Eczema

What is eczema?

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic skin condition that affects more than 10% of American children and adults today. The hallmark symptom of eczema is an itchy rash. Eczema usually develops in childhood, but about one-fourth of eczema cases start in adulthood.

Experts believe that genetics, your immune system, climate, and daily environmental exposure may all play a role in the development of eczema. It's a complex condition that doesn't have one single cause. 

What symptoms can eczema cause?

Eczema can trigger a number of different symptoms, with common skin problems including:

• Itchy rash
• Dry skin
• Red skin
• Thickened skin
• Skin cracking
• Skin oozing

Certain things may trigger eczema flare-ups or make your symptoms worse, including temperature extremes, stress, food allergens, heavy exercise, environmental allergens, and chemicals in soaps and detergents. 

An eczema rash may look similar to other rashes, including allergic reactions, chickenpox, and poison ivy. If you think you might have eczema, the Akachi Primary and Urgent Care team can evaluate your rash and make a diagnosis. 

How is eczema diagnosed?

The Akachi Primary and Urgent Care team can diagnose eczema during walk-in visits and physicals. They examine your skin and discuss your symptoms with you. In some cases, the team may need to test skin scrapings or fluid to determine your diagnosis. 

How is eczema treated?

Eczema treatment requires a joint effort between you and the Akachi Primary and Urgent Care team. 

Trigger management is extremely important for people with eczema, so you may need to make some changes to avoid certain things. This can be as simple as swapping harsh detergents and soaps for mild ones, limiting your time outdoors when it's very hot or cold, or using a high-quality cream or lotion to lock in skin moisture. 

The team may prescribe topical creams, oral medications, light therapy, or, in severe cases of treatment-resistant eczema, biologic injections. They may also teach you new techniques for eczema care at home, such as wet dressings, in which you apply topical medications and wrap the eczema rash with wet bandages.

Every case of eczema requires its own approach to treatment, and the Akachi Primary and Urgent Care team is happy to tailor a treatment regimen to give you the best results. Schedule your appointment by phone or through the online scheduler now.