Dealing with a condition like eczema can be a tough proposition, because not only does it cause irritating and unsightly rashes on the skin but it is also incurable. Unfortunately, this means that any medication you may get from the doctor to treat the disease isn't going to cure you of it, rather the medication will simply treat the symptoms of the condition. As is often the case when dealing with an ailment by targeting the symptoms rather than the root cause, once treatment is halted you will start to see the eczema coming back again.
For a long time doctors have tended to prescribe topical steroid creams for cases of eczema. These do tend to produce quick results that clear the skin of the rashes associated with eczema. As mentioned though, these results will only last for as long as you continue the use of the steroid treatments. Not only will long term use of such medication become expensive over time, it can actually be dangerous. Prolonged use of steroid treatments has the side effect of causing the skin to become thin and fragile, meaning it will easily break and become prone to infection.
Although the exact cause of eczema is not known, it is believed to be a problem that stems from within the immune system. It has been argued that, along with asthma, that eczema can occur as a result of growing up in an environment that is actually too clean. In order for the immune system to develop during infancy, it needs exposure to a certain degree of bacteria. If during a persons development such substances are absent, the immune system will not function properly in later life.
The fact that eczema has been identified as an immune system problem has resulted in the emergence of immune system suppressing medications. Topical treatments that suppress the immune system have become an often preferred substitute to topical steroids, given that they have less drastic side effects. Oral immune system suppressants are also in use, although only for the more severe cases of eczema. This is because these too can cause some adverse side effects, and their use requires regular blood tests so that your doctor can monitor how your body is reacting to them.
If all this sounds a bit too drastic and scary just to deal with a few skin rashes, then there are some safe and practical steps you can take to improve your condition. Over the counter moisturising lotions are always helpful, both at keeping the skin in good condition and at relieving the itching that accompanies eczema. Natural bath oils can be a good way of helping to promote healthy skin too, and can help to maintain the correct levels of the skins own natural oils.
In order to actually beat eczema permanently you will need a little more than a good skin care regime. As with any immune system problem, the source of the condition goes much deeper than the skin. Good skin care can play a pivotal role though, both in helping to deal with the symptoms of the disease and at addressing the root cause.
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