Eczema is a common skin condition that affects as many as 31 million Americans. The inflamed, itchy rash can develop at any age and cause mild to severe symptoms. There is no cure for eczema, but board-certified dermatologist Alexander Stein MD, FAAD, FASDS, and the team at Stein Dermatology and Skin Surgery offer effective treatments to minimize flare-ups. To get help for your eczema from the skin care experts at Stein Dermatology and Skin Surgery, contact the office in Chula Vista, California, by phone or schedule an appointment online today.
Eczema is a general medical term that describes various skin conditions that cause itchy, inflamed rashes. You may develop eczema during childhood, adolescents, or as an adult.
Though it’s not clear what causes eczema, doctors theorize that the skin condition may occur due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors.
Eczema isn’t contagious, but the rash may affect the look of your skin and your quality of life.
There are several types of eczema, which have unique symptoms and triggers. Types of eczema include:
Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It usually develops during childhood and causes itchy rashes in the creases of your skin, such as the inside of your elbow or back of your knee.
If you develop red, itchy rashes after your skin comes in contact with a specific substance; then, you may have contact dermatitis.
With dyshidrotic eczema, you develop small, fluid-filled blisters on your hands or feet. Your blisters may be itchy or painful.
Usually from an insect bite or an allergic reaction, nummular eczema causes a coin-shaped rash.
Seborrheic dermatitis primarily affects the scalp and causes scaly patches of skin or dandruff.
You may develop stasis dermatitis if you have poor blood circulation. With stasis dermatitis, fluids from your weak blood vessels leak, causing the skin underneath to swell and redden.
When you visit Stein Dermatology and Skin Surgery for an eczema consultation, you can expect an in-depth evaluation focused on finding your eczema type, potential triggers, and the best treatment option.
Your specialist reviews your symptoms, medical and family history during your exam, and evaluates your skin. Though the expert dermatologists at Stein Dermatology and Skin Surgery may diagnose eczema after a physical examination, they may request a skin biopsy to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
Treatment for eczema focuses on alleviating your symptoms and preventing or minimizing flare-ups. The team at Stein Dermatology and Skin Surgery develops individualized treatment plans for your eczema based on the type and severity of your symptoms.
Treatment options may include:
The team also helps you identify the triggers that cause your eczema flare-ups and devises a plan to minimize contact. They schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor your skin and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
For expert care of your eczema from an experienced team, call Stein Dermatology and Skin Surgery or book an appointment online today.