Eczema Treatment, Causes, Types, Symptoms, Medication And Facts

Eczema is a broad term which is used to describe a number of dermatological problems. Basically, the word “eczema” refers to skin which is cracked, itchy, flaky, dry, etc. Sometimes, severe cases also involve the oozing of puss or even blood. There are a number of creams, ointments, and other remedies on the market. But most recently, a new skin laser has been FDA approved to treat this condition. It is offered by some plastic surgeons and dermatologists. Let’s take a closer look at this new treatment method.

What is the XTRAC laser?
It is manufactured by PhotoMedex and marketed under the brand name XTRAC excimer laser system. On November 30th, 2000, it became the first laser treatment approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of eczema.

What are its benefits?
There are a number of reasons why both plastic surgeons and patient alike enjoy using this laser. First of all, each treatment only takes a few minutes. Typically, anywhere from four to ten treatments are necessary to achieve the maximum results. Once the treatment cycle has been completed, the results might last up to several months. Because the light is delivered through a targeted fiber optic system, the nearby healthy skin doesn’t have to be exposed to dangerous UV rays. It’s also a great alternative to some of the oral meds which can lead to liver damage and birth defects for pregnant women.

How much does it cost?
Unfortunately, like most modern medical treatments, the XTRAC laser is not cheap. Some people feel that dermatologists and plastic surgery clinics are ripping off patients with the prices they charge for laser treatment, but it’s important to remember that those laser devices cost them tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Therefore, they have to charge the patients a lot in order to recoup their costs. So in this industry, it’s usually the manufacturer’s high prices which contribute to laser treatments being so costly.

Where to get it?
Since it’s a specialty device and because of its hefty price tag, it simply isn’t practical for every skin doctor or plastic surgeon to have one. However, there are many dermatological clinics which specialize in skin care that should have this laser on hand. It’s a good idea to call around your area to see who has it. According to posters at PlasticSurgerySpot.com (a directory of plastic surgery message boards) the prices at doctors offices are always negotiable; talk with each practice that offers it and see if you can knock a couple hundred bucks off a package of treatments.

Eczema in babies is very difficult to handle – this for the parents who are taking care of the babies and the babies themselves. Apart it just being painful and very uncomfortable for the babies, parents undergo through stress, strain, worry and emotions that are not good. The baby gets less sleep which gives the parents less sleep when they try and pacify the baby – thereby contributing to their fatigue. To handle the baby with eczema well, the parents must be aware of how a baby with it must be taken care of.

When babies have eczema they start to get very dry skin called xerosis. If this dry skin is regulated, it will make the experience easier for the baby. The remedy for doing that is to add bath oil in the baby’s bath water and let the baby soak in it for a few minutes a day. There is a misconception that when babies are allowed to soak in their bath water that their skin will get over dry. But the adding of the bath oil, not only prevents this but it also makes it beneficial for the baby’s skin.

When the skin itches, it is a natural reaction to scratch which aggravates it and causes a rash. The baby will naturally tend to scratch. To prevent that, eczema cream must be applied to baby’s skin after being bathed. It must be done at this time because the skin will be moist and soft which will allow the cream to only work better. Another alternative to prevent the children from scratching their wounds is to cut their nails and to cover their hands. Babies tend to scratch more when they are asleep. These can be socks or even mittens but anything that is soft that will do. If incase the baby scratches and it leads to an infection, then a doctor must be called or seen immediately. If not treated, there is a very good chance of infection occurring.

The clothes that the baby is made to wear can make a big difference. Cotton is the best for a baby that has eczema. Also one must remember to cut of tags from new clothes. Wearing undergarments inside out help as the seams don’t irritate the skin. Clothes must be washed using only a mild detergent and must be rinsed well before hanging out to dry so that the detergent completely goes off the clothes. Toys that the baby plays must not be the kind that can scratch the skin and irritate especially sharp ones. Even the otherwise the material they are made from must be smooth and not rough.

Another very important part of the effort is the food that the baby eats. As the baby grows and is given new food, this must be done slowly and one at a time. A mass change of diet can be too fast for the baby’s system. If it is slow, one can evaluate what food the body will react badly to.