Taking Control of Your Eczema

For me, I don’t remember a time when I didn’t struggle with eczema. I was only two when my mom took me to the doctor, and I was diagnosed with eczema. As far back as I can remember, I have been dealing with the flare-ups, the medication, and everything that comes with managing my condition. As I child, I was often told I would grow out of it “eventually.” Well, at 31, I don’t think I will “grow out of” my eczema. How did I learn to manage eczema on my own? Like many others who receive their diagnosis during childhood, I grew up with my mom trying to help me manage my condition the best I could. There was a constant fluctuation between the areas of my body my eczema would affect, the severity, and what treatments would work, but this just became part of my normal life over time. As many young adults grow up and become more independent, they become responsible for the various areas of their lives compared to being children and relying on their parents. For me, part of this was beginning to manage my own health condition. [forumDriver id=16595] Why didn't I think it was a serious condition? Although I knew I had eczema and that it was something I had to manage, I somehow never really considered it a serious medical condition. Some are you are probably wondering why that would even matter. But the fact that I did not consider eczema a serious medical condition caused me to just stick with the same routine I always had. I would avoid my triggers, maintain treatment until I built up a tolerance, then use steroids to calm down the flare and switch to a different medication once that tolerance would build up. I wouldn’t say it was ideal, but somehow I got by. When did I start questioning my treatment? By the time I reached my mid 20’s, I had begun to start questioning this “status quo.” I was getting annoyed with the fact I didn’t feel like I was making much progress and that, if anything, my symptoms were starting to get even worse. I would casually mention this to my doctors and never got much of a response. I would be given a different medication, lotion, or cream, but that was about it. I often would leave appointments feeling dismissed. In my gut, I believed we could do better, and there were better options. I just didn’t know how to get there. When did I start taking control of my healthcare? After a change in insurance forced me to switch doctors in my late 20’s something finally clicked. I began to see that when I didn’t consider my own health struggles a priority, neither did they. I began to learn to become my own advocate, not to be afraid to speak up when I wasn’t happy with the treatment or didn’t think something was working. Once I began to do this, I began to feel like I was part of a team. I felt like we were working together to find what worked best for me, instead of just being handed treatment and rolling the dice to guess if it would work or not. How has it worked for me? When my primary doctor began to understand the severity of my eczema symptoms and the struggles I dealt with, she began to bring specialists onto our team. Over the past few years, we have all worked together to manage the various aspects of my health. It amazes me how much more progress I have seen by taking my own conditions more seriously and speaking up for myself. I am the only one who truly understands what I am going through, and without voicing that, my team of doctors and specialists cannot treat me to the best of their ability. We may not have it perfect, but feeling like I am being heard gives me hope for possible progress. [lead_gen showIfLoggedIn="0" campaign="shortcode" source="site"] Cooler, drier weather often means itchier, flakier skin for those with atopic dermatitis. If you or your family are experiencing renewed or continued symptoms, it’s time to get serious about hydration and home-care. One thing you shouldn’t do, though, is turn to lotion. Why shouldn't you use lotion to moisturize? When it comes to moisturizing eczema-prone skin, the more oil the better. Lotions have very little oil in them, and many include added ingredients like fragrances and alcohols that can sting, burn, and irritate the skin. This often can make an eczema problem worse. Instead of lotion, try creams or ointments. [forumDriver id=17268] What ointments could you use instead? Ointments — such as mineral oil or petroleum jelly — have the most oil in them and therefore lock in the most moisture. A common, low-cost option is Aquaphor, which can be found at most drug and grocery stores. My daughter has used it, and it works. However, if you prefer not to use petroleum or mineral oil, there are other options. TruKid Easy Eczema Cream is a thick ointment that went on smoothly, didn’t irritate my daughter’s skin, and worked. (It's also one of my personal favorites for when I'm having an active flare, which doesn't happen often.) I bought it on Amazon. Coconut Oil is a great ointment for eczema, as long as the person isn’t allergic or intolerant to coconut. It was my go-to for my son when he was a baby because it’s gentle and its antibacterial, antimicrobial properties helped soothe inflammation, which means he slept better. All ointments will leave a greasy or sticky feeling for a few minutes. It fades quickly, though, as your skin absorbs the oil. However, if you can’t stand the feeling, creams may be a better choice for you. [native] What creams should you use instead? I tend to use a fragrance-free goat-milk cream made by a local artisan. If you don’t have a local arts market or farmers market near you, you often can find these online. Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream often works well, too. Many people swear by it, and I used it on both of my kids whenever we were traveling or my coconut oil ran out. It’s a good product, widely available, and inexpensive. It also has the seal of approval from the National Eczema Foundation. What are my tips for moisturizing with eczema? If you’re using a steroid or topical prescription medication, make sure to use that as directed before moisturizing. Moisturize within three minutes of showering or bathing to lock-in water moisture.Use a thick layer of cream or ointment. Don’t worry about the excess! The skin will absorb it in just a few moments. Choose whatever product works for you, but make sure to avoid dyes and fragrances, both of which will only make things worse. With a good moisturizer and consistent use, you’ll help avoid the winter flare-ups that so many of us experience. You’ll also be building good habits for home skincare that will last you, and/or your kids, throughout the year. ,Our amazing team of atopic dermatitis Health Leaders answered a few questions to share their thoughts and tips with the community. What are your tips for making the most out of your visits to the dermatologist or other eczema specialists? [poll nexus_id=17910] What notes can you take ahead of the appointment? Jeff: Before I see my dermatologist I always make a mental list of the topics that I’d like to discuss. Occasionally, I’ll write something down but I mainly take that step when it’s difficult to pronounce the medication, treatment, or condition that I’m curious about. I like to do my own research before I visit my dermatologist. Every so often I feel that I may know “more” about a topic than they do. This shouldn’t be taken as a jab at my doctor. I’m just trying to be realistic with the situation. There is a lot of information out there to keep up with! After all, eczema is just one component of their practice. Do my notes include questions? Asking thoughtful questions is fundamental for a solid healthcare routine. In the end, I’m the only person that is going to truly make a difference when it comes to the treatment of my skin. My advice to you is to ask away! Get to know your condition, its underlying causes, and any other information that you can. Knowledge is power. How can you handle your first visit to a specialist? Harrison: Aside from the expectation that visiting a dermatologist might not be the best idea (perhaps having read an online article, or heard from friends), let us consider for a moment you are a new eczema fighter and wish to give a skin specialist a fair chance. How can you make the most of this visit? What questions do you ask to gain the most value, more so than answers you can easily find online? What should you expect? First, expect to hear what you may already know. You will be diagnosed with eczema in the first visit, and after the consultation, you will likely be prescribed the eczema combo: aqueous cream, steroids (topical or oral), and sometimes antibiotics. What treatment questions can you ask? Second, ask for personalized advice relating to the drugs. What is finger tip unit (FTU)? How much FTU to use from the steroid cream? How often to use per day? When is the best time to apply? What is the maximum application per day or week? Can you demonstrate how to apply (e.g. dilute on your finger first, or rub directly)? What other questions can you ask about eczema? Third, ask for recommendations other than how to use the given prescriptions. This is the critical point where you discover how much experience a dermatologist has with eczema patients. Does the specialist talk about diet and/or stress? Further, ask about previous patients, what were their common obstacles (so you don’t have to repeat the same)? Is your doctor open to listening to you? Terry: If I were to see a Western dermatologist again, I would just try to nip things in the bud from the get-go and see if they are open to integrative medicine or considering alternative or ancient ways of healing the skin through diet and lifestyle other than using pharmaceutical drugs. If they only want me to listen to them and blindly use steroid prescriptions and do not consider the fact that I have used them for 15 years straight without having my eczema cured at all, I would probably just not move forward and avoid wasting either of our times. Probably the best thing to do when it comes to eczema and seeing a specialist is that you see someone who is willing to work with you and not try to dominate or bully you or pressure you into only using the prescriptions they prescribe and consider any other ideas that you might have that your gut and intuition are guiding you to try out. [lead_gen showIfLoggedIn="0" campaign="shortcode" source="site"] One of the most common pieces of feedback I hear from those in the eczema community is the lack of proper treatment from healthcare providers. I experience people saying things like, "My doctor doesn't believe that food has anything to do with eczema. Can you believe that?" or "My doctor doesn't believe in topical steroid withdrawal (TSW)." or "Why hasn't my doctor done any type of allergy testing with me?" Can you relate to any of these? Are you seeing the "wrong" doctor for eczema? Well, what if I told you that your lack of treatment options and healing could be because you may be (or have been) going to the "wrong" doctor? And not wrong in the sense that your particular doctor doesn't hold any credibility, but maybe they simply do not specialize in atopic dermatitis/eczema. [forumDriver id=18555] Based on my experience, here is a list of the most common types of doctors people in the eczema community go to when seeking support: What do pediatricians do? Pediatricians are known to care for children from birth to young adulthood. According to WebMD, they are "trained to diagnose and treat a broad range of childhood illnesses, from minor health problems to serious diseases." The keyword here is "broad," meaning that most pediatricians may not have the specialty or the proper, in-depth knowledge to treat the range and severity of atopic dermatitis. Upon reflection, this could have possibly been why my doctor did not provide my parents with more resources or treatment options growing up. They were probably so busy trying to gain the knowledge necessary for all childhood illnesses that it was impossible to learn everything about eczema. What do family physicians do? Family physicians will care for the whole family. They tend to focus on yearly checkups, minuscule and curable illnesses like the cold or the flu, and they'll support you in managing ongoing conditions. Like pediatricians, they focus on a broad range of illnesses and treatments and do not necessarily specialize in one or the other. What do dermatologists do? A recent blog I created discussed the shocking information that most dermatologists are interested in cosmetic treatment or surgery. A Dermatology Market Overview shows that 60% of dermatologists are considered general dermatologists, while the second-highest percentage at 20% are considered cosmetic dermatologists.1 What does this tell me? It shows me that only a few dermatologists specialize in these chronic skin conditions, like eczema, psoriasis, and acne. What do allergists/immunologists do? Allergists and immunologists treat immune system disorders such as eczema, asthma, and food allergies. If you're looking to see what you're allergic to, allergists are your best shot! My trust in doctors was actually built after meeting an allergist who made me feel heard and worked with me to co-create a treatment plan. This same doctor supported me in getting allergy testing done and helped me get on the Dupixent trials back in 2015. What do nutritionists do? Nutritionists support others with the types of foods and nutrition one needs to meet their health goals and live a healthier life overall. It's important to note that nutritionists do not need a specific certificate or degree to practice. According to Medical News Today, "Nutritionists' qualifications and experience can be more variable, so people should check that a practitioner has adequate training for their needs before signing up for their services."2 What do dieticians do? Unlike nutritionists, dieticians must have a license to practice in the US. As a result, they can treat people with diseases like eczema. Registered Dietician Nutritionists (RDN) can be referred by other doctors and are covered by some insurances. Nutritionists and dieticians can greatly support the day-to-day eating habits of those living with eczema. So what now? What have your experiences been with your doctor? Now that you know this information, I invite you to reflect on your personal experience with doctors. What types of doctors were you seeking support from throughout your journey living with eczema? What did you initially expect from them? (Example: A dermatologist giving you nutritional advice). Did they specialize or have a high clientele of those with atopic dermatitis? What worked or didn't work? Which doctor fits your needs best? Based on your reflection, now you can choose which doctor will ultimately provide you with the support you seek. Maybe you need a combination of multiple doctors to support you with your health goals. It was only when I became aware of the different roles doctors and healthcare practitioners played that I realized I could engage with more than one doctor to support my health goal. When should you make changes? Go for it! AKA, DO IT. Set up your appointment with the doctor(s) of your choice. Show up to the appointment and go from there. Tip: Be sure to research your doctors beforehand. Perhaps even give them a call to ask about what they specialize in and the percentage of clientele they have living with eczema. Based on your personal experience, what type of doctor has supported you in better managing your eczema? Let me know in the comments! [lead_gen showIfLoggedIn="0" campaign="shortcode" source="site"],

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