Tag: eczema

Is an Eczema Treatment Using Antihistamines the Best for You?

Is an Eczema Treatment Using Antihistamines the Best for You?

Antihistamines are used to suppress the bodys natural production of histamines. When one is exposed to certain allergens substances that cause allergic reactions the body produces histamines as part of its defense systems. This is why an eczema treatment may sometimes include antihistamines to lessen the symptoms of the skin disease, such as inflammation, reddening and itching of the affected areas.

However, antihistamines interfere with the role of histamines in suppressing allergic reactions. So if you are suffering from eczema, you might as well give scrambling to your doctors clinic right away to get a prescription a second thought. Antihistamines may give you side effects even worse than the eczema symptoms you are trying to do away with. This is why many doctors recommend other forms of topical treatments for flare ups, such as ointments, foams, lotions and gels.

How do antihistamines work?

Certain organs in the body the skin, lungs and the length of the digestive system naturally contain high amounts of histamines. In fact, almost any of your bodily organs have them for defense. Aside from immune regulation, histamines also play other roles in the body such as:

* Secretion of digestive acids in the stomach
* Regulation of sexual response
* Regulation of sleep
* Relay and modulation of signals from one neuron cell to the other

As part of the bodys immune system, histamines trigger the pooling of blood supply in areas where foreign or invading organisms are present, such as in injured body parts like wounds. This is to supply larger concentrations of everything needed for the bodys efficient healing. However, large concentrations of histamines in a given area also results to inflammation, reddening and itching yes, just like the symptoms present during eczema flare ups. That is why certain treatments for eczema make use of antihistamines to get rid of such symptoms.

Can I use eczema medications with antihistamines?

Not just about everybody can take antihistamines. Many doctors advise people to steer clear of antihistamines if they have:

* Asthma
* Chronic bronchitis
* Hypertension
* Glaucoma
* Problems with the liver or kidney and other organs
* Any chronic illness

Histamines are also contraindicated for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, or if one is currently taking medications, be it conventional or all-natural. If you suffer from eczema and have one of the things mentioned earlier, then you should consider resorting to other modes of treatment for eczema, the ones that do not contain antihistamines.

Taking antihistamines for a long period of time can actually do more harm than good. It can cause histamine deficiency, which contributes to:

* Mouth ulcers
* Headaches
* Excessive hair growth
* Ringing in the ears
* Eye and ear problems
* Mental and emotional disorders such as schizophrenia

Half of the people classified as having schizophrenia, according to studies conducted, have low levels of histamines circulating in their blood stream. The depletion of histamines may be due to certain antipsychotic drugs prescribed for them. However, increasing the levels of histamines in their blood stream significantly improved their condition. Also, it is said that people with low levels of histamines usually experience anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations.

If you suffer from eczema at the same time with other conditions such as difficulty in breathing, you should consult your doctor for an eczema treatment other than that with antihistamines.

How to Deal with Eczema

Eczema treatment is possible but before we mention what these are, we should know what it is first.

Eczema is a dry skin condition that happens commonly among children. There are different degrees by which someone is affected and the only good news is that it is not contagious.

When you do have it, your skin will not only look dry but also itchy and red. In severe cases, there may be bleeding, crusting and weeping.

So how do we treat eczema? The first thing you have to do to prevent it from getting worse is not to scratch it because constant scratching causes the skin to bleed and split making it vulnerable to infection. Should this happen to you, there are oral and topical antibiotics available that can kill the bacteria.

Since this is easier said than done, you should apply creams and lotions over the affected area to keep the skin moist. The best time to apply it to the skin is after bathing so the moisture from the bath is still locked into the skin.

Another option is to apply cold compress. If this still does not work, then you can go to the drug store and apply nonprescription corticosteroid creams and ointments that are designed to reduce inflammation.

If the nonprescription corticosteroid creams and ointments are not effective, then it is time to try those that are prescribed by the doctor. You should know that there are some side effects and to prevent this from happening, you must limit the length of treatment time and the locations where this will be applied. Instead of topical prescribed medication, the doctor may even give you oral corticosteroids.

The creams and ointments mentioned will not be able to help if you have severe itching. For that, doctors will recommend sedative antihistamines that are available in both prescription and over-the-counter varieties. Since drowsiness is a common side effect, this is usually given during the evening so you will be able to get a good nights sleep.

For those who want to use something else, they can try tar treatments and phototherapy. The only problem with tar treatments is the fact that it is messy.

The last resort for eczema treatment if nothing seems to work is a drug called cyclosporine A. This is designed to modify the bodys immune response at a price because it is known to have serious side effects.

But for people who are suffering from atopic dermatitis which is another form of eczema, there are two topical medications to choose from that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These are namely tacrolimus and pimecrolimus which belong to a class of drugs called calcineurin inhibitors which work by modulating the immune response. The best part is that there are no side effects even during long term use.

Can eczema be prevented? The answer is yes. If you have children, make sure they are wearing breathable clothes like those made of cotton, use mild soaps when they bathe, keep their room clean from dust mites and avoid sudden temperature changes.

Eczema can happen at any age. Studies have shown that there are 15 million people in this country who have one form or another. The good news is that there is eczema treatment available. If over the counter creams, ointments and medications dont work, consult with your dermatologist so something stronger can be given.

