Atopic dermatitis (also commonly referred to as eczema) is a condition that affects many children across the United States and around the world. If you have been dealing with your child having mysterious rashes for a while, getting the diagnosis of eczema may at least help you to feel like you are not alone in your struggles. However, you may also not know what you can or should do to help your child deal with their eczema. Read on to learn some important facts to know in order to help your child now and in the future. 

Eczema Is Chronic

The first thing to keep in mind about eczema is that it is a chronic condition. This means that it will not simply go away when the visible signs of rash go away. Repeat flare-ups are always possible and are likely. This is not meant to discourage you. It is only meant to give you a clear picture of what you are dealing with. The eczema rashes will almost certainly come back, but you will now know what they are and how to handle them. 

Topical Medications Often Help

Depending on the severity and the location of the eczema flare-up, topical medications are usually the first line of defense. You can apply these medications directly to the rash. They provide some itch and pain relief and can also help to shorten the life of the rash. For example, one type of medication that may be prescribed is a topical steroid. Steroids are anti-inflammatory medications designed to reduce inflammation in the tissues. Eczema is inflammatory. As such, the medication works to help reduce the size and severity of the rash.

Other types of topical medications that may be prescribed include PDE4 inhibitors and calcineurin inhibitors. These drugs block or inhibit certain reactions in the body that could be contributing to your child's eczema.

Light Therapy Is Also an Option

Another option for treating your child's eczema is known as light therapy or phototherapy. A machine emits certain types of UV rays (light) aimed at the body to help reduce the eczema symptoms and hopefully help the rashes go away faster. 

The machine can be used for eczema that has spread over large portions of the body but can also be used for a smaller area as well. Light therapy is often a second-line treatment after topical medications because topical medications can be applied at home but phototherapy requires doctor visits for each session. It can take several months of treatment to get results in some cases. 

Now that you know what to expect when your child has eczema, you can be sure you are doing everything you can to help them manage their skin condition. For more information, contact resources that provide atopic dermatitis disease resources.