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Some cases of eczema can be so severe they cause broken skin to bleed and sometimes become infected. It is common in the winter months due to the cold, dry air. AFC Urgent Care North Andover provides treatment options for this condition to help soothe your irritated skin. Visit our clinic today to help get your flare-up under control.
Symptoms of Eczema
Eczema can happen on any part of the body, but it primarily happens on your face, behind your knees, wrists, hands, or feet. There are a few different varieties of eczema that have other causes and occur in different areas, but general cases typically get better as you get older. Symptoms of eczema include:
- Itchy, dry, and sensitive skin
- Inflamed and discolored skin
- Skin that appears rough, scaly, or leathery
- Swelling
- Crusting
They are typically not accompanied by any other symptom, but eczema can go hand-in-hand with allergies. If you experience seasonal allergies, you are more likely to have a flare-up of eczema. It is not contagious, and you cannot contract it from another person. However, it is more likely to pass down between family members through genetics.
Remedies for Eczema
Medications
There are certain prescription medications or creams that can help target eczema specifically. If you would rather try a more natural approach, there are many different natural treatments that can be beneficial. Doctors with AFC Urgent Care North Andover can provide a written prescription for a corticosteroid cream or ointment. Moisturizing at least twice a day, especially after a shower, can also help add hydration back to the skin.
Additionally, oral medications can be prescribed to help with inflammation and pain. If the eczema is caused by a bacterial infection, an antibiotic can also be prescribed to fight off the infection.
Avoid irritants
Patients should also try and avoid scratching eczema. This may be more difficult with children, but scratching can lead to bleeding and broken skin. Hot water from a shower can irritate already dry skin, so it’s best to keep the water warm instead of hot and limit time in the shower to less than ten minutes. Be sure to moisturize immediately after.
Some clothing may irritate the skin further, as well. Wool is a type of fabric that may be itchy and irritating on the skin. If possible, wear a more loose-fitting item of clothing around the area. Cotton and silk are two fabrics that are soft on the skin and will not irritate it further.
Use a humidifier
Using a humidifier in the winter can have many positive effects in addition to dry skin. Adding moisture back to the air can help you breathe easier at night if you are at all congested. Using it daily while working from home can help make the symptoms of eczema less severe, and it will make your skin overall more hydrated.
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