Eczema

in Fargo, North Dakota

It’s estimated that over 30 million Americans have some form of eczema. This chronic skin condition can be extremely difficult to manage day-to-day and can require the help of your dermatologist. Fortunately, Dr. Ness can create the best treatment plan for you using the latest in eczema management and treatments.

What is Eczema?

Eczema is the term for a set of skin conditions that affect the skin by causing it to become inflamed, itchy, and red. These symptoms can manifest on many different areas of the body (including the scalp, face, arms, backs of the legs, and wrists) and can come and go throughout your lifetime. These are usually called ‘flare-ups’. Most often, eczema in children will go away as they become older. However, it can remain as an adult. Eczema is not contagious, and you cannot catch it from someone else.

What Causes Eczema?

The exact causes of eczema in people that have it are unknown. It’s believed that it can be a combination of factors like genetics, autoimmune responses, and skin function. Because of this, eczema can commonly occur in families. It’s also associated with other health conditions like asthma or allergies. There are some known things that cause eczema to flare up, including skin irritants. It’s important to know these triggers so that you can avoid them.

How is Eczema Treated?

There is no cure for eczema, but you can benefit from some treatments. These, however, can depend on your unique symptoms and type of eczema. There are many types, including:

• Atopic dermatitis
• Contact dermatitis
• Dyshidrotic eczema
• Nummular eczema
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Stasis dermatitis

These types can come with different treatment options, so you should be sure to get a diagnosis from Dr. Ness and discuss your options. Most often, over-the-counter or prescription medications can help to mitigate symptoms, as well as a professional-grade skincare regimen. Additionally, some professional skincare treatments can help to reduce flareups using phototherapy and our excimer laser system. Many patients benefit from excimer treatments because it comes with fewer side effects and little downtime.

Eczema Maintenance

Living with eczema can be difficult and require a lot of steps. For this reason, it’s important to meet with Dr. Ness to discuss how to best manage your symptoms. Along with medications to suppress flareups and products to help keep your skin healthy, you should also keep note of your specific triggers. Some common ones include:

• Dryness
• Irritants like cleaners and disinfectants
• Common allergens
• Stress
• Hot or cold temperatures
• Season

It can be helpful to keep a journal of possible triggers and your reactions so that you and Dr. Ness can assess your treatment options. For some patients, eczema can be a life-long condition, so it’s highly important to learn what steps to take to prevent flare-ups.

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Schedule A Consultation

Eczema can be difficult to live with, so enlisting the help of a board certified dermatologist can be one of the best steps you can take. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Ness and discuss the right treatment plan for you, contact our Fargo office by calling or filling out our online form.

For information on Atopic Dermatitis and Atopic Eczema view our online resources.