Drug Therapy

The primary goal of treatment is to relieve discomfort by controlling the signs and symptoms. Since eczema is usually dry and itchy, most treatment plans involve applying lotions, creams, or ointments to keep the skin as moist as possible. The treatment plan also may require lifestyle modifications and using medication as directed.

Conventional Treatment Options

The conventional treatment involves the use of:
A topical corticosteroid (to relieve redness and inflammation), with/without the adjunctive use of:

• An anti-microbial drug (to prevent and/or to treat associated microbial infection/s)
• An anti-histaminic drug (to relieve pruritus-itching and inflammation)

Certain types of severe eczema may be treated with phototherapy. Stronger systemic medications, such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine, may be prescribed to treat severe eczema that has been unresponsive to the conventional treatments.

Limitations of Conventional Treatments

The common side effects of the conventional treatment are:

• Immunosuppression with corticosteroids
• Resistance with anti-microbials
• Sedation with anti-histamines