I was compensated by Med-IQ through an educational grant from Sanofi Genzyme and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to write about the signs, symptoms, and treatments available for atopic dermatitis or eczema. All opinions are my own.
My Experience with Eczema
As someone who suffers from eczema, it is important for me to not only be on top of the newest information and treatment options about atopic dermatitis/eczema but also help bring awareness and educate others on the topic as well, especially since more than 31 million Americans have some form of eczema. And did you also know that:
o 10% to 25% of children have atopic dermatitis; of which, approximately one-third have moderate-to-severe disease
o Atopic dermatitis is most commonly associated with other allergic/atopic conditions such as allergy, asthma, hay fever, and food allergies
o Atopic dermatitis is also associated with several mental health conditions, including ADHD, anxiety, and depression
That’s why I decided to partner with Med-IQ this year. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Med-IQ is an accredited medical education company that provides an exceptional educational experience for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals. If you’d like to read my first blog post “Eczema: Everything you Need to Know About This Dermatologic Condition” where I discuss what eczema is and what causes it, please click here. This blog will feature more on treatment options so you can take control of your atopic dermatitis!
I have suffered from mild to moderate eczema since my 20’s, and even though I have used dermatologist-prescribed steroid medication in the past, I now typically only need over-the-counter topical treatment. During my first flare up in my first year of graduate school, I had dry, itchy spots on my legs, arms, and face. Back then we didn’t have smart phones with editing capabilities, so I have numerous photos during that year with big red circles all over my face. It wasn’t flattering and I remember feeling self-conscious all the time – especially since my Master’s was in Television Broadcast Journalism and I was in front of a camera 90% of the time in the spotlight. The focus was always on my face and my appearance and after going to multiple dermatologists and trying various medications and steroid creams, nothing seemed to help. Somehow, after about a year, and moving to a completely different climate (Upstate New York to Southern California) did the trick. And then I didn’t have another flare up until about 15 years later after my second pregnancy.
Interestingly enough, the first time I experienced atopic dermatitis all those years ago, seemed to be triggered by the extreme cold weather, but then the second time I remember it flaring up in only my fingers during the hot, dry summer. And interestingly enough, the lack of vitamin D from the sun in the winter months can also play a role in exacerbating eczema symptoms for some individuals.
That being said, the second time around I struggled for years trying to find the right treatment to get rid of my flare ups. I tried various steroid and other prescription medication, but it didn’t help much. Then I tried multiple over the counter topical treatments and nothing seemed to do the trick, so I went about a year or two suffering from mild to severe flare ups. Sometimes it would get so bad I would lose sleep because the constant itching would keep me up all night and my fingers would be so dry, I had band-aids on almost all of my fingers with ointment to try and stop my skin from opening up. My fingers were inflamed and swollen and I had to stop wearing my wedding rings. I couldn’t give my kids a bath or do the dishes without gloves because the hot water only made it worse. It was miserable. But then finally, I found an over the counter topical eczema cream that worked and honestly, since I’ve been using it, I haven’t had a flare up since!! I call it my miracle cream.
Whether you are suffering from mild, moderate, or severe atopic dermatitis, seek professional guidance and don’t settle if it’s not resolving. Seek a second opinion and try multiple treatment options until you find the one that will help you. There is a new and effective option available, especially for more severe atopic dermatitis,
Treatment Options
When treating atopic dermatitis, it is recommended to start slowly to see what works or doesn’t work, then add on stronger layers of treatment from there.
Basic Skin Care
Use soaps and cleansers that are oil-based, do not contain preservatives, and moisturize the skin. Identify and avoid possible irritants and allergens that can trigger or aggravate disease flare ups. Common triggers may include fragrances, wool or coarse fabrics that can be irritating, certain foods such as dairy products, or transitions/extremes in humidity/temperature. Identifying triggers can be difficult, so it is important to speak with your healthcare provider, as allergy testing may help identify specific triggers.
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments are intended for more mild or moderate atopic dermatitis and the next intervention to take if you are suffering at this level.
Corticosteroids
The long-term use of topical steroids is often not recommended. Corticosteroid-sparing therapies are also available if basic management strategies do not provide relief and are recommended for sensitive body sites such as the face or diaper area.
Phototherapy
This is another option if topical options don’t appear to be working. However, it can be time consuming and expensive.
Systemic Treatment
Systemic treatments are often used for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.
Nonspecific Immunosuppressants
An example of nonspecific immunosuppressants are systemic corticosteroids. However, these can cause rebound flares and multiple adverse effects with long-term use. Other immunosuppressant therapies may be prescribed, but these have not been approved by the FDA for this use and may require laboratory work.
Newer Systemic Agents
These are now available and approved by the FDA that target the underlying causes of atopic dermatitis, including the factors that cause itch and inflammation.
Dupilumab
This treatment is approved for use in patients aged 6 years and older for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis that is not controlled by topical therapies.
Conclusion
Since atopic dermatitis is chronic, it’s not whether if I’ll have another flare up again, it’s when. And my job now is to stay on top of my mental health, skincare routine, and daily habits to try and maintain the level I’m at right now and try and prevent other flare ups in the future. It also helps being in contact with my dermatologist a minimum of once a year to get a skin check up, ask questions, and learn any new available treatment options.
It’s important for patients to look for a healthcare provider who is a partner with them in their treatment journey. Look for clinicians who ask for your preferences, discuss your prior experiences, and partner with you to develop an eczema action plan.
Survey
Med-IQ is conducting an anonymous survey and would appreciate your input. The survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Survey responses are shared only in aggregate. Your responses to these survey questions will provide Med-IQ with important information about your experiences with atopic dermatitis, which will help them develop future educational initiatives. Once you’ve completed the survey, you will have the option of providing your email address to be entered into a drawing administered by SOMA Strategies to win 1 of 10 $100 VISA gift cards. If you choose to enter, your email address will be used only to randomly draw the winners and notify them of their prize.
Some of the results from the first wave of the survey reveal:
o 54% of parents say their child’s atopic dermatitis has been moderate or severe in the past 6 months
o 57% of adults say their healthcare provider hasn’t discussed the severity of their atopic dermatitis with them
o Only about one-third of survey respondents reported that their healthcare provider asked about how much topical medication they are using
o Only about one-half of parents of children with atopic dermatitis or adults with atopic dermatitis received a written eczema care plan from their healthcare provider
Resources
American Academy of Dermatology. Eczema Resource Center
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answers to questions regarding its content.
The survey contains links to external sites. Any such links are provided as a convenience and for educational
purposes only. They are not intended as medical or legal advice, nor are they endorsements of any organization.
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