Eczema vs. Dry Skin

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Both dry skin and eczema can make skin scaly, itchy, and red. Dry skin is a trigger for eczema, which is also called phototherapy, also called light therapy. Exposure to ultraviolet light from a machine sometimes helps clear up stubborn eczema flares.

Other medicines work on your immune system to prevent eczema flares. Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), and cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) calm your immune system so that it doesn’t overreact and inflame your skin.

Biologic drugs block the parts of your immune system that lead to skin inflammation. Two biologics are approved to treat eczema:

  • Dupilumab (Dupixent)
  • Tralokinumab-Idrm (Adbry)

These medications are meant for people whose skin hasn’t improved with topical medications. Biologics come as injections.

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors block the immune signals that cause skin inflammation. The two approved JAK inhibitors for eczema are abrocitinib (Cibinqo) and upadacitinib (Rinvoq). They come in a pill.

Any of these medications can cause side effects. That doesn’t mean you’ll have any problems, only that you should be aware of them. Before you or your child starts on any new treatment, ask your doctor what side effects it might cause and how to manage them.

When to Talk to Your Doctor

Dry skin is often easy to treat yourself with moisturizers and other home remedies. Call your doctor if:

  • Your symptoms don’t improve with treatments you’ve tried or they get worse
  • The itching really bothers you or keeps you awake
  • You have open cuts or sores from scratching

If you think your child has eczema, see their pediatrician for a diagnosis. The doctor can send you to a pediatric dermatologist if your child needs a prescription medication.

You may be able to manage eczema in yourself with home remedies and over-the-counter treatments. If your symptoms don’t improve, see your primary care doctor or a dermatologist for advice. Also call if a treatment your doctor prescribed hasn’t helped, or you have signs of an infection like redness and pain.