Did you know that over 31 million people in the US suffer from eczema?

Eczema is the most common skin condition and there are several different types, with atopic dermatitis (AD) being the most common type. Symptoms of eczema or AD can be mild to severe and include dryness, itch, redness, skin breakdown and scarring, skin infections and crusting, skin pain, and poor sleep due to symptoms. Many patients also suffer from emotional and mental health issues related to their condition.

Thankfully, treatment of AD has advanced significantly in recent years. The first focus is usually aggressive moisturization and repairing the skin barrier.  There are also numerous safe and effective topical treatment options that can be used. Finally, we have specialized medicines such as biologics that can be effective in treating the most severe eczema in patients as young as 6 months of age. It is a common misconception that food allergies cause eczema, and thankfully most of the time, food avoidance is not necessary. Poor eczema control has been linked to poor sleep and difficulty concentrating at school or work. If you or your child are struggling with uncontrolled eczema, consult with your allergist about your symptoms and discuss what treatment options might be right for you!