Back toUpdated on October 25, 2024
Though pediatric eczema can be controlled for many patients, flare-ups can still occur, especially among children with moderate to severe pediatric eczema. In this video, Tanya Altmann, MD, discusses how medications can help patients and parents get symptoms under control.
Medically reviewed in February 2020.
Transcript
Sometimes with children, despite our best treatment, they're still suffering from flare ups.
There are several medications we use to treat kids with moderate to severe eczema, and usually that involves a topical cream that you'll
put on the irritated inflamed areas of skin. Some are prescription, and some are over-the-counter.
Some are steroid-based, and some are non-steroid based creams. Which ever cream we recommend, typically
needs to be put on the area twice a day for a few days to a few weeks.
Sometimes we have to take a step back and try to figure out what is causing the eczema, the dry irritated skin
in the child. So it might be something that they're allergic to in which case we could try to eliminate that trigger from their environment.
Also sometimes it's something that the child is exercising, such as exercising, and sweat is causing irritation of the skin. Well, we don't want to have the kids stop exercising,
but we might say let's wash the skin off with a mild body wash and then put that thick ointment or cream on
to help lock in the moisture. Until recently, there were no injectable medications
on the market for children when it comes to moderate to severe eczema, but recently one of the products that has been used for adult eczema
has been FDA approved down to age 12. If your child has severe eczema despite all the recommendations
from your pediatrician, your allergist, your dermatologist, go ahead and ask them about newer medications,
such as injectables, because it might be an option to help your child. [MUSIC PLAYING]
