I was compensated by Med-IQ through an educational grant from Pfizer, Inc. to write about the signs, symptoms, and treatments available for eczema/atopic dermatitis in communities of color. All opinions are my own.
Atopic Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is common in the United States, and it’s so important to stay informed if you or your family is affected by it. In case you missed my previous blog post on 5 Q&A’s About Eczema, Signs & Symptoms you can check it out here. Today, I am going to be explaining different treatments for atopic eczema along with how to best prepare for a telemedicine visit. I decided to partner with Med-IQ because I get many messages from moms who share with me how their little ones suffer from eczema especially during the winter months. Also, did you know that the lack of vitamin D from the sun in the winter could play a role in intensifying atopic eczema symptoms for some patients? As a content creator, my goal is to inform, inspire and empower families in any way possible. I truly believe you will find this information useful, and if you have questions you can always leave a comment below in this blog post.
Now, I will be outlining some treatment options.
- Gentle skin care treatments.
Making sure to use soaps and cleansers that contain ZERO preservatives and that are oil-based. Also make sure to moisturize the skin.
- Avoid possible irritants and allergens that can trigger flare-ups.
This strategy can be challenging, but some triggers may include fragrances, wool/course fabric, certain foods such as dairy products, or extreme weather temperatures. It’s important to speak to your healthcare provider about identifying triggers and allergy testing may be needed.
- Topical Therapies
If you suffer with mild or moderate atopic dermatitis, short-term use of topical corticosteroids is the next step on the treatment ladder. Long-term use of these therapies is not recommended since there’s an increased risk of side effects.
Corticosteroid-sparing therapies can be used long-term if basic management strategies do not provide relief. These include crisaborole (Eucrisa®), topical calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus ointment (Protopic®) and pimecrolimus cream (Elidel®), and generic options.
- Systemic Therapies
If you suffer with more severe atopic dermatitis, nonspecific immunosuppressants may be prescribed. However due to the side effects these therapies are limited. But new systemic agents are in development that target the underlying causes of atopic dermatitis, including the factors that cause inflammation and itch. Systemic therapies may also be enhanced by adding on topical medications.
It’s very important to seek care from a skin care provider. If treatments are not working, a change may be needed. Consider seeking help from a dermatologist, pediatric dermatologist, or eczema specialist.
Now I will be explaining a little bit about telemedicine and the impact of COVID-19. Telemedicine is an effective, alternative way to ensure you make your visits. I am a big fan of telemedicine, and have made several appointments for my kids with their pediatrician. To optimize your appointment make sure your insurance provider covers telemedicine appointments. You can take photos of the condition prior to your visit and send the images to your doctor in advance. This will provide higher resolution in photos versus video. Make sure you have your medications nearby. Ensure you have a quiet place that has Internet access. Lighting is crucial during these visits, make sure if you’re near a window, the light should be facing you and not at your back. Also, make sure to bring your cleansing and moisturizing routines.
- To find a doctor who treats skin of color, patients can check out the Skin of Color Society or American Academy of Dermatology website and search for areas of specialization, including skin of color.
I also want to leave you with these important resources:
- National Eczema Association
- Eczema treatments: https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/
- Eczema in skin of color: https://nationaleczema.org/eczema-in-skin-of-color/
- Telemedicine and Teledermatology
- Preparing for a telemedicine visit:
- Photographing your skin for a teledermatology appointment:
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 us 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 and to send a follow-up survey as part of this same initiative.
Links to external sites are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. They are not intended and should not be construed as legal or medical advice, nor are they endorsements of any organization. Med-IQ bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of any external site. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
You can also listen to Jeannette Kaplun’s Facebook Live interview with Dr. Alexis to learn more on how to treat eczema in skin of color, including the latest treatment alternatives and how to best utilize telemedicine to access a skin care professional. Check it out: link.
