New Eczema Treatment: Atopic Dermatitis Treatment from a Memphis Dermatologist

George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (08/22/2023)

Dr. Woodbury believes in team-bsaed care to help patients to heal — Nurse Kristen and Dr. George Woodbury welcome you to Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates Cordova TN

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’s take a look at what’s new in Eczema Treatment, my perspective being that of a Memphis Dermatologist for the last 31 years.

Topical Steroid Creams and Steroid-free Ointments tend to help eczema — Person with Hand Dermatitis or Hand Eczema applying steroid cream

So what is Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis? It’s an itchy, dry skin condition that tends to develop in childhood, but it 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 Therapy is now available.

Eczema Treatment involves team-work between Dermatologist and Patient — Dr. George Woodbury Memphis Dermatologist counsels a patient with Eczema

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

Itching and rash are common symptoms of Eczema — Eczema can certainly affect the face and neck

As a practicing Dermatologist for the last 33 years, Eczema Treatment can start with considering doing a test called a skin biopsy or excision – particularly if the diagnosis is in doubt. We also consider checking for chemicals that one could be allergic to – causing flares on the condition – through what’s called Allergy Patch Testing – a type of Skin Allergy Testing involving coming into the office three times in one week – to be checked for skin reactions to common preservatives, fragrances, components of latex, and metals. Identifying chemical triggers can lead to effective ways of avoiding these trigger factors.

Prescripltion shampoos and scalp lotions can help heal scalp eczema. — Eczema can affecte the scalp and neck with dandruff and itching

Many new therapies help to quell the itching of Eczema — Dr. Woodbury reviews an Eczema Treatment with a patient

Dermatologists customize steroid treatment to the severity of the rash and itching — Eczema relief comes from use of prescription steroid creams and ointment

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).

Ointment are more greasy but tend to be more potent. — Steroid creams and ointments help to quell the itch of Eczema

We also 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 rash. For more: https://www.Rheumderm.com/eczema-atopic-dermatitis.

Systemic treatment can include tablets or injections. — Creams sometimes help Eczema - but sometimes systemic treatment is needed

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

GlycoShea Lotion contains Alpha Hydroxy Acid Glycolic Acid — Dr. Woodbury with Antiwrinkle Cream GlycoShea Lotion

It’s quite important to try to correct the environmental problems that promote flares of eczema: use of overly drying soaps or failure to use skin lubricants or moisturizers:

We tend to recommend fragrance-free soaps, such as Cetaphil® Cleanser or Dove® for Sensitive Skin Soap. Another option is a soap that’s available from Big River Silk Skincare™ Inc., a company of which I’m the President, is a cleanser called AmberSoy™ Soap Gel (www.Bigriversilkskinare.com).

Glycolic Acid has a skin-smoothing property du to its action on the Epidermis — GlycoShea Hand&Body Lotion contains Glycolic Acid Antiwrinkle Cream

Shea blrended with Glycolic Acid makes a Best Face Cream — GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion has Refined Shea Butter

Helpful options for skin lubricants or moisturizers include Lubriderm®, Moisturel®, Aveeno®, and several new moisturizers: GlycoShea™ Hand&Body Cream, GlycoShea Hand&Body Lotion, GlycoShea Facial&Neck Cream, and GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion, all available from Big River Silk Skincare Inc. (1-901-753-0168; https://www.Bigriversilkskincare.com). The GlycoShea products tend to be helpful because they’re fragrance-free, with no dyes, no formaldehyde, and no parabens, being derived from Refinded Shea Butter, acting as Antiwrinkle Cream because of their Alpha Hydroxy Acid Glycolic Acid.

Creams tend to be richer and more lubiricating than lotions. — GlycoShea Facial&Neck Cream has a more moisturizing nature

Dr. Woodbury is President of Big River Silk Skincare — Dr. George Woodbury with staff of Big River Silk Skincare

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 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!