Dermatology-Online

These creams can help with eczema

introduction

The skin of people with neurodermatitis is usually very sensitive and requires special care. Depending on whether you are in an acute episode or a calm phase of the skin, different skin care is required. This can also differ from person to person, so that it is worthwhile to find the ideal creams for different needs in order to be able to access them quickly. With correct and speedy treatment, skin deterioration in the episode can also be better managed with less stress.

You might also be interested in this article: Skin care for atopic dermatitis

Which creams help with neurodermatitis?

Dry and flaky skin is common in people with eczema. In an acute episode of the disease, the complexion worsens dramatically and there are also redness and scales. The skin appears inflamed and itchy. It is therefore important to take care of the skin and keep the frequency of attacks as low as possible. In addition, itchy and painful skin is also extremely stressful, so that the right skin care can lead to an improvement in stress and worries, which can have a positive effect on the course of the disease, as the relapses are often triggered by stress.

Since a major problem is the loss of moisture through the broken skin barrier, a cream should definitely contain urea to counteract the loss of fluid. Creams with cortisone can be used for mild to severe complaints to combat both skin irritation and itching. Alternatively, the active ingredient polidocanol in creams also helps to specifically eliminate itching and burning.

Depending on your needs, creams can be used against the unpleasant symptoms or for skin care. Sensitive skin should definitely receive basic care. For a boost, you can also use stronger creams that can alleviate the symptoms.

Please also read:

Treatment of eczema
Cortisone in atopic dermatitis
Home remedies for atopic dermatitis

List of over-the-counter creams

Different products help for different areas of application and needs of the skin. However, since every skin reacts differently, there are no general recommendations or a perfect cream for everyone. However, below is a list of some nourishing creams that can help.

This list does not claim to be complete.

Urea against dry skin:

Optiderm®️ cream
DERMASENCE®️ Adtop plus care cream
Linola®️ urea
Elacutan®️ crema
Eucerin®️ TH 10% Urea Ointment
Basodexan®️ fat cream
Remederm Creme Widmer®️
Excipial®️ U Lipolotio NA

Effect against inflammatory rash:

Tannolact®️ Creme 1% with the active ingredients sodium salt and phenolsulfonic acid-phenol-urea-formaldehyde condensate)

Effect against weeping eczema:

Tannosynt®️ Lotio
Tannosynt®️ cream

Preparations for inflammatory rash containing cortisone:

Hydrocortisone 2.5 or 5 mg per cream (from Fenistil®️, ratiopharm®️, Soventol®️, Ebenol®️ and many more)

Read more about this at: Cortisone in atopic dermatitis

Fatty acids against dry skin:

Eucerin®️ AtopiControl Aktupflege Creme (in acute flare-ups)
Eucerin®️ AtopiControl Lotion (as basic care or in a batch)
Linola®️ PLUS skin milk (in acute flare-ups)
Linola®️ PLUS cream (in acute flare-ups)

Effect against allergic complaints or itching:

Fenistil®️ Gel 1mg / g with the active ingredient dimetindene maleate
Thesid®️ Polidocanol Cream 2-5%
other dosage forms of antihistamines:
- Cetirizine 10mg film-coated tablets or juice
- Loratadine 10mg film-coated tablet
- Fenistil®️: coated tablets or drops

List of prescription creams

Basically all prescription creams for neurodermatitis contain cortisone. Although there are also creams with cortisone without a prescription, the dosage here is rather weak. A doctor's prescription must be available for higher doses. Strength should also be assessed individually by a doctor in order to apply the correct dosage. There are numerous creams from various manufacturers with the active ingredients listed below. The treating dermatologist or pharmacist can advise and help to find the right product.

Also read on this topic: Cortisone in atopic dermatitis

Increasing potency of the cortisone types:

Hydrocortisone
Prednisolone / Prednisone
Methylprednisolone
Triamcinolone
Prednicarbate
Dexamethasone
Amcinonide
Betamethasone
Clobetasol

Important ingredients for creams

Since cortisone should not be used permanently and can lead to so-called “parchment skin”, i.e. very thinned skin, it is important to have basic care products. In any case, it is advisable to use a care product containing urea.

Depending on the skin type, a moisturizing or moisturizing cream can be the right choice. For this one should ask a dermatologist or professional beautician and try different products to find the right skin care product.

In principle, moisturizing creams should be used in non-flare phases for dry or even flaky skin.

Lotions and gels, on the other hand, are water-based and are good for cooling itchy and inflamed skin. They are suitable in acute attacks and are quickly absorbed compared to greasy creams. Zinc shaking mixtures can also be used here, which are also suitable for atopic dermatitis attacks.

This article might also interest you: Skin care for atopic dermatitis

When is cortisone in the cream useful for atopic dermatitis?

