Eczema
Overview
Eczema (also known as dermatitis) is a long-term (chronic) condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry, and cracked.
It usually affects areas where we have skin folds, including behind the knees and inside the elbows, around the neck, and around the eyes. It sometimes appears on the hands and feet.
Eczema is generally stable, but symptoms worsen during a ‘flare-up’ and you may find that your, or your child’s skin is hot, red, and itchy and may be weeping or swollen. You may also notice that certain things trigger such ‘flares’ including hot temperatures, wearing synthetic fabrics, or bathing with certain soaps.
The cause of eczema is not clear, but it very often affects people with asthma or allergies such as hay fever. It can also run in families. In rare cases, eczema can also develop later in life, and may be allergic in origin.
Symptoms
Eczema usually starts in infancy, affecting up to 20% of children, but 80% of the cases clear up by the age of 7. However, it may sometimes continue into adolescence or adulthood.
Diagnosis
Eczema is diagnosed most often during a clinical examination. The dermatologist will assess and grade your condition. They will thereafter discuss all available management options to alleviate your symptoms.
Treatment
It is important to speak to a dermatologist and get advice on how to manage your eczema optimally, as it may cause long-term skin damage.
Things that may help manage the symptoms of eczema include using gentle, non-perfumed soaps, and moisturizing several times a day using a basic emollient. An emollient is a cream that moisturizes the skin and repairs its barrier. It also helps soften the skin and reduce itching. Regulated sun exposure can also improve eczema, but it is important to also protect the skin to prevent it from burning or from sun damage. Scratching can worsen the symptoms and cause infection, so it is important to avoid this.
If the eczema is caused by an allergy, then it is important to first identify the cause and try to eliminate or avoid it. In some cases, antihistamines may help.
Other treatment options are available for more severe cases of eczema. These include topical agents such as steroid or other medicinal creams. Your dermatologist will advise how to correctly apply these to avoid potential side effects.
Antibiotics are rarely needed in case of an infection. Your dermatologist may also suggest using an antibacterial oil or cream in the bath.
Why GMI
At the GMI, a dedicated team of highly specialized and sub-specialized dermatologists will address your skin concerns, guiding you through your entire journey, from your consultation and diagnostic work-up to your treatment and post-treatment care.
The GMI team will never offer a simple “one size fits all” approach to any patient. We believe each patient’s case is as individual as they are, and strive to find the best treatment plan for each of our patients, taking their case and diagnosis, their lifestyle, and choices into account. To determine the best course of action, each patient’s case is discussed in a multidisciplinary board, where indicated, where several experts with different specialties come together to create your comprehensive treatment plan.
We have invested in advanced technology for the early diagnosis, monitoring, and management of your skin condition. Some of these include digital dermoscopy, artificial intelligence mole mapping, laser treatments as well as tools used in minimally invasive approaches. Any further investigation you may require can also be performed at the GMI, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans and positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET / CT), , histopathology (for biopsies) or blood investigations done in our laboratory, and more.
Our specialized doctors offer a full spectrum of treatment options including minimally invasive procedures, skin surgery, laser treatments, but also radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and advanced systemic therapies, and new treatments such as immuno/chemo-therapy treatments for advanced cases.
We believe each of our patients is more than their diagnosis. We therefore offer dedicated teams supporting our patients by offering more than just expert medical care, through a wholistic approach. These services include psychological help, integrative medical services (including yoga classes, and acupuncture) physiotherapy, and rehabilitation services, as well as a GMI Patient Advocacy Program.
Adhering to our passion for innovation, and desire to progress the medical field, the GMI Department of Dermatology both initiates and participates in several clinical trials in which the most modern and advanced treatment concepts are tested.
