy™ Soap Gel, both of which are available through Big River Silk Skincare, a company of which I’m the President (www.Bigriversilkskincare.com).

AmberSoy Soap Gel is a soft glycerine cleanser — AmberSoy Soap Gel is well-suited for Acne cleanser and Perioral Dermatitis

Moisturizers are also known to be helpful for people prone to Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema. Options include Lubriderm®, Moisturel®, Aveeno®, and the remarkable steroid-free topical HypoShea™ Moisturizer Lotion, a product of Big River Silk Skincare Inc., for which I serve as the President (1-901-753-0168; https://www.Bigriversilkskincare.com). HypoShea Moisturizer Lotion is often helpful because it’s fragrance-free, with no dyes, no formaldehyde, and no parabens, being derived from Refined Shea Butter, acting as Rejuvenation Cream because of its nongreasy blend or emulsion with some of the purest natural water in the United States, from the Memphis Sands.

HypoShea Moisturizer Lotion is fragrance-free moisturizer — HypoShea Moisturizer Lotion is Refined Shea Butter

So, if you have an undiagnosed rash that’s been stubborn, consider seeing a Board-certified Dermatologist. My own Memphis Dermatology practice is with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates in Cordova, TN, or you can find a Dermatologist closer to you or a "Dermatologist Near Me" or "Dermatologists Near Me" or "Best Dermatologist Near Me" by going to the American Academy of Dermatology website, AAD.org, then plugging your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist” tab. Never itch in silence!