How
severe your symptoms are
How much your quality of life is impacted
What side
effects you’re experiencing
How a treatment fits into your lifestyle
How
severe your symptoms are
How much your quality of life is impacted
What side
effects you’re experiencing
How a treatment fits into your lifestyle
Eczema severity can vary quite a bit. If home remedies such as over-the-counter lotions aren’t helping, that’s a sign to see a dermatologist and possibly explore a new treatment, such as prescription medications. If your skin is crusting over with yellow scabs or oozing pus, that’s another sign your current treatment may not be working well, the NEA says.
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“We can tell if somebody is itchy, but a lot of the time we rely on the person to also explain to us what they’re dealing with,” Garshick says. For example, if atopic dermatitis symptoms are making it hard to sleep at night or making you self-conscious during the day, it’s a good idea to seek a new treatment, she adds.
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For any type of medication, it’s important to factor in the potential side effects and weigh them against the benefits you may receive. If you’re not comfortable with steroids and other immunosuppressants due to side effects such as GI problems and nausea and vomiting, for example, JAK inhibitors may be a better choice
for you.
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Before committing to a treatment, think about whether it realistically fits into your life. Treatments need to be taken as prescribed to be effective. “I think some people find that putting cream on all the time is just not going to be possible for them. And so, for them, it makes more sense to take an injection,” Garshick says. But if you’re scared of needles, a biologic isn’t a good choice, and a JAK inhibitor may be better, she adds.
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