Q I'm a 20-year-old girl and I have eczema on parts of my body. My doctor told me to apply moisturiser to my skin and to avoid scratching. I also have chicken pox scars and acne scars on my body.
What can I do to solve these problems completely?
A I assume that your eczema is endogenous: in other words, it is not the result of an allergic reaction to something that you have come into physical contact with in your environment. Endogenous eczema has a strong genetic component and it therefore has no cure.
Nevertheless, it can be adequately treated and controlled. The diligent use of a fragrance-free moisturiser is essential in the management of eczema. It replenishes the skin barrier, which is defective in people with endogenous eczema.
In addition, applying a steroid cream will help to clear the inflammation and reduce itch significantly. Please consult your doctor for an appropriate steroid cream to use. Although scratching relieves the bothersome itch associated with eczema, it may actually exacerbate the condition.
Antihistamines may help to relieve the itching sensation. If you itch in the middle of the night, you should consider taking a sedative antihistamine such as hydroxyzine at bedtime, since the added side effect of drowsiness will help you sleep peacefully.
There is an extensive range of treatment for acne and chicken pox scars. For scars that are shallow or look cylindrical, a variety of lasers may be used.
Some lasers are ablative. This means that they remove the outermost layer of the skin in a controlled fashion. Others are nonablative: One such device heats up the collagen layer of the skin while preserving the outermost layer.
The latest nonablative laser creates tiny microscopic holes in the skin and, in so doing, directly stimulates the collagen layer while minimising damage to the outermost skin layer.
There is also a microneedle roller that may be used. Microdermabrasion is a mechanical process akin to sandpapering the skin. A regime of chemical peels, which use a strong acid, may also be advocated.
Some acne scars can be treated with minimally invasive surgery. However, more serious scars require surgical excision.
I suggest that you consult a doctor for a proper assessment of the extent and nature of your acne scars and to discuss suitable treatment specifically tailored to your expectations, tolerance level and budget.
