POLLEN COUNT
Eczema is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition affecting 31 million Americans–children and adults. The most common form is atopic dermatitis which develops in reaction to substances in the environment. If you think you have symptoms of eczema, you should consult an allergist.
Let’s learn more about the symptoms and causes,how an allergy specialist can help you manage eczema, and where you can go for the effective treatment of eczema in Northeast Illinois.
Symptoms of Eczema
Eczema is an autoimmune disorder–the body’s natural defenses against toxins and disease overreact to ordinary environmental
conditions and substances. Symptoms suddenly turn on or flare up with weather extremes, such as high heat and humidity or frigid temperatures. Or, the eczema sufferer may touch or inhale something, such as a furry animal, particular fabric, or perfume, and the skin responds with:
- Redness
- Extreme itchiness
- Dryness
- Oozing
- Roughness and scaling
Areas of eczema develop quickly and may be widespread over various parts of the body, such as the backs of the knees, the inner aspects of the elbows, the lower legs, the face, and the scalp.
The National Eczema Association reports that people in their twenties and those over the age of 50 are more likely to develop this chronic but non-contagious skin problem. However, even babies and very young children can as well. Whatever the age of the individual, proper diagnosis and ongoing treatment help avoid the discomfort, unsightly appearance, and even skin infections eczema can cause.
Eczema Treatments from an Allergy Specialist
Since proper management of eczema symptoms and their flare-ups is important to overall health and well-being, people with symptoms should try to identify their eczema triggers.
Allergists are experts on the skin, respiratory, and even digestive symptoms which occur suddenly due to sensitivities to food, pollen, smoke, animal dander, and more. These board-certified physicians are fully equipped to test people for a wide range of allergies, making them better choices than skin doctors or dermatologists, who are the experts on the skin only.
Dermatologists diagnose and treat skin cancer and chronic conditions of the skin, such as acne and psoriasis. They are the go-to doctors for annual skin exams, reconstruction after severe burns or lacerations, and for excellent aesthetic treatments to improve skin texture and pigmentation.
Identifying Eczema Triggers
To identify the underlying causes for your eczema, your allergy specialist will ask you when they occur (so keep a journal of symptoms if possible), review your overall medical history and medications, and then test you for common allergens, such as pollen, mold, pet dander, certain foods and more.
Allergy tests typically involve skin pricks which place minute amounts of possible triggers under the skin. The doctor examines or reads the patches, looking for signs of allergic reaction–redness, warmth, and swelling.
From there, your allergist can recommend ways to control your eczema. Common strategies include:
- Immunotherapy or allergy shots
- Moisturizing creams
- Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
- Immunosuppressant drugs
- Biologics
- Phototherapy
Your Allergy Specialists in Downers Grove, Plainfield, Naperville, and Elmhurst, Illinoi
You can take control of your eczema by getting the specialized help of the board-certified allergists at Oak Brook Allergists in Northeast Illinois. We understand how eczema can make life difficult, and we make sure you or your child experiences relief from the very first visit. We offer a range of treatment options and will let you know what we think is best for you or your child.
To schedule an appointment with one of our allergy doctors, call our allergy clinic today at (630) 574-0460 or use our convenient online request form.
