top of page

New Eczema Treatment Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Allergy Testing Memphis Dermatologist

by George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (01/28/2025)


Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury counsels an Eczema patient on new treatments
Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury talks with an Atopic Dermatitis patient

















We’re currently right in the middle of Winter, a time of year well-known to Dermatologists as “Eczema Season.” Let’s take a look at Eczema – also called “Atopic Dermatitis” – a sensitive skin condition that often runs in families along with asthma, hay fever, and food allergies. It’s felt to be genetic, rather than due to a food allergy to milk or eggs. Episodes of eczema –rashes or itching or burning -tend to start when the skin gets dry, often related to a new cleanser or laundry detergent. Flares of itching can be triggered by skin allergies, so Allergy Patch Testing, available at my Memphis Dermatology practice in Cordova, TN, since 2004, is a helpful way to uncover triggers, like preservatives, fragrance, metals, or components of latex.


Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema patient with arms itching and tendency to scratching from an Eczema flare
Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis can occur on the body or on the face
























In 2025, flares of Eczema are unfortunately becoming more and more common, possibly because of the need for frequent skin washing and scrubbing, related to the Covid-19 pandemic. The number of Americans affected is also increasing, particularly among African-Americans and Asians. Unmanaged Eczema can easily turn into a family crisis: parents deprived of sleep with kids itching and scratching in the night can’t function well during the day!


Cordova Dermatologist with an Atopic Dermatitis patient talking about new Eczema treatment
Memphis Dermatologist talks with an Ezema patient about new treatments


















The good news is that Dermatologists like myself have more and more effective evaluation tools and treatment options.


Eczema patient applying topical steroid cream
Atopic Dermatitis patient applying new steroid cream





















So let’s take a look at these, my perspective being that of a Memphis Dermatologist since 1993, with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018 (1-901-753-0168; wwwl.Rheumderm.com).


Atopic Dermatitis can occur as an itchy or burning rash on the body or the face
Eczema patient with a flare on his back





















What type of lab testing is helpful in Eczema?


Traditionally, Dermatologists have evaluated eczema by inspecting the skin in the office. We sometimes also do a skin biopsy, removing a small area of skin under local anesthetic to be checked by a Dermatopathologist, or specialist in skin cells. Sometimes we order skin Allergy Patch Testing, a type of skin allergy testing to check for allergy or sensitivity to one or more preservatives, fragrances, metals, or components of latex. This type of skin allergy testing can be done through what’s called the “True Test®, or else by a type of Expanded Allergy Testing, called the “Dormer Test,® now available in my Memphis Dermatology practice in Cordova, TN (www.Rheumderm.com). Finding the trigger chemical helps patients to avoid it.


A patient with Seborrheic Dermatitis which is a type of Eczema that tends to occur in the scalp or on the face
Patient with Seborrheic Dermatitis behind his right ear

















Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury explains the importance of moisturizers in healing Eczema flares
Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury on Refined Shea Butter in prevention of Eczema flares




















What’s New in Eczema treatment or Atopic Dermatitis treatment?


Traditionally, Dermatologists have used what are called topical (meaning “on top of the skin”) prescription steroid creams and ointments, such as Triamcinolone and Clobetasol. Now we also have several effective steroid-free products: tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, as well as crisaborole ointment (Eucrisa®) and a new topical prescription cream and foam (Zoryve® or Roflumilast Cream and Foam). Sometimes for Eczema flares we use also use Medrol® shots (steroid shots, sometimes called allergy shots).


Eczema patient applying steroid cream
Atopic Dermatitis patient applying steroid cream
















In 2025, Dermatologists can also treat Eczema patients with an oral steroid medication – prednisone – or with oral azathioprine – or with an injectable biologic medicine - Dupixent® (Dupilumab) - which blocks inflammatory chemicals called Interleukins 4 and 13. We also have injectable biologics Adbry® (tralokinumab) and Ebglyss® (lebrikizumab) – which work more specifically on Interleukin 13.


Atopic Dermatitis patient applying steroid cream to her face
Eczema patient applying steroid cream to her facial rash
















Dermatologists can also offer two promising new oral tablets – Rinvoq® (Upadcitinib) and Cibinqo® (Rinvoq) – steroid-free JAK inhibitors - for patients with Eczema. We also have a new promising steroid-free cream and foam – Zoryve® (Roflumilast®) – now approved for patients with Atopic Dermatitis down to the age of 6 – which has an active steroid-free ingredient called a Phosphodiesterase inhibitor or PDE4 – now approved for Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis, and Seborrheic dermatitis.


Dermatologists also have a promising new steroid-free topical JAK inhibitor – called Ozelura® Cream (Ruxolitinib Cream) – the advantage being that Opzelura does not thin the skin, meaning litte risk of skin atrophy, a well-known risk of topical steroids.


Big River Silk Skincare staff with Big River Silk Skincare President Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury
Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with Big River Silk Skincare staff


















In 2016, I because President of Big River Silk™ Skincare Inc. , incorporating 25 years of my own Memphis Dermatology practice into the development, manufacture, and distribution of a gentle Refined Shea Butter moisturizer – now available in three varieties - HypoShea Moisturizer Lotion, HypoShea Moisturizer Cream, and HypoShea Moisturizer Oil ($14.95 for 1 oz/$22.95 for 2 oz/$74.95 for 8 oz: free USPS shipping for orders over $75.00/otherwise $7.50 for shipping and handling). HypoShea is a beautiful line because it uses an organic moisturizer from an African tree – called Shea Butter – blended with some of the purest natural water in the United States – from the Memphis Sands aquifer. Check us out at www.Bigriversilkskincare.com.


HypoShea Moisturizer Lotion is a fragrance-free moisturizer
HypoShea Moisturizer Lotion has Refined Shea Butter making it into an organic moisturizer

















Big River Silk™ Skincare also manufactures two anti-wrinkle creams - GlycoShea™ Facial&Neck Lotion and GlycoShea™ Hand&Body Lotion – with Alpha Hydroxy Acid Glycolic Acid – helpful for Keratosis pilaris and dry rough skin.


GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion has Glycolic Acid making it into Antiwrinkle Cream
Glycolic Acid is the effective Antiwrinkle Cream ingredient in GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion


























So if you or a family member is suffering from itching, burning or recurrent rashes, you could be suffering from Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis. My own practice for the last 29 years has been with Rheumatology and Dermatology, at 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018 (www.Rheumderm.com: 1-901-753-0168). Or you could find a “Best Dermatologist Near Me” or “Best Dermatologists Near Me” by going to the American Academy of Dermatology web site, AAD.org, then plugging your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist” tab. Never itch in silence!


Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury is a Board-certified Dermatologist
Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury Jr.





















George Woodbury Jr. M.D.

President, Big River Silk Skincare Inc. (www.Bigriversilkskincare.com)

8143 Walnut Grove Road

Cordova TN 38018

1-901-753-0168

01/28/2025



Comments


Featured Posts
Recent Posts
Archive
Search By Tags
BRSS round icon .png
bottom of page