Patient Fact Sheet Eczema Fact Sheet - Aspen Pharmacare · Patient Fact Sheet Eczema Fact Sheet...

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Patient Fact Sheet Eczema Fact Sheet What is Eczema? Your Doctor has prescribed a topical corticosteroid cream to treat your Eczema. Below are some facts about Eczema and its treatment options that should answer some of the questions you may have regarding this skin condition. available, this fact sheet focuses on the use of topical corticosteroids. Dermatitis is the general term for any type of dermatitis is a common form of the disease and is a condition that causes itching, dryness, redness of the skin and may weep, bleed and crust over causing discomfort. Sometimes the skin may become infected. apparent reason. The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but it appears to be linked to internal and external factors some of the more commonly associated factors, are listed below: Internal factors can include Family history of eczema, asthma or hay fever A medical history of allergies to foods such as dairy and wheat products, citrus, eggs, nuts and seafood. Stress¹ External factors can include Irritants – tobacco smoke, chemicals, weather (hot and humid or cold and dry) air-conditioning or overheating. Allergens – dust mites, moulds, grasses, plant pollens, foods, pets, soaps, shampoos, washing powders and cosmetics. What causes Eczema? Patient education brought to you by Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd 34–36 Chandos Street, St Leonards NSW 2065 Tel: 02 8436 8300 | mail to: [email protected] | www.aspenpharma. com.au | Aspen Australia comprises Aspen Asia Pacific Pty Ltd (ABN 75 146 444 484) and its subsidiaries, including Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 51 096 236 985), Aspen Pharma Pty Ltd (ABN 88 004 118 594), Aspen Nutritionals Australia Pty Limited ACN 160607509, Orphan Holdings Pty Ltd (ABN 50 115 816 209), Orphan Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 11 067 189 342) and Aspen Products Pty Ltd (ABN 17 003 144 170). Prepared: Dec 2015 ASP989

Transcript of Patient Fact Sheet Eczema Fact Sheet - Aspen Pharmacare · Patient Fact Sheet Eczema Fact Sheet...

Page 1: Patient Fact Sheet Eczema Fact Sheet - Aspen Pharmacare · Patient Fact Sheet Eczema Fact Sheet What is Eczema? Your Doctor has prescribed a topical ... The goal of treating eczema

Patient Fact Sheet

Eczema Fact Sheet

What is Eczema?

Your Doctor has prescribed a topical corticosteroid cream to treat your Eczema.

Below are some facts about Eczema and its treatment options that should answer some of the questions you may have regarding this skin condition.

available, this fact sheet focuses on the use of topical corticosteroids.

Dermatitis is the general term for any type of

dermatitis is a common form of the disease and is a

condition that causes itching, dryness, redness of the

skin and may weep, bleed and crust over causing

discomfort. Sometimes the skin may become infected.

apparent reason.

The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but it appears

to be linked to internal and external factors some of the

more commonly associated factors, are listed below:

Internal factors can include

• Family history of eczema, asthma or hay fever

• A medical history of allergies to foods such as

dairy and wheat products, citrus, eggs, nuts

and seafood.

• Stress¹

External factors can include

• Irritants – tobacco smoke, chemicals, weather

(hot and humid or cold and dry) air-conditioning

or overheating.

• Allergens – dust mites, moulds, grasses, plant

pollens, foods, pets, soaps, shampoos, washing

powders and cosmetics.

What causes Eczema?

Patient education brought to you by Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd34–36 Chandos Street, St Leonards NSW 2065 Tel: 02 8436 8300 | mail to: [email protected] | www.aspenpharma.

com.au | Aspen Australia comprises Aspen Asia Pacific Pty Ltd (ABN 75 146 444 484) and its subsidiaries, including Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 51 096 236 985), Aspen Pharma Pty Ltd (ABN 88 004 118 594), Aspen Nutritionals

Australia Pty Limited ACN 160607509, Orphan Holdings Pty Ltd (ABN 50 115 816 209), Orphan Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 11 067 189 342) and Aspen Products Pty Ltd (ABN 17 003 144 170). Prepared: Dec 2015 ASP989

Page 2: Patient Fact Sheet Eczema Fact Sheet - Aspen Pharmacare · Patient Fact Sheet Eczema Fact Sheet What is Eczema? Your Doctor has prescribed a topical ... The goal of treating eczema

Patient Fact Sheet

Eczema Fact Sheet

Sources: American Academy of Dermatology www.aad.org accessed June 2011. Eczema Association of Australasia www.eczema.org.au accessed June 2011.References: 1. Oh SH, Bae BG, Park CO et al, Association of Stress with Symptoms of atopic dermatitis. Acta Derm Venereol. 2010 Nov;90(6):582-8. 2. Australasian College of Dermatologists – website www.dermcoll.asn.au accessed June 2011.

Patient education brought to you by Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd34–36 Chandos Street, St Leonards NSW 2065 Tel: 02 8436 8300 | mail to: [email protected] | www.aspenpharma.com.au | Aspen Australia comprises Aspen Asia Pacific Pty Ltd (ABN 75 146 444 484) and its subsidiaries, including Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 51 096 236 985), Aspen Pharma Pty Ltd (ABN 88 004 118 594), Aspen Nutritionals Australia Pty Limited ACN 160607509, Orphan Holdings Pty Ltd (ABN 50 115 816 209), Orphan Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 11 067 189 342) and Aspen Products Pty Ltd (ABN 17 003 144 170). Prepared: Dec 2015 ASP989

How do you avoid Eczema breakouts?

The list below may help avoid breakouts, the most

important is to keep the skin moist by using daily

moisturiser.²

• Wear 100% cotton or soft fabrics

• Use rubber gloves with cotton liners

• Lukewarm baths or showers with non-soap

cleansers

• Gently patting the skin dry, don’t rub

• Regular use of a moisturising preparation, which

should also be applied after a bath or a shower

• When possible avoid rapid changes of temperature

and activities that raise a sweat

• Try to reduce daily stress situations

• Learning your eczema triggers and how to

avoid them

Treatment options

Topical Corticosteroids

How are Topical Corticosteroids applied?

The goal of treating eczema is to heal the skin, prevent

skin well moisturised. Treatment may include topical

corticosteroids, sedating antihistamines, wet bandaging

and antibiotics for secondary infections.

`Topical’ means something that is applied to the skin

and topical corticosteroids are used in the management

and help make the skin less red, hot, itchy and sore.

Your Doctor will have instructed you on how often to

apply the topical corticosteroid, it is important to follow

these instructions. Depending on the type prescribed,

it may be once, twice or three times per day. Topical

corticosteroids should be applied sparingly to the

itching, stinging, tingling, acneform reaction.

You may be given more than one topical corticosteroid to treat your eczema. Make sure that you are clear which preparation to use on which part of the body. If in doubt talk to your pharmacist or contact your Doctor.

This factsheet has been produced by Aspen Australia and is of a general nature only. It is not intended to replace the need for consultation with your doctor. If you have further questions about Eczema or its

treatment, please speak to your healthcare professional