Eczema

Many times the treatment decisions for different diseases are built not only on high quality evidence based on medicine, but also in combination with patient preference, so to say. Eczema treatments pose a similar approach possibility given the fact that the type of eczema, the patient’s background and the genetic predisposition have a word to say in the matter.

Specialists often speak of the eczema treatments triangle to define a more special form of addressing the condition. The three elements of this treatment scheme for eczema are: evidence-based medicine, treatment based on evidence and clinical experience, and patient preference. From the perspective of the medical tradition, the eczema treatments will include topical immuno-modulators, topical corticosteroids, interferon gamma, PUVA and UVB. The eczema treatments used starting from the clinical experience include oral antibiotics and antihistamines, topical antibiotics and immuno-modulators, the use of proper moisturizers and the avoidance of possible irritants.

In the resistant cases, oral or IM steroids, UVB, PUVA, cyclosporine, or methotrexate will be also used. When the patient preference scheme is taken into consideration, it is necessary for the doctor to discuss and work with the patient. Treatment has to be adapted to each individual patient in close connection with the details of the doctor-patient consultation. Lots of people claim that one medication or another simply doesn’t work for them, and this aspect needs medical tests too.

Here are some explanations why the different eczema treatments seem to be useless for some patients. Sticky moisturizers or those produced by no-name companies are often poorly tolerated by eczema patients who could develop side effects like skin burning and itching. Some patients know what products to choose, and they prefer to stick to a certain brand. When cortisone is concerned the reaction to the same substance concentration differs from case to case. There are patients with eczema who will not use cortisone. Although many in this category have not had personal experience of side effects of cortisone, they have a fear of thinning the skin and worry about systemic effects.

Thinning of the skin and purpura are indeed some real side effects in some patients’ inappropriate use of cortisone. If it was not the strength of the drug, then it may have been used in the wrong place or it has been used too much for too long. People have to be informed about the adverse reactions to systemic drugs in order to know what to expect from eczema treatments on the long run. Among the eczema treatments on the market, some may inhibit the patients’ choice simply by their cost and length of use.

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