The eczema treatment of choice for several decades has been to prescribe one of the many topical corticosteroid creams or ointments. The annoying skin condition does ordinarily respond well to these treatments but there’s unwanted side effects to their use that are not regularly explained to sufferers. Corticosteroid use has both localized and systemic unwanted effects, particularly with long term or repeated usage.
The most typical localized side effect is hypopigmentation, which is a fancy term meaning skin that is lighter than usual. You will often see the consequences of this on eczema sufferers within the crease of the arms where it is mostly found. This effect is more noticeable in the summertime when an individual tans and can be blemished or dirty looking. Another common side effect of an eczema treatment involving steroid lotions is that the skin becomes thinned after long term use. These medicines are supposed to be used for a short period or periodically, not on a daily long-term basis.
Systemic unwanted side effects to eczema treatment are regularly seen with infants or small children, but can also appear in adults after very lengthy periods of use or overuse. The adrenal glands can become suppressed and growth could be hindered. Steroid medicinal drugs ought to be held as a final choice with very young kids and then used for as short a time period as possible avoiding systemic effects.
If you do have to treat yourself or your child for eczema, use the least powerful form available for the type of skin condition you have. Also ensure you treat for only as long as needed. Bear in mind, with these creams, more isn’t necessarily good. You should use a thin coating of the ointment, not slathering it on excessively. Leave these medicinal drugs as a final alternative and you’ll often avoid the need to use one at all.
