Eczema & Allergy

As a general rule the biggest problem with eczema is under treatment. So a good starting point is the itchy sneezy wheezy website. This guides you on appropriate amounts of moisturiser to use as well as appropriate amounts of medicated creams (e.g topical steroids, and Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors (TCIs)). It is also important to ensure you have clean hands before applying the creams.

Topical steroids are generally very safe to use. Many people often prefer to limit the steroid burden and as a result i often use TCIs and there is very good information on the National Eczema Society website. As eczema is a long term condition such as asthma or diabetes, it requires long term treatment. eczema is no different and requires long term treatment. However, you want to try and use the minimum amount of medicated creams to keep them under control. Often one requires a proactive approach such as weekend therapy.

As an allergist i like to ask 2 questions when it comes to allergy. The first is could an allergy be contributing to the eczema. Secondly, do you have a risk of an immediate (IgE-mediated) allergy and are allergy tests needed. This is especially important in very young children who have not introduced a food in the diet.