Eczema

As many as 30 million children and adults in the United States are affected by frequent skin irritation associated with eczema. Board-certified allergist-immunologist Thomas Fowler, MD, provides comprehensive testing and treatment at Allergy and Asthma of Prosper and Celina in Prosper, Texas. He understands how eczema impacts your life and offers diagnostic testing and treatment services to identify eczema triggers. Contact the office today by phone or by requesting an appointment online to learn more about the available eczema treatment options.

What is eczema?

Eczema is a group of skin conditions that leaves your skin irritated, red, and itchy. Affected areas of skin can also crack and weep fluids. 

There are several types of eczema. Each type is defined by what triggers your symptoms. The most common types that affect children and adults include:

• Atopic dermatitis
  Atopic dermatitis causes a red, itchy rash, most often on the inside of the elbows and behind the knees, due to immune system dysfunction, exposure to an allergen, or because of genetic factors.
• Contact dermatitis
  Contact dermatitis is eczema that irritates your skin when you come into contact certain substances, like dyes, chemicals, or poison ivy.
• Seborrheic dermatitis
  Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition where you develop a fungal infection in the protective oils on your skin.

Eczema symptoms can develop at any time and are especially common in infants. If you have a family history of eczema or a personal history of allergies, you may be at increased risk for developing eczema.

If not properly managed and treated, eczema can result in frequent and painful, open sores, and skin infections that can spread to other parts of your body.

How is eczema diagnosed?

If you have uncontrolled symptoms that you suspect may be related to eczema, Dr. Fowler offers on-site skin evaluations to confirm the cause of your symptoms.

In addition to reviewing your medical history and evaluating your overall skin health, Dr. Fowler offers comprehensive skin testing and blood testing for allergies to better understand what is triggering your eczema symptoms.

By identifying the root cause, Dr. Fowler can customize your treatment to help you find immediate and long-term relief.

How is eczema treated?

Dr. Fowler offers several treatment options for managing eczema. For many, topical medicines applied directly to the skin address persistent itchiness and inflammation.

In addition to calming skin irritation, Dr. Fowler may create a treatment plan that focuses on allergy triggers that contribute to eczema flare-ups. You might benefit from prescription systemic medications that suppress your immune system and prevent severe eczema symptoms.

To protect your skin’s health, Dr. Fowler offers resources for bathing and skin hygiene to prevent infections. He may also recommend high-quality lotions and creams to keep your skin moisturized.

If you’re bothered by persistent skin irritation or infections, contact Allergy and Asthma of Prosper and Celina today by calling the office or booking online.