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TO RELIEVE THE ITCHING (prevents further inflammation and secondary infection)
1). Antihistamines - Subdues allergic reaction. Common medications are Benadryl, Allegra, Claratin, Dermarest, and Allerdryl.
2). Topical Anesthetics - Produces numbing sensation on rash. Common medications are Benzocane, Lidocane, and Tetracaine.
3). Topical Antipruritics - Relieves itching. Common medications are Doxepin HCl, and Pramoxine HCl.
TO FIGHT SECONDARY INFECTION (caused from too much scratching!)
1). Antibiotics - Both topical and oral medications available. Common medications are Bacitracin-PolymyxinB (topical), Gentamicin Sulfate (topical), Azithromycin (oral), and Cephalexin (oral).
TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION
1). Topical Steroid Ointments and Creams - Range from very high potency to low potency, including names like Alphatrex and Hydrocortizone Acetate.
2). Glucocorticoids - Oral dose or injected. Used in severe allergy cases. Common medications include Betamethasone, Prednisone, and Hydrocortisone.
3). Keratolytics - topical treatments. Common medications include Coal Tar and Salicylic Acid.
4). Ultraviolet (UV) light treatment - used in serious cases to treat rash.
IMMUNOSUPRESSORS
1). Oral Cyclosporine- used in severe cases due to the risk of serious side effects. Acts by suppressing immune system response thus relieving allergic reaction.
BE SURE AND CHECK OUT THESE NEW MEDICATIONS!!!
1). Topical Immunomodulators - Known as TIMS, these drugs will be called either Tacrolimus or Ascomycin (Tacrolimus will be available in the US soon). TIMS are non-steroid alternatives with less side effects. They are predicted to successfully treat 80% of atopic eczema cases without the risks typically associated with steroid-based medications.
2). Protein Blocker - The Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati has recently announced the production of a drug that will block the protein, eotaxin, which is directly linked to allergic reaction with food. The drug works by blocking the protein from entering the gastrointestinal tract thus preventing an allergic reaction from taking place.
3). Anti-IgE Drug - This medication blocks the IgE antibody (thought to be involved in an eczematous allergic reaction) from reacting with the mast cell, which will halt subsequent allergic reactions from occurring.
Next month's article will focus on the alternative therapies available for treating atopic eczema. There are many different avenues to explore including nutritional therapy, herbs, and other natural solvents. As frustrating as I know it can be, I hope these series of articles will provide some hope in finding the right treatment for you or your child.
1). Antihistamines - Subdues allergic reaction. Common medications are Benadryl, Allegra, Claratin, Dermarest, and Allerdryl.
2). Topical Anesthetics - Produces numbing sensation on rash. Common medications are Benzocane, Lidocane, and Tetracaine.
3). Topical Antipruritics - Relieves itching. Common medications are Doxepin HCl, and Pramoxine HCl.
TO FIGHT SECONDARY INFECTION (caused from too much scratching!)
1). Antibiotics - Both topical and oral medications available. Common medications are Bacitracin-PolymyxinB (topical), Gentamicin Sulfate (topical), Azithromycin (oral), and Cephalexin (oral).
TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION
1). Topical Steroid Ointments and Creams - Range from very high potency to low potency, including names like Alphatrex and Hydrocortizone Acetate.
2). Glucocorticoids - Oral dose or injected. Used in severe allergy cases. Common medications include Betamethasone, Prednisone, and Hydrocortisone.
3). Keratolytics - topical treatments. Common medications include Coal Tar and Salicylic Acid.
4). Ultraviolet (UV) light treatment - used in serious cases to treat rash.
IMMUNOSUPRESSORS
1). Oral Cyclosporine- used in severe cases due to the risk of serious side effects. Acts by suppressing immune system response thus relieving allergic reaction.
BE SURE AND CHECK OUT THESE NEW MEDICATIONS!!!
1). Topical Immunomodulators - Known as TIMS, these drugs will be called either Tacrolimus or Ascomycin (Tacrolimus will be available in the US soon). TIMS are non-steroid alternatives with less side effects. They are predicted to successfully treat 80% of atopic eczema cases without the risks typically associated with steroid-based medications.
2). Protein Blocker - The Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati has recently announced the production of a drug that will block the protein, eotaxin, which is directly linked to allergic reaction with food. The drug works by blocking the protein from entering the gastrointestinal tract thus preventing an allergic reaction from taking place.
3). Anti-IgE Drug - This medication blocks the IgE antibody (thought to be involved in an eczematous allergic reaction) from reacting with the mast cell, which will halt subsequent allergic reactions from occurring.
Next month's article will focus on the alternative therapies available for treating atopic eczema. There are many different avenues to explore including nutritional therapy, herbs, and other natural solvents. As frustrating as I know it can be, I hope these series of articles will provide some hope in finding the right treatment for you or your child.
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