New Eczema Treatment Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Memphis Dermatologist
by George Woodbury Jr. M.D. 01/21/2024
One of the most common skin conditions worldwide is what Dermatologists call Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema. Often also called Fall Itch or Winter Itch, it can occur in all seasons. Let’s take a look at what’s new in Eczema Treatment, my perspective being that of a Memphis Dermatologist for the last 32 years.
What is Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis?
It’s an itchy, dry skin condition that tends to develop in childhood, but it can also surface in adulthood. It tends to favor the arms, legs, neck, and face, but it can occur anywhere. The rash and itching of Eczema can certainly make people miserable. The good news is that increasingly effective Eczema Treatment is now available.
The first step with a rash or skin eruption is to consider seeing a Board-certified Dermatologist.
As a practicing Memphis Dermatologist for over 30 years, I’ll often talk with patients about doing a skin test called a skin biopsy or excision – particularly if the diagnosis is in doubt. Sometimes we also consider what’s called Allergy Testing or Allergy Patch Testing to check for chemicals that one could be allergic to, such as wshea, which could cause flares of itching or rash.
Allergy Patch Testing involves the evaluation of skin reactions to common preservatives, fragrances, components of latex, and metals. Identifying chemical triggers can lead to effective ways of avoiding these trigger factors. For more, check out a short YouTube video sponsored by my Memphis Dermatology practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43QFMJ7TrcQ&t=131s
Many Board-certified Dermatologists like myself design Eczema Treatment to include prescription topical steroid creams and ointments, often giving quick relief from itching and burning. (The word “topical” means a medicine that’s applied “on top of” the skin.) Other options include steroid-free products called Protopic® Ointment (tacrolimus), Elidel® Cream (pimecrolimus), and a promising agent called Eucrisa® Ointment (crisaborole).
We also sometimes consider a short course of oral steroid tablets, called prednisone, or a steroid shot. These can give patients much more prompt relief from their symptoms or rash. For more: https://www.Rheumderm.com/eczema-atopic-dermatitis.
Promising new therapies for eczema include Dupixent® or dupilumab monoclonal antibody injections; and two new oral tablets – what are called non-steroidal JAK-1 inhibitors – Upadacitnib (Rinvoq®) and Abrocitinib (Cibinqo®). We generally monitor these treatments with bloodwork, TB testing, and sometimes Chest X-rays.
It’s quite important to try to correct the environmental problems that promote flares of eczema: use of overly drying soaps or failure to use skin lubricants or moisturizers. Dermatologists often recommend that patients with Eczema Treatment stay with fragrance-free cleansers or soaps, such as Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser and AmberSoy™ Soap Gel, both of which are available through Big River Silk Skincare, a company of which I’m the President (www.Bigriversilkskincare.com).
Moisturizers are also known to be helpful for people prone to Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema. Options include Lubriderm®, Moisturel®, Aveeno®, and several new moisturizers: GlycoShea™ Hand&Body Cream, GlycoShea Hand&Body Lotion, GlycoShea™ Facial&Neck Cream and GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion, all available from Big River Silk Skincare Inc. (1-901-753-0168; https://www.Bigriversilkskincare.com).
The GlycoShea products tend to be helpful because they’re fragrance-free moisturizers with no dyes, no formaldehyde, and no parabens, being derived from Refined Shea Butter, acting as Antiwrinkle Cream because of their Alpha Hydroxy Acid Glycolic Acid.
So if you have an undiagnosed rash that’s been stubborn, consider seeing a Board-certified Dermatologist. My own Memphis Dermatology practice is with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, in Cordova, TN, or you can find a Dermatologist closer to you by going to the American Academy of Dermatology website, AAD.org, then plugging your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist” tab. Never itch in silence!
George Woodbury Jr. M.D.
Board-certified Dermatologist with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates
President of Big River Silk Skincare
8143 Walnut Grove Road
Cordova TN 38018
1-901-753-0168
01/21/2024
