What's New in Eczema(Atopic Dermatitis)&Psoriasis-a Memphis Dermatologist's View

from Board-Certified Dermatologist George Woodbury Jr. M.D. 01/12/2022

The Fall and Winter can be miserably itchy times of year for people with Psoriasis and Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis), but this doesn’t have to be! There are over 13,700 United States Dermatologists, ready to find solutions for you. So let’s take a quick look at some of the common causes of winter itch, and newer treatment options, from my perspective of Board-certified Cordova Dermatologist since 1993.

Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis, sometimes also called “winter itch,” is a very common cause of itching and rashes, often starting in childhood or adulthood and affecting up to about 10% of the entire population. Flares of eczema can be triggered by dryness, so moisturizers do tend to help. If your rash is spreading or worsening,Dermatologists often use prescription steroid creams and ointments, or sometimes steroid-free products like Atopiclair® or Eucrisa® Ointment, or injectable Dupixent®. In 2022, we also now have a promising new steroid-free ointment - Opzelura® - ruxolitinib – affecting signaling cytokine chemicals - JAK inhibitors.

Some flares of eczema are actually triggered by an allergy to a chemical that’s come in contact with your skin: Contact Dermatitis. Common culprits include certain preservatives, fragrances, components of latex, metals like nickel, and dyes. Since 2004, as a member of the American Contact Dermatitis Society, I’ve offered Extended Allergy Patch Testing at Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, Cordova, TN (www.Rheumderm.com), because at times we can cure the itching by identifying a relevant chemical allergy.

Psoriasis is also a common cause of itching, affecting up to 3% of Americans, now known to be a genetic autoimmune condition that can go hand-in-hand with patterns of Arthritis: Psoriatic Arthritis. 2022 has brought over a dozen effective injectable medications including Cosentyx®, Humira®, Enbrel®, and Remicade®, to join our traditional prescription steroid creams and ointments.

There are many other causes of skin itching, including dozens of different skin conditions, such as lichen planus, seborrheic dermatitis, and even acne, so if you or a family member has been suffering, consider seeing a Dermatologist today. My own Dermatology practice is with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates (www.Rheumderm.com), 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018 (1-901-753-0168). Or you can find a Dermatologist closer to you by going to the American Academy of Dermatology web site, AAD.org, then plugging your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist” tab.

Of note, I am also President of Big River Silk Skincare Inc., a company that manufactures and distributes exfoliating moisturizers and cleansers to counteract skin aging from the sun, helping people to find hypoallergenic skincare creams(SCIENCE SIMPLIFYING SKINCARE™). Check out our GlycoShea Creams, with anti-wrinkle Glycolic Acid, and our HypoShea Moisturizer Cream. (www.Bigriversilkskincare.com).