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Doctors and Healthcare Providers Who Can Help You Manage Your Eczema
There’s no cure for eczema or atopic dermatitis, but having a strong support network in place can help you limit triggers and ease your symptoms. By Lauren BedoskyMedically Reviewed by Ross Radusky, MDReviewed: April 20, 2021Medically ReviewedDermatologists may not be the only doctors on your eczema team. They often coordinate care with allergists, primary care physicians, and pediatricians.Getty ImagesPeople with skin conditions like eczema and atopic dermatitis have to stay alert in order to avoid the triggers that lead to red, itchy, inflamed skin. If you have eczema or atopic dermatitis, you’re no doubt familiar with the annoying — and sometimes painful — ordeal of managing symptoms. Treating eczema and atopic dermatitis and preventing flare-ups can be confusing and overwhelming. That's why it’s important to find doctors and healthcare providers who can answer your questions, offer recommendations for avoiding triggers and easing symptoms, and prescribe treatments if needed. Fortunately, there are many experts out there who can do just that. Here’s who they are, and how they can help. RELATED: Eczema and Diet: Foods to Eat and Avoid to Prevent Flare-Ups
Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms and Causes
Eczema and atopic dermatitis may seem like two different names for the same condition — and indeed, the terms are often used interchangeably — but there are differences. Eczema refers to a group of inflammatory skin conditions that count red, itchy, skin as symptoms, according to the National Eczema Association (NEA). We don’t know the exact cause of eczema, but we do know that allergens or irritants prompt the immune system to work overtime. This hyperactive immune response leads to inflammation, which ultimately results in red, itchy skin. There are several different types of eczema, but atopic dermatitis is the most common, per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that usually starts in childhood and often runs in families, says Samer Jaber, MD, the founder of Washington Square Dermatology in New York City. Some kids outgrow their atopic dermatitis as they get older, but others continue to have symptoms into adulthood, notes the NEA. Atopic dermatitis is especially common in people with allergies and hay fever. Itchy skin is the hallmark symptom of atopic dermatitis, and rashes and dry skin are common, says the NEA. When people who have the condition itch their skin, rashes can ooze and bleed, which can lead to infection. While atopic dermatitis can’t be cured, there are many doctors and healthcare providers who can help you manage your symptoms. RELATED: Is Honey the Secret to Clear Skin if You Have Eczema? Building Your Own Eczema Care Team
Since eczema and atopic dermatitis are skin conditions, it makes sense that any care team would include a dermatologist. A dermatologist can help you develop a skin-care plan to prevent flares and reduce symptoms when they do appear, according to the AAD. This plan may include recommendations for skin-care and household products that are eczema-friendly, prescription or over-the-counter treatments for severe eczema and atopic dermatitis, and tips for avoiding triggers. Your dermatologist may also refer you to other specialists if needed, or work alongside other doctors and healthcare providers to help you manage your symptoms. “Allergists, primary care physicians, and pediatricians often coordinate care with dermatologists in the treatment of atopic dermatitis,” says Lauren Ploch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Augusta, Georgia. Allergists, for example, are trained to treat inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and atopic dermatitis, which are often tied to allergies, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Your allergist can help you identify possible irritants to avoid, and recommend effective treatments to find relief from symptoms. RELATED: 8 Ways to Avoid Eczema Flare-Ups in the Summer Eczema and atopic dermatitis are common in babies and children (about 13 percent of all children in the United States have atopic dermatitis, per the NEA). If you have eczema or atopic dermatitis, or have a child with a skin condition, you can start by talking with your primary care provider or pediatrician about how to manage symptoms. You can also locate a specialist through any of the following organizations:American Academy of DermatologyAmerican College of Asthma and ImmunologyAmerican Academy of PediatricsNational Eczema Association RELATED: Can Apple Cider Vinegar Help Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis? NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Healthy Skin Newsletter
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