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Eczema
Eczema
(from
the
Greek,
to
boil
over)
is a
group of
skin
diseases
with one
major
common
theme:
an itchy
rash.
Eczema
can be
caused
by a
number
of
factors,
including
childhood
eczema (atopic
dermatitis),
skin
dryness
(xerotic
eczema),
poor
circulation
(stasis
dermatitis),
external
agents
(irritant
and
allergic
contact
dermatitis),
and
medications.
Another
cause of
itching
can be
from
kidney
failure
and
dialysis.
Often
times,
eczema
can be
easily
treated
using a
combination
of
topical
steroids
(anti-inflammatory
agents),
topical
immunomodulators
(Protopic,
Elidel;
anti-inflammatory
agents),
moisturizers,
oral
antihistamines
(to
treat
itching),
and cool
showers.
More
severe
disease
can be
treated
with
intramuscular
or oral
steroids,
phototherapy,
and
other
systemic
agents.
At
Somerset
Skin
Centre,
we treat
the
whole
range of
severity
using
the most
up-to-date
therapy.
Although
most
moisturizers
help,
Nouriva
(Ferndale
Laboratories)
is one
of the
most
efficacious
lotions.
This
cream
provides
a
combination
of the 3
essential
groups
of fats
that are
found in
the
skin,
helping
the skin
heal
much
faster.
Patients
with
severe
itching
and
eczema
respond
excellently
to
phototherapy;
narrow
band UVB
provides
the best
relief.
We have
extensive
hours to
accommodate
patients
and
their
schedules
for
light
treatments.
Patch
Testing
For
patients
with
chronic
eczema
or those
who do
not
respond
well to
therapy,
patch
testing
may be
indicated.
This
diagnostic
test
provides
information
regarding
possible
sources
of an
allergic
or
irritant
contact
dermatitis.
For this
diagnostic
test,
large
pieces
of
medical
tape
with
chemicals
applied
to small
disks
are
placed
on the
back of
unaffected
skin.
The
patches
remain
on the
person
for 2
days (48
hours)
and
removed.
Sensitivities
to the
chemical
agents
are
identified
at that
time,
and
patients
are
asked to
return
in 1-3
days for
a 2nd
reading.
Showers
and
baths
are not
permitted
during
the
patch
test,
but
patients
are
allowed
to
sponge
bathe.
At that
time,
literature
is
provided
to the
patient
regarding
his/her
sensitivities,
and the
patient
is
instructed
to avoid
these
chemicals.
Patients
follow
up in 2
weeks to
further
discuss
results
and
additional
treatment
options.
Patch
testing
is
different
from
allergy
testing.
Allergy
testing
allows
the
physician
to
identify
causes
of
allergies,
including
foods,
dust,
mites,
grass,
etc.
Patch
testing,
on the
other
hand,
helps
identify
causes
of
rashes.
For
example,
hair
dressers
are
often
sensitive
to
paraphenylenediamine,
a
substance
used in
hair
dyes;
atopic
dermatitis
patients
are
typically
sensitive
to
nickel.
Most
dermatologists
use the
pre-packaged
24 panel
Alloderm
True
Test
patch
test
kits,
primarily
because
of its
convenience.
However,
we have
found
that we
are only
able to
detect a
subset
of
relevant
allergens
using
the True
Test.
Thus, at
Somerset
Skin
Centre,
we
perform
a 65
panel
patch
test
that is
used and
approved
by the
North
American
Contact
Dermatitis
Group.
In
addition
to
standard
allergens,
we test
for
steroid
sensitivities,
preservatives,
rubber
products,
metals,
and
clothing
dyes.
We patch
test for
the
following:
Patch
Test
Allergens Table |
