Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR ECZEMA /DRY SKIN/ ATOPIC DERMATITIS:

REDUCE SKIN IRRITATION

1. Wash all new clothes before wearing them.  This removes the formaldehyde and other irritating chemicals.
2. Add a second rinse cycle to ensure removal of detergent.  Residual laundry detergent, particularly perfume or dye, may be irritating when it remains in the clothing.  Changing to a liquid and fragrance-free, dye-free detergent may be helpful.
3. Wear garments that allow air to pass freely to your skin.  Open weave, loose-fitting, cotton-blend clothing may be most comfortable.
4. Work and sleep in comfortable surroundings with a fairly constant temperature and humidity level.
5. Keep fingernails very short and smooth to help prevent damage due to scratching.
6. Carry a small tube of moisturizer/sunscreen at all times.
7. Shower or bathe after swimming in chlorinated pool or using hot tub using a gentle cleanser to remove chemicals, then apply moisturizer.

MAINTENANCE OR DAILY CARE

1. Take at least one bath or shower per day; use warm water, for 10-15 minutes
2. Use a gentle cleansing bar or wash in the sensitive skin formulation as needed such as Dove or Oil of Olay
3. Pat away excess water and immediately (within 3 minutes) apply moisturizer, or maintenance medication if directed.  Fragrance-free moisturizers available in one pound jars include Aquaphor Ointment, Eucerin Cream, Vanicream, CeraVe Cream or Cetaphil Cream.  Vaseline is a good occlusive preparation to seal in the water; however, it contains no water so it only works effectively after a bathing
4. Use moisturizers liberally throughout the day
5. Avoid skin irritants and proven allergens

MILD TO MODERATE ECZEMA /DRY SKIN /ATOPIC DERMATITIS

Bathe as above for 10-15 minutes, once (and possibly twice) daily
Use cleansers as above
Use moisturizers as above twice daily
Apply ______________________ (low potency topical corticosteroid) to affected areas of face, groin and underarms twice daily especially after baths or Protopic or Elidel as prescribed, or other topical preparation as directed _________________ (topical barrier repair cream, eg. Atopiclair or Mimyx three times daily).
Apply to other affected areas of the body twice daily especially after baths __________________ (low to mid- potency topical corticosteroid), or Protopic or Elidel, or other topical preparation as directed ______________________.
Add other medications as directed: _____________________________ (eg. Oral sedating antihistamines, topical or oral antimicrobial therapy)
Pay close attention to things that seem to irritate the skin or make condition worse

MODERATE TO SEVERE ECZEMA /DRY SKIN

Bathe as above for 10-15 minutes, two times a day, once before bedtime
Use cleansers as above or consider an antibacterial cleanser (eg. Lever 2000)
Use moisturizers as above twice daily especially after baths
Apply to affected areas of face, groin and underarms twice daily especially after baths _________________________ (low potency topical corticosteroid) or _______________________ (topical calcineurin inhibitors), or other topical preparation as directed ______________________ topical barrier repair cream, eg. Atopiclair or Mimyx three times daily
Apply to other affected areas of the body twice daily especially after baths _______________ (mid- to high- potency topical corticosteroid) or _________________________ (topical calcineurin inhibitors), or other topical preparation as directed _______________________
Use wet wraps to involved areas selectively as directed
Add other medications as directed: _______________________ (eg. Oral sedating antihistamines, topical or oral antimicrobial therapy)
Pay close attention to things that seem to irritate the skin or make condition worse
Contact the office for additional evaluation or therapies
Step down to moderate plan above as the skin heals

 Call now for a consultation: (212) 772-0740