Eczema

Eczema Specialist
Eczema affects up to 20% of children and 3% of adults, making it one of the most common skin conditions. It often begins as a patch of dry, red skin with an intense itch, but its severity and appearance varies from person to person. The team at Park South Medical in Bronx, New York, includes three board-certified dermatologists with the expertise you can count on to effectively relieve your eczema. If you or your child suffers from a skin condition, call the office or book an appointment online for a skin evaluation.

Eczema Q & A

Park South Medical

What is eczema?

Eczema, often called dermatitis, refers to eight types of inflammatory skin conditions. Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema. Other types include contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and hand dermatitis.

Eczema may develop for the first time in adults, but it primarily affects infants and young children. In 60% of all cases, it appears before the age of one and for some, it persists into adulthood.

What symptoms are caused by eczema?

Eczema can appear anywhere on your body and you can have more than one type at the same time. Symptoms most often occur on the face, neck, and the insides of your elbows, knees, and ankles.

The different types of eczema share two common symptoms: itching and redness. Otherwise, its appearance varies. You may have dry, red, scaly skin or skin that’s red and swollen. Some people develop a red, bumpy rash or blisters that ooze then form a scab. In some cases, eczema is painful.

What triggers eczema flare-ups?

Eczema symptoms flare up when you’re exposed to the substances that trigger your immune system. Dry skin often causes a flare-up. Other common triggers include:

  • Irritants: soaps, fabrics, skin care products, bubble bath
  • Allergens: pollen, pet hair, foods
  • Environment: heat, high or low humidity, cigarette smoke

How is eczema treated?

When over-the-counter products fail to relieve your itchy skin or rash, please don’t hesitate to contact the dermatologists at Park South Medical.

A professional assessment is important because some types of eczema are more likely to become chronic without proper treatment. As you scratch what begins as a mild itch, you can damage your skin. As the damage gradually worsens, it becomes a flare-up that’s hard to treat.

Treatment for eczema relies on multiple strategies designed to relieve your current flare-up while preventing future eruptions. In some cases, your Park South dermatologist may also recommend allergy patch testing in addition to your individualized treatment plan, which may include one or more of the following:

  • Triggers: identify triggers and create a plan to avoid them
  • Skin hydration: moisturizers regularly applied to prevent flare-ups and relieve itching
  • Cleansing care: quick showers with mild soap in cool to lukewarm water
  • Topical medications: alleviate inflammation and itching
  • Oral medications: corticosteroids to fight inflammation or itching

Don’t continue to suffer from skin irritation, call Park South Medical or schedule an appointment online for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment.