When you begin to notice itchy and uncomfortable patches of dry skin or a skin rash that will not go away on its own and head to the dermatologist, you may not expect to find out that you have eczema. However, once you receive your diagnosis, you may wonder what you should do to get your skin condition under control and get to feeling better sooner rather than later. Get to know some of your eczema treatment options so that you can do just that. 

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

One of the most common ways to treat eczema medically is to take anti-inflammatory medications. Topical creams known as corticosteroids are medications that are designed to reduce redness, itchiness, and pain that come along with an eczema outbreak.

Oftentimes, a doctor will recommend that the person try using over-the-counter topical creams that contain hydrocortisone or the like to see if they are strong enough to treat the outbreak. However, if a person continues to have outbreaks or their condition worsens after beginning treatment, prescription steroid creams may be used.

Keeping Skin Clean and Dry

No matter what other treatments a person utilizes for their eczema, the biggest obstacle is to keep the affected skin as clean and dry as possible. One of the biggest mistakes that people with eczema will make is to take hot showers. While hot water will likely numb the itching and pain you experience as a result of your rash, in the long run, this will cause more irritation than relief.

Hot water dehydrates the skin, increasing inflammation and can cause you to feel more itching and discomfort shortly after your shower is over. Take warm showers and dry your skin thoroughly afterward. Do not rub the surface of the skin, but pat it dry gently instead.

Try to avoid sweating or allowing other wetness to remain on the skin throughout the day. The only exception is a high-quality moisturizer or lotion applied several times throughout the day.

New Individualized Treatments

Many eczema treatments are the same for every person who suffers from eczema. However, the exact causes of a person's skin condition and the circumstances that may worsen or improve their condition are different.

A new way of treating eczema is in development to first perform an individual skin test that provides doctors with what is known as a lipid fingerprint. Using this fingerprint, treatments can be developed to help repair the balance of lipids on the skin and treat the outbreaks as well as prevent them in the future. These could be topical treatments similar to those used now but individualized. 

Now that you have an idea of the eczema treatments available now and in the future, you can get started in the treatment process and be sure to clear up your outbreak as soon as possible. Contact a local treatment center, such as Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center PS, for further assistance.