What to do if your child has eczema

The most common symptom of eczema is unbearable itching, so many patients will scratch directly with their hands when they feel itchy. Scratching can only temporarily relieve the itching symptoms, but the eczema will soon worsen. So if you have eczema, don't scratch it. Just apply ointment when it itches. It is best for children with eczema to go to a professional skin hospital for treatment. Below are some common treatment methods.

Internal Therapy

The purpose of treating eczema is to fight inflammation and relieve itching. Commonly used ones include antihistamines and sedatives. In the acute phase, calcium, vitamin C, sodium thiosulfate can be injected intravenously, or procaine can be used for intravenous blockade. For patients with acute generalized eczema who have not responded to multiple therapies, short-term use of corticosteroids may be considered. Once the acute symptoms are under control, the dosage should be reduced or withdrawn as appropriate to prevent adverse reactions caused by long-term use of hormones. If there is infection, appropriate antibiotics should be considered.

Topical treatments

Appropriate dosage forms should be selected according to the symptoms. Topical medications should be selected according to the needs and characteristics of the rash, including cleansing, antipruritic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, astringent and keratinizing agents.

When there is no exudation in acute eczema, calamine lotion can be used. When there is a lot of exudation, 3% boric acid solution can be used as cold wet compress. When the exudate is reduced, creams containing corticosteroids and wet compresses can be used alternately.

For subacute eczema, bran distillate oil, black bean distillate oil, and emulsions and pastes containing corticosteroids are generally used. In order to prevent and control secondary infection, antibiotics such as neomycin can be added to the above-mentioned drugs.

Chronic eczema is often treated with bran oil, black bean oil, coal tar and corticosteroid ointments or creams. These drugs can also be made into plasters or film-forming agents. In addition, localized hypertrophic lesions can be treated with local intradermal injections of corticosteroids. Once a week, generally 4 to 6 times as a course of treatment.

Chinese Medicine

There are many ways to treat eczema with traditional Chinese medicine, and the treatment varies according to the symptoms at different stages. In case of acute eczema with severe dampness and heat, redness, swelling and exudation, it is advisable to clear away heat and purge fire, cool blood and remove dampness. The prescription can be Longdan Xiegan Decoction with modifications. For subacute eczema, it is advisable to strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness. The prescription can be modified from Chushi Weiling Decoction. For chronic eczema, it is advisable to nourish blood and dispel wind, promote blood circulation and moisten dryness. The prescription can be Siwu Xiaofeng Decoction with modifications.

Acupuncture

Commonly used acupoints include Quchi, Zusanli, Weizhong, and Xuehai; ear acupuncture points include lung point, Shenmen, subcortical point, and endocrine point.

Patients with eczema must be careful not to take a bath with too hot water, or use shower gel or shampoo, as this will only aggravate the eczema instead of improving it. Eczema can easily be aggravated by internal or external factors, so make sure you get enough sleep. The diet must be light and avoid spicy foods.