Skin Allergies and Product Recommendations Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is an allergic skin condition associated with dry itchy skin and a red rash. Eczema commonly affects young children, even in the first few months of life, but the symptoms may continue into adulthood. Moisturizers The foundation of eczema care is moisturizing, and when more severe, anti-inflammatory topical treatment. In terms of moisturizers, the multitude of options makes choosing the right one very difficult. Some options are far better than others, however, and it is important to begin by focusing on the types of moisturizers. There are three types of moisturizers: lotions, creams and ointments. Ointments tend to be clear and thick in consistency, such as Aquaphor. Creams are also thick but are usually white in color, such as Eucerin. Moisturizing lotions are the thinnest option and can actually dry the skin, making eczema more difficult to treat. For this reason, ointments and creams are the best options for moisturizing skin. It is also important to find a moisturizer that minimizes “extra” ingredients such as alcohols, parabens, formaldehyde, perfumes and dyes. These chemicals can irritate the skin and serve little purpose in a topical moisturizer. Considering safety, cost, and effectiveness, below is a table of some excellent over-the-counter moisturizers. Table 1: Recommended Moisturizers Name Type Size Typical Cost Where to Buy Product Website Eucerin Original Crème Cream 16 oz. $15 All pharmacies www.eucerinus.com Aquaphor Healing Ointment Ointment 14 oz. $14 All pharmacies www.eucerinus.com Vanicream Moisturizing Cream Cream 16 oz. $14 CVS, Walgreens, product website www.psico.com Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream Cream 16 oz. $14 All pharmacies www.cetaphil.com CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Cream 16 oz. $14 All pharmacies www.cerave.com Shampoos Parents and patients are also curious about optimal shampoo options. As with moisturizers, it is important to avoid unnecessary chemicals with these products. Use of harsh shampoos can lead to excessive dryness and increased eczema, and some of the most common shampoos fall into this category. Fortunately there are several excellent options available for optimal shampoo use. Many of the companies that produce excellent moisturizers are equally adept at producing effective shampoos. Coal-tar extracts are often used in “eczema” shampoos to treat common symptoms. While less effective compared to prescription medications, coal-tar products work well to treat inflammation and have few side effects. They are particularly useful for a red and itchy scalp. Neutrogena produces an excellent over-the-counter option with their T-Gel shampoo. This is an excellent option, but other shampoos can be equally effective. Vanicream produces a shampoo that is free of common chemical irritants, much like their moisturizing cream. Neutrogena products are available at numerous pharmacies, while the Vanicream shampoo is available via online stores (e.g. drugstore.com or diapers.com) or through the parent company website:www.psico.com. Occasionally, eczema that affects the scalp must be treated with prescription medications to decrease the redness and itching. If the above shampoos are ineffective one might consider using a topical anti-inflammatory medication like Desonide. It is worth focusing on this particular medication because it is available as a lotion that is easier to apply. In fact, this is the only instance where a topical lotion is recommended for eczema care. As a prescription medication, a physician must provide the medication, but Desonide is an excellent option for scalp eczema that is difficult to treat. Soaps Since moisturizing is the foundation of eczema care, proper bathing and the use of moisturizers and soaps is very important. However, it is equally important to choose the best products and to avoid the products that could worsen any underlying eczema. This is particularly true for soaps/cleansers, as many of these products can increase water loss by drying the skin. Soaps that contain perfumes, dyes or alcohols are troublesome, along with those that contain food proteins. For example, some exfoliating soaps use nut or oat products that pose a risk to those that are allergic to these foods. It is always important to avoid harsh exfoliating soaps as they can irritate sensitive skin. That being said, oatmeal-based soaps can be quite soothing for suffering individuals. Soaps that are tear-free are also helpful for younger children, and most of the mildest soaps and cleansers are also tear-free. Patients and parents have many options to choose from when it comes to soaps, including liquid and bar soap options. The table below includes some liquid and solid bar soap selections, all of which are easy to obtain over-the-counter. Name Type Size Typical Cost Where to Buy Product Website Aquaphor Gentle Wash Liquid 8 oz. $6.99 All pharmacies www.eucerinus.com Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar Bar 4.5 oz. $3.99 All pharmacies www.cetaphil.com Vanicream Cleansing Bar Bar 3.9 oz. $3.29 CVS, Walgreens, product website www.psico.com Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment Dissolvable bath powder 8 individual packets $6.99 All pharmacies www.aveeno.com   ...read more