Eczema treatment service

Eczema is a prevalent skin ailment that affects people of all ages. In Ireland, up to 1 in 5 children and 1 in 10 adults suffer with eczema. Eczema comes in numerous forms, but the most prevalent is "atopic" eczema, which implies that the body is extremely sensitive to irritants once they reach the skin.

Atopic eczema is a chronic (long-term) inflammatory skin disorder that is not contagious. Your skin barrier function (which stops water loss and protects against allergens and irritants) is damaged or decreased if you have atopic eczema. This causes the skin to dry out, making it more susceptible to bacterial and viral diseases.

While the actual aetiology is unknown, some factors are thought to play a role in its development, including a genetic propensity to have a weaker skin barrier, as well as altered inflammatory and allergic reactions. The most common onset of atopic eczema is in childhood, but it can also appear in maturity. Atopic eczema can run in families and often coexists with other atopic disorders such as hay fever and asthma.

While there is currently no cure for eczema, there are therapies available to help control the condition.

Irritators, allergies, stress, and illness are all common eczema triggers. Soap, bubble bath, shampoo, laundry detergents, scents, clothing that feels 'itchy' next to the skin (e.g. wool), temperature changes, or allergens like animal dander, home dust mites, or pollen are the most common irritants, but there are situations when no reason can be determined. Eczema is made worse by infection because atopic skin is susceptible to infection.

Eczema is characterised by dry, itchy, inflamed, red, or irritated skin patches. These patches can appear on the cheeks, arms and elbow creases, the back of the knees, and the hands, among other places. Blisters or fluid oozing from the skin are common occurrences. Eczema can cause the skin to harden or thicken if it is left untreated for a long time. Eczema itch can be very strong and interfere with sleep, but it can also lead to infection if scratched frequently.

The goal of eczema treatment is to strengthen the skin's protective barrier function while also reducing the inflammation that produces symptoms. The most effective strategy to manage eczema is to utilise items that retain moisture in the skin (also known as emollients) and increase the skin's protective function. When eczema flares up, topical steroid ointments/creams are used to reduce inflammation.

You can try a variety of methods to control your eczema without using medication. These include the following:

• As much as feasible, use a fragrance-free moisturiser, such as Silcock's base or emulsifying ointments. These are great, however in an extreme flare, you'll need to use them 4 to 6 times per day.
• In your washing machine, use sensitive skin detergents.
• As much as possible, dress in cotton.
• Completely avoid soaps, shower gels, and bubble baths.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Regularly moisturise your skin.

If you need medicine, you may need a variety of steroid ointments/creams to manage your symptoms. Ointments are favoured because they are easier to apply and last longer. This service provides a variety of steroid ointments and creams, including:

• Hydrocortisone ointment/cream
• Alphaderm ointment/cream
• Locoid Lipocream
• Eumovate steroid ointment/cream
• Betnovate steroid ointment/cream
• Xyzal antihistamine tablets for itch.

Please note that this service does not provide Protopic (tacrolimus) cream. This service does not offer any products containing tretinoin in any strength or dosage. Tretinoin-containing products are not available through this service since they are not licenced in Ireland.

Eczema is a long-term disorder that can flare up at any time, even if you follow all of the recommended treatments. People with stable or managed eczema who consult a skin expert or their own GP on a regular basis can use the programme. If your eczema is growing worse or you have any new symptoms that you didn't have before, we strongly suggest you to see your doctor right away. Please schedule a video consultation if you'd like to chat with a doctor through our service.