Steroids As An Eczema Treatment
Steroids are a very hot topic amoung eczema sufferers and skin care experts alike. Some eczema sufferers swear by them. Others prefer to use alternative, often natural, remedies. Deciding to use steroids is a personal decision, and it is important that you understand them thoroughly when making your choice.
Steroids are used to reduce inflammation and itching. They are only prescribed by a doctor. Although you can buy some creams without a prescription, you are not going to find these as helpful as the ones you get from your doctor. Steroids typically come in two forms, external steroids and internal steroids.
External, or topical, steroid creams and ointments are ideal for certain types of eczema. For example, they are great as a contact dermatitis treatment. This is because contact dermatitis typically happens on a much localized part of your skin. It is highly likely that it is not a very large portion of skin that is affected, so it is easy to apply the ointment and maintain the treatment.
Internal steroids are indicated when there is a large area of skin that must be treated. In these cases, steroids are taken via injection or pill. They circulate into the blood stream and reduce inflammation from the inside out.
Steroids are not recommended for some types of eczema. For example, eyelid and facial eczema occur in very delicate areas and on very delicate skin. Your skin is naturally thinner in these locations and more prone to discoloration or texture changes. Because steroids can thin and discolor the skin, you will probably be unhappy with your results in these areas.
If you are cautious about using steroids, you may want to look into alternative remedies. Many people are finding success using natural alternatives. They feel these are safer with less side affects. Your skin care expert should be able to recommend natural alternatives that you can use, if you would like to try them before escalating to steroids.