Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis )- what is it and where is the rash appearing?

eczema

eczemaWhere do atopic dermatitis (eczema ) symptoms appear :

 

Small children :

Eczema usually appears on the face, elbows or knees.

In older children :

The rash usually appears on the face and neck , shoulder girdle, hands and in the flexures  ( behind the knees , inside the elbows)

 

Severity grading :

 

Mild: mostly dry skin , redness and scaling

Moderate: Moderate redness, some scales, papules (solid raised lesion less than 1cm in diameter )and scratch marks (excoriations)

Severe : severe redness, thickened skin , multiple papules and multiple scratch marks (excoriations)

Available treatments:

 

Moisturisers, topical steroids and non steroid medications (Topical calcineurin inhibitor) TCI’s .
Applying emollients (eg epimax)approximately 4 x a day can help prevent the skin from drying and can be enough to control some cases of atopic dermatitis.

Topical steroids are not intended for log term use and can cause skin thinning. They should be avoided in sensitive areas such as the face , neck and skin folds .

 

TCI’s – topical calcineurin inhibitors help to calm the redness and itching and can be used in children from the age of 2 years. These creams are used at the very first sign of a flare  and intermittently to give you more flare free time and better eczema control .

They deliver rapid itch relief as early as 48 hours.

 

Eczema Do’s and Dont’s

DO :

Avoid extreme / rapid changes in temperature

Use emollients as part of your skin care regimen

Gently pat the skin dry don’t rub

Keep fingernails short to prevent breaking the skin when scratching

 

DONT:

Take long hot baths/ showers

Use bubblebaths or fragranced cleansers