Rashes, Including Eczema and Psoriasis

Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Eczema, technically termed Atopic Dermatitis, is characterized by itchy, long-lasting scaly rashes. Most patients suffering with eczema have a family history of allergic reactions, such as asthma and hay fever. We see this condition most often in infants, who usually heal by 36 months. If adults struggle with eczema, they probably have a chronic condition.

What Can We Do?

Our solution for Eczema patients depends on the stage of each specific condition. Eczema lesions can appear “weeping,” dry and scaly, and for chronic cases, dry and thick. Some food allergens and skin irritants like wool and lanolin can aggravate your symptoms further, so you should avoid them whenever possible.

If you have weeping lesions, you can use soothing moisturizers, mild soaps, or wet dressings to relieve the affected area. If you have less severe lesions such as dry, scaly lesions, or your condition has already started to heal, use mild anti-itch lotions or topical corticosteroids (low potency). If you have a severe, thickened, chronic condition, we recommend using ointments or creams that contain tar compounds, corticosteroids (medium to very high potency), and ingredients that lubricate or soften your skin.

Depending on the severity of the condition, we might also prescribe systemic corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. A new type of skin medication for eczema called topical immunomodulators (TIMs) has recently hit the market. TIMs are steroid-free and have an 80% success rate.

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Psoriasis

You can recognize psoriasis by repetitive outbreaks of inflammation (irritation and swelling), redness, itching, and thick, dry scales usually affecting the trunk, elbows, knees, scalp, skin folds, and fingernails (although it can affect any area of skin).

As a common skin condition, psoriasis most often appears on patients between ages 15 and 35, and is characterized by first clearing, then flaring up again after some time. Probably an inherited disorder, Psoriasis occurs when your immune system accidentally attacks your body’s own cells.

Although psoriasis isn’t contagious, many other factors cause psoriasis, including medications, viral or bacterial infections, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, lack of sunlight, sunburn, stress, general poor health, cold climate, and frequent friction on the skin.

What Can We Do?

You can treat mild cases of psoriasis at home with topical medications, but if your condition is more severe, we recommend prescription oral or injected immunosuppressive medications (such as corticosteroids or methotrexate).

We use another treatment method called phototherapy, which is moderate exposure to sunlight. To make your phototherapy procedure most effective, we first apply coal tar ointment to your skin or provide medication that makes your skin more sensitive to light.