Many of you or your family members must have asked ‘Should I use steroid for eczema?’. It pains me to see many young and old suffer from serious eczema, scratching till they bleed but yet will not consider how to calm sensitive skin with a short treatment with appropriate steroid cream from a trusted dermatologist.
I once suffered from eczema at the corner of my mouth. Possibly triggered by heat from an heated indoor pool while I swam in London during winter. The tiny area around my mouth flared up to cover an area 8-10 times of its original area. I was at my wit’s end. I still remember vividly ~ where I stood in front of the hospital reception, pleading the kind lady to help suggest a possible dermatologist who could help with my condition. This led me to my family trusted dermatologist.
My take on this is, while we try to figure out the possible trigger/s of eczema, finding natural treatments and strengthen our immunity with appropriate food and lifestyle, we should keep it under control. At least to keep the person in the appropriate frame of mind and confidence in handling it.
Let’s find out what is the chemical structure of steroid and how it helps to calm eczema biochemically?
Corticosteroids is a class of steroid hormones produced in the adrenal cortex, as well as synthetic analogues of these hormones.It helps to reduce inflammation and hence calm eczema.
Are topical steroids safe?
Topical steroids are safe and effective if used under supervision of the doctor. The likelihood of the side effects depends on the potency of the prescription. Hydrocortisone 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5% or 1% will unlikely cause adverse side effects on the face or in young children.
Nevertheless, it is important to know some of its side effects. Steroids can think the skin, blood vessels may become more prominent and the skin can lose its elasticity, developing ‘stretch marks’.
Are there some natural ways to ease eczema?
In managing eczema, it is important to keep the skin barrier well moisturized, reduce soaps and detergents, avoid hot water that dries out skin and manage stress.
It is well known that anxiety cause eczema to flare up. A study, from the South Bank University in London, recently compared the use of massage with oil or without oil in the treatment of eczema. The results showed that children who received massage from their mothers improved in their eczema regardless of whether oils were used or not. Suggesting stress reducing aspect of the treatment that worked rather than oils themselves.
Read also on healthy food for good skin and meditation to good skin.
Hope you found this article as part of Skincare Singapore useful. By the way, highly recommend Dr. Lim Kah Beng from Gleneagles. He is indeed a very kind and experienced dermatologist.
