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Eczema

Board-certified eczema treatment in Westerville and Gahanna at the Center for Surgical Dermatology & Dermatology Associates

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Eczema

Board-certified eczema treatment in Westerville and Gahanna at the Center for Surgical Dermatology & Dermatology Associates

Eczema

What is Eczema?

Are you constantly trying to figure out how to overcome – or simply manage – your eczema symptoms? No doubt, the dry, itchy patches and flaky skin that eczema causes can be frustrating and often debilitating, as it may interfere with your daily life. 

If you’re ready to find an effective eczema treatment plan that helps you experience relief, the board-certified dermatologists at the Center for Surgical Dermatology & Dermatology Associates are here to help. 

Eczema is a chronic skin condition that typically causes patches of dry, itchy, irritated skin that may be flaky or scaly. This skin condition can affect anyone at any age, and it can show up on any part of the body. 

In extreme cases, eczema can cover the majority of the body in rough, dry, irritating patches, which causes debilitating discomfort and itchiness that can negatively impact everything from sleep quality to the ability to concentrate.

Dry cracked skin macro closeup of index finger of female young woman's hand showing eczema medical condition called dyshidrotic pompholyx or vesicular dyshidrosis
QUESTIONS

Eczema FAQs

Review answers to some of the most common questions about eczema below, and contact our office in Westerville, Ohio, for a personalized treatment plan to manage your eczema flare-ups.

While the exact cause of eczema is still unknown, experts believe this common skin condition is caused by a combination of environmental triggers and genetics. 

According to the National Eczema Association, many people with eczema tend to have an immune system that overreacts when triggered by a substance outside or inside the body. This triggering stimulates inflammation, which is what causes the red, dry, itchy patches and uncomfortable skin symptoms eczema is characterized by. 

An alternative theory on what causes eczema is that some people with this skin condition have a gene mutation that affects filaggrin production. Filaggrin is crucial for maintaining a healthy skin barrier, and without enough filaggrin, moisture can escape, and bacteria, viruses and other harmful invaders can enter. This is why many people with eczema have very dry and infection-prone skin.

The most common symptom of eczema is itchiness. However, it can also show up as:

  • Dry, sensitive skin
  • Inflamed, discolored skin
  • Rough, leathery or scaly patches of skin
  • Oozing or crusting
  • Areas of swelling

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, we recommend visiting a board-certified dermatologist for a professional skin evaluation and eczema diagnosis. With an experienced dermatologist by your side, you’ll have a better chance of mitigating your eczema symptoms and reducing the frequency of flare-ups.

Eczema can appear anywhere on the body. However, the most common places eczema shows up are the:

  • Creases of the elbows and knees
  • Around the eyes
  • Nape of the neck
  • Face
  • Hands and arms
  • Feet
  • Scalp and hairline

Eczema can sometimes cause long-term complications when left untreated. This is why it’s important to manage symptoms and alleviate flare-ups with an effective eczema treatment plan. Visit a board-certified dermatologist if you believe you may have eczema.

Yes, there are currently seven different types of eczema. This includes atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, hand eczema, neurodermatitis, nummular eczema, and stasis dermatitis. Learn more about each type of eczema by contacting the dermatologists at the Center for Surgical Dermatology in Westerville today.

No, eczema is not contagious, and you cannot get it from someone who has it.

While eczema and psoriasis are both chronic skin conditions and cause similar symptoms (dry, red, itchy patches of skin), they have slight differences that may help you distinguish between the two.

  • Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that causes skin cells to grow too fast. This means that psoriasis patches are often thicker and potentially raised. Additionally, psoriasis tends to be more tolerable than eczema.
  • Compared to psoriasis, eczema patches can be unbearably itchy and may ooze and crust over when scratched. Psoriasis patches rarely ooze.

Furthermore, eczema and psoriasis are caused by different things. As mentioned above, eczema is thought to be caused by a combination of environmental factors and genetics. Psoriasis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune skin disorder.

The best treatment for your eczema depends on the severity and frequency of your flare-ups, as well as what type of eczema you have. At the Center for Surgical Dermatology, our board-certified dermatologists typically use a combination of prescription treatments and lifestyle changes to help our patients better manage and alleviate their eczema symptoms. 

Common treatments for eczema include:

  • Antihistamines for itching.
  • Antibiotics for infections.
  • Injections or oral medication to suppress a hypersensitive immune system.
  • Light therapy.
  • Topical skin creams.
  • Lifestyle recommendations.

We want you to feel comfortable and confident in the skin you’re in. Schedule an appointment with the expert dermatologists at the Center for Surgical Dermatology today to learn more about the eczema treatments we offer at our Westerville clinic.

Photos

Eczema Photos

Not sure what eczema looks like or how it can appear on the skin? Use the eczema photos below to get a better idea of where eczema typically shows up and what it might look like on your skin.

Man Scratch Oneself, Dry Flaky Skin On Hand With Psoriasis Vulgaris, Eczema And Other Skin Conditions Like Fungus, Plaque, Rash And Patches. Autoimmune Genetic Disease.
Dry Cracked Skin Macro Closeup Of Index Finger Of Female Young Woman's Hand Showing Eczema Medical Condition Called Dyshidrotic Pompholyx Or Vesicular Dyshidrosis
Psoriasis On A Middle0age Man's Knees
Eczema On A Man's Face
CONTACT

Find Relief with Board-Certified Eczema Treatment in Westerville, OH

Are you ready to better manage your eczema symptoms with a board-certified treatment plan? The experienced dermatologists at the Center for Surgical Dermatology & Dermatology Associates are here to help! Contact us today by calling (614) 847-4100 or request an appointment online. We’ll help you determine whether eczema is the cause of your symptoms and what can be done to improve them.

Contact Us Today

Have questions or concerns? Please give us a call at 614.847.4100.

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