Cortisone is a hormone that is also produced in the human body by the adrenal gland and has an anti-inflammatory effect. In the case of atopic dermatitis (neurodermatitis), the amount of cortisone in the body may not be sufficient to achieve sufficient improvement. It can therefore make sense to apply cortisone externally to improve the skin's inflammatory response. This not only alleviates the symptoms of an acute episode but can also help preventively so that a new episode does not break out in the first place.

Although cortisone is powerful and effective, it should not be used long-term as it can also cause severe side effects. Therefore, only the weakly effective creams are available without a prescription. In most cases, however, this is sufficient.

Side effects of very high doses can include:

certain eye diseases (cataract and glaucoma)
osteoporosis
thin skin (so-called "parchment skin")
weak immune system
High blood sugar
Cushing syndrome (bull neck, full moon face, trunk obesity, ...)
Also read on this topic: Cushing threshold or the typical symptoms of Cushing syndrome
psychological changes (euphoria, restlessness, sleep disorders, aggressiveness or depressive mood)

Cream with urea

With neurodermatitis, the skin is usually rather dry and flaky. The lack of fluid in the skin and the fragile protective barrier can cause itching and a burning sensation. There is usually not enough urea in the affected areas. This is a natural substance that occurs in the skin to bind water. Urea is contained in most care products and the proportion should be around 5% for normal skin without flare-ups. Creams with 10-30% urea can also be used for very dry skin. If the skin's appearance improves, the itching often stops.

What ingredients do I need when itching?

For itching you can either use tablets or gels. First and foremost, antihistamines are used to combat itching. Alternatively, you can also use gels with cortisone or antihistamines. Since gels are made on a water basis, they also have a cooling effect, which can also alleviate the discomfort. There is also the active ingredient polidocanol for external use on the skin. This is a local anesthetic that can reliably eliminate itching.

Does paraffin make sense?

Paraffin and other mineral oils are very criticized and are labeled as unfriendly to the skin. Although the skin's appearance initially improves when using care products that contain paraffin and Co., the skin barrier builds up only more slowly and in the long term the products do not help well. For the manufacturers, however, paraffins are cheap and can be processed well. However, there are numerous creams that do not contain these additives and the trend is increasing. Most of the products listed above are also paraffin-free.

Creams for the face

The skin on the face is particularly vulnerable in atopic dermatitis because it is not protected by clothing. Cold, heat, pollen and other environmental factors can worsen the complexion. Shaving for men or makeup for women can cause additional problems. Therefore, you should clean the skin with water if possible and then apply a moisturizing cream for dry skin. To remove make-up, it is advisable to use a gentle cleansing milk. Peelings and masks tend to irritate dry skin, so it is better not to use them.

Please also read: Atopic dermatitis on the face or atopic dermatitis on the eye

Creams that are suitable for children and babies

With babies and children in particular, most parents are more careful about which chemicals are applied to children's sensitive skin. Even with small things like a change in diet, a lot can be achieved with neurodermatitis. Many children with neurodermatitis also have a food allergy, which worsens the complexion of the skin when they come into contact with the allergenic substance in the food. The allergen should therefore be determined by an allergologist or a pediatrician. If an allergy to a certain fruit or vegetable occurs, the food can be affected in the future by replacing it with other types of fruit and vegetable. However, if you have intolerance to dairy products, you should seek advice on nutrition, as milk contains important substances for the growth of children that are otherwise missing. A balanced diet is particularly important at a young age, so diets should first be discussed with a doctor or nutritionist before the child is deprived of important substances. Citrus fruits and intense spices should also not be consumed too much, as they can cause itching, which makes the symptoms worse.

For more information on the topic, also read: Proper nutrition for atopic dermatitis

You can also support the skin with creams that contain urea or polidocanol. These keep the fluid in the skin and take away the unpleasant itching and burning sensations very efficiently. Especially with children, freedom from pain is very useful so that the child is fine.

How to make your own eczema cream?

Care products for the skin can also be made yourself with a little effort. There are numerous instructions for doing this. You can find a selection here:

nourishing cream
For this, 200ml of melted coconut oil must be mixed with 5-10 drops of vitamin E oil and the contents of approx. 10 vitamin B complex capsules and 10 curcumin capsules. The coconut oil hardens, creating a mass that can be used to distribute the active ingredients. It makes sense to use high-quality products because the skin can usually absorb a large amount of substances that enter the body. Due to the coloring agent turmeric, which is contained in curcumin, the cream should be completely absorbed before clothes are worn over it or the cream is washed off before getting dressed.
soothing cream
Another way of making creams is to mix 60g of melted shea butter with 125ml of almond oil, 1 teaspoon of honey and 10 drops of lavender oil, 5 drops of chamomile oil and 2 drops of tea tree oil and let it harden. The cream not only smells good, but also has a calming, antibacterial and moisturizing effect.
Body oil for dry skin
If you mix 100 ml of evening primrose oil and jojoba oil with 10 ml of vitamin E oil, you get a liquid against dry skin, which forms a protective film and thus binds liquid that can be quickly lost in neurodermatitis.

Read also: Home remedies for atopic dermatitis