Tips

Can Psychodermatology Help Your Eczema?

Ted A. Grossbart, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Boston. He is a Senior Associate and Clinical Supervisor for Beth Israel–Deaconess Hospital's Department of Psychiatry, and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School. His best known writing is his book SKIN DEEP: A Mind/Body Program for Healthy Skin. His Skin Deep Web site (http://grossbart.com/) provides a wide range of multimedia psychodermatology resources.

Eczema from a Child's Point of View

A thoughtful brochure created by children for children. All the pictures and words in this brochure were collected at a NEA conference where children could express themselves through artwork and answer important questions about how it feels to be affected by eczema.

Good News for Kids with Food Allergies

The U.S. Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires food manufacturers to identify in plain English any ingredients that contain protein from the following...

Dyshidrotic Eczema?

My daughter, age 3½, has recurring blistering on the bottom of her left foot. We have been to two dermatologists and they believe she has dyshidrotic eczema. She has nothing on her hands or her right foot, just the left foot. She was given a steroid cream called Cutivate that seems to help when the eczema flares up, but I did not get any information on possible prevention or things I can do to help.

Insurance Patient Assistance Program

NeedyMeds.org and the National Eczema Association announce a new source of information on medications used for eczema and financial resources to help assist with the cost of medications.

A Short History of the National Eczema Association (1997-2008)

The National Eczema Association (NEA) began as a small patient support group organized by Dr. Jon Hanifin, a physician and researcher in the Dermatology Department of Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon.

Anti-Inflammatory Therapy and Handling Infections

Excerpted from a presentation by Amy Paller, MD, at the 2010 National Eczema Association Patient Conference. Dr. Paller is the Walter J. Hamlin Professor and Chair of Dermatology and Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

Sun Protection

Protecting yourself or someone you care for from the sun’s damaging rays is not just a summertime concern. Exposure to the sun’s damaging rays can happen any time of year.

Anecdotal