Eczema Treatment Using Light

Eczema treatment can be done without the use of medication. In fact, there are three types around and your doctor will only be able to you which one you can take after a thorough examination.

The first is called UVA-1 Phototherapy. In this type of therapy, a narrow band of light is used to penetrate deeply into the skin. This is the newest one around and doctors have claimed that it is more focused and intense compared to other types since it does not burn the skin in therapeutic doses.

One of the advantages of this type of therapy is the fact that it can target large areas of skin without the side effects of oral or topical medications. It is currently being used to treat patients who are also suffering from dermatitis or dyshidrosis which is a condition that causes blisters on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet and morphea, thought to be an autoimmune disease that is localized to the skin and causes thickening and discoloration.

Since it is quite new, it is only available in a few hospitals in the US. During the session, a machine will emit UVA light directly over the affected area. Treatment usually takes 12 minutes and patients can keep coming back several times in a week. Some patients experience itchiness or redness after but this quickly disappears after a session.

Most patients have at least 4 to 5 therapy sessions in the first week and then cut this down to two or three in the succeeding weeks. You will see improvements after three weeks and doctors claim that there are no traces of this after a few months.

Aside from UVA-1 Phototherapy, you have narrow band UVB. This is the most common form of phototherapy around. The word narrow band refers to a specific wavelength of radiation so most of the time the patient is exposed to 311 nanometers of ultraviolet radiation.

The reason why it is the most common form aside from the fact that there are a lot of facilities that have it is the fact that your exposure time to the ultraviolet light is much shorter as well the course of treatment. It is more likely to clear your skin condition and you will enjoy a long remission period before it appears again.

Aside from eczema, this form of treatment is used to treat patients suffering from dermographism, early cutaneous T-cell, lichen planus, lymphoma, polymorphous light eruption, pruritus, and vitiligo.

The third type is PUVA which stands for Psoralen and UVA treatment. Psoralens are found in plants and can only be sensitized when this is taken either orally or applied topically. When applied with UVA, the patient does not have to be exposed too long to the radiation.

This process works by taking Psoralen orally an hour before UVA treatment. If the patient is not able to handle it, the hospital must provide a bathing system or a topical version of psoralens. Afterwards, the patient wears protective goggles during treatment and for the next 24 hours.

PUVA is given 2 to 3 times a week for a period of 3 months. Post treatment or maintenance therapy is one session a week. Each time the patient leaves the clinic, he or she must avoid exposure to sunlight for the next 24 hours.

Eczema treatment using light is safe and effective. You should consider it if you have this skin condition.

Eczema Treatments Available for Patients

Pimples and zits are just of the problems that affect our skin. But did you know that eczema can also happen? Eczema treatments are available. The only problem is that these arent cures which means it could come back.

The simplest way to battle eczema is by using moisturizers. By applying some in the affected area, it will help your skin heal and give you relief from the symptoms associated with this problem. Before you apply the moisturizer, it is best to have a room temperature bath as this will help remove crusted skin. Once you towel off, this is the time you apply the moisturizer.

When you are looking for a moisturizer, make sure it two or three of the following ingredients; alpha hydroxyl acids, cetyl alcohol, glycerin, butylene glycol, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, mineral oil, panthenol, petroleum, prolipids, propylene glycol, stearyl alcohol and tocopheryl acetate.

A very good example of such a moisturizer is eucerin because its main ingredients are petroleum and mineral oil. You can buy this in cream or lotion form and has been proven to relieve itching.

The general rule when you look for a moisturizer is based on the condition of your skin. If your skin is very dry, you will need a moisturizer that is very oily.

Another form of eczema treatment is with the help of corticosteroid creams and ointments. Among all the treatments available, this is the one that has been in use for years. If your condition has not improved, you will have to switch from over the counter corticosteroid creams and ointments to those that have to be prescribed by a doctor. It may even come to a point that you will have to take oral corticosteroids.

Corticosteroid creams and ointments are divided into 4 different strengths namely mild, moderate, potent and very potent. Most doctors recommend mild at first and only use a stronger one if mild does not work. Because of the side effects, stronger types of both corticosteroid creams and ointments should only be used for a short period of time.

Aside from oral corticosteroids, there are also oral antihistamines. Since one of the side effects of this drug is drowsiness, this should only be used at night so you can sleep soundly without the urge to wake up and scratch that itch.

New drugs are always being introduced to fight eczema and one of these is the immunomodulators. Basically, this is medication designed to help control inflammation and reduce the immune system reactions when this is applied to your skin.

If applying medicine to your skin or swallowing some pills does not seem to work, your doctor may recommend light therapy. There are three different types namely UVA-1 Phototherapy, narrow band UVB and PUVA.

In each of these treatments, a certain degree of ultraviolet light is used to help the affected area. You will have to go the hospital for several weeks before you are able to see any improvements.

The specific cause of eczema is not clear. While some studies point out that this skin condition is hereditary, it has also been proven that there are trigger factors which may cause this to occur.

Examples of this include allergies, chemicals or solvents, tobacco smoke and the weather. If the doctor is able to pinpoint what caused it, part of eczema treatment during and after is to stay away from things that triggered it. Believe it or not, this may even force you to make certain changes in your diet.

There are eczema treatments available for patients. While you may not get rid of it, you can keep it at bay so flare ups will not happen.