Treating Excema with Steroids

Treating Excema with Steroids

Treatment with steroid-based corticosteroids can mean relief from the constant itching and accompanying red, scaly skin patches of eczema.

Yet, many patients and their families are fearful of using steroids due to potential side effects associated with the medications. This fear, or “steroid-phobia,” among patients can be lessened by working with a dermatologist who is trained in prescribing these medications, can monitor patients closely, and knows how to incorporate creative treatment strategies to minimize side effects.

Eczema, a chronic disease in which the skin becomes itchy and inflamed, affects about 15 million Americans. One of the most common forms of eczema is atopic dermatitis, or AD, which can occur on just about any body part. AD takes a physical and emotional toll because it can be painful and physically unattractive, causing skin redness, swelling, cracking, weeping, and scaling.

The majority of patients have a “mild” form of the disease, meaning the AD affects less than 20 percent of the body surface area. Still, left untreated, even the mild form can result in itching and rashes that become a significant and visible reminder of the disease. For people whose AD affects more than 20 percent of their bodies, the disease can be a physically painful problem.

Definition of Excema

Definition of Excema

Eczema is a skin condition caused by inflammation. Atopic dermatitis is the most common of the many types of eczema. While the word "dermatitis" means inflammation of the skin, "atopic" refers to an allergic tendency, which is often inherited. These eczema sufferers have a higher risk of developing other allergic conditions (like asthma or hay fever).

Typically, eczema causes skin to become itchy, red, and dry -- even cracked and leathery. Eczema most frequently appears on the face and extremities, but it can show up in other areas, too.

Eczema is a chronic problem for many people. It is most common among infants, many of whom outgrow it before school age.