{"id":630186,"date":"2024-11-07T09:30:04","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T14:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630186"},"modified":"2025-12-22T13:09:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T18:09:32","slug":"counseling-patients-with-eczema","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/counseling-patients-with-eczema\/","title":{"rendered":"Counseling patients with eczema"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to the <\/span>National Eczema Association<\/span>, 1 in 10 people will develop eczema in their lifetime, with most cases peaking during early childhood. <\/span>Eczema<\/span><\/a>\u2014also referred to as atopic dermatitis\u2014is a skin condition that causes itchiness, dry skin, rashes, scaly patches, and blisters. While there is no cure for eczema, there are ways to help relieve symptoms or prevent flare-ups.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eczema treatment includes lifestyle changes, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and prescription medications. Pharmacists can help patients manage their condition by discussing helpful lifestyle changes, recommending suitable OTC products, and educating patients on proper medication use.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read on to learn more about how pharmacists can support patients with eczema.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is eczema?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Eczema<\/span><\/a> is a disease characterized by skin inflammation, redness, and irritation. It can cause extreme itchiness, and when the skin is scratched, it can lead to redness, swelling, cracking, and scaling. The cause of eczema is unclear, but according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, genes, the immune system, and the environment are thought to be involved.<\/span><\/p>\n

While eczema usually develops in early childhood, it can occur at any age. In many cases, eczema is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes flare-ups throughout life. At this time, there is no cure for eczema, and treatment is focused on relieving symptoms and preventing flare-ups.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nonpharmacologic management of eczema<\/span><\/h2>\n

Regardless of the severity of eczema, pharmacists can recommend lifestyle changes to assist patients in managing their condition. These include identifying eczema triggers and implementing an effective moisturizing and bathing routine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Avoiding eczema triggers<\/span><\/h3>\n

Eczema symptoms start or flare up <\/span>due to<\/span><\/a> an environmental trigger. Pharmacists can help patients identify these triggers and develop strategies to avoid them.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the National Eczema Society, <\/span>there is minimal evidence<\/span><\/a> confirming which triggers produce flares. However, there are several possible culprits. Some of the <\/span>most common<\/span><\/a> eczema triggers in adults include:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n