For those who have never experienced Eczema they may not know what it is. Eczema, also known as Atopic Dematitis, is a non-contagious inflammation of the skin that can appear on any area of the body. This skin condition manifests in red, itchy skin that can become leathery due to chronic scratching and also has the tendency to bubble up and ooze. It appears to run in families with a history of allergies or asthma and normally begins in infancy. The true cause is unknown but it can be brought on by exposure to irritants, and some feel it has to do with some kind of activation of the body’s immune system response. There is no cure.

When there is a disease process that occurs and there is no cure, the only line of defense it to find substances that will help quell or manage the symptoms. In the case of Eczema, finding something to moisturize the skin and alleviate the itching is very important. By doing these two things, it can provide not only relief but also help to avoid irritating already inflamed skin to the point of making it feel and look like leather or causing it to get infected and weep.

There are numerous over the counter Eczema creams. The best ones will both moisturize the skin and stop the itching. Different creams contain different ingredients, so a cream that may work for some people may be of no help to someone else. Creams containing Vitamin E are very popular as Vitamin E has the power to do it all. Vitamin E can fight off infection, reduce redness, stop itching, and moisturize. Eczema creams that contain beeswax are supposedly anti-inflammatory in nature. There are several creams for Eczema that all contain different kinds of oils, such as Olive, Primrose, Arachis, and Neem to name just a few. The purpose of the oil is to lock in moisture and keep the skin from drying out and itching. There has been some success with an eczema cream that utilizes honey, beeswax, and olive oil in the same compound.

Other Eczema creams contain steroids. The most powerful cream in the arsenal is the one you must obtain from you doctor because full strength steroids are not sold over the counter, they have a tendency to thin the skin and can end up causing more harm than good. As an alternative, milder derivatives such as Hydrocortisone can be purchased over the counter and they help with the itching and inflammation.

The newest Eczema cream is Tacrolimus ointment, it works like a steroid without the side effects and shows much promise in the treatment of Eczema. This compound works by suppressing the immune system and the inflammation caused by it. Like a steroid you must obtain a prescription from your doctor.