How to Cope with Eczema? Useful Tips to Know
Patients with eczema should be prepared for long-term treatment, as this disease is prone to recurrent attacks and cannot be cured immediately after occurrence. Instead, the condition can only be improved. Antihistamines can be used for treatment, which mainly serve to relieve itching. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to the living environment and habits, avoid staying up late, sleep early and rise early, and strengthen the body's constitution.
The causes of eczema are complex, and it is prone to recurrent attacks even after improvement in treatment, making it difficult to cure completely. Due to the unique clinical manifestations and locations, medication may vary from person to person. Some general principles for prevention and treatment include:
- Identifying possible triggers such as work environment, lifestyle habits, diet, hobbies, and emotional state, as well as the presence of chronic illnesses and internal organ diseases.
- Using antihistamines to relieve itching, with two drugs used alternately or in combination if necessary. Generalized eczema may be treated with oral or injected glucocorticoids, but long-term use is not recommended.
- Selecting appropriate formulations and medications based on the condition of the skin lesions. Acute eczema may be treated with topical saline, 3% boric acid, or a potassium permanganate solution for rinsing and wet dressing. Calamine lotion can be used for astringency and protection. Subacute and chronic eczema may be treated with appropriate glucocorticoid creams, tar preparations, or immunomodulators such as tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream. Antibiotics may be added for secondary infections.
In addition, the following lifestyle modifications are recommended:
- Eliminating damp-heat: Herbal medicines such as tufuling, tiankuizi, and baixianpi are commonly used in dermatology and have the effects of clearing heat, removing dampness, and detoxifying. These herbs are often combined with other medications to effectively treat stubborn eczema, which is often caused by damp-heat.
- Relieving itching: Itching is one of the main symptoms of stubborn eczema. Herbal medicines such as fangfeng and chantui have the effects of dispelling wind, clearing heat, and relieving itching. They are commonly used in the treatment of allergic skin diseases.
- Avoiding stimulating foods, especially spicy, alcoholic, and caffeinated drinks. Seafood and red meat should be consumed sparingly. Instead, fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in fiber, should be eaten regularly. Fine foods should be avoided, and coarse foods should be preferred.
- Avoiding irritation to the anus, especially during itching. It is not advisable to apply medication without a clear diagnosis. Hot water or alkaline soap should not be used to clean the anus, as this can damage the normal tissue of the anal skin. Loose and breathable underwear made of cotton is recommended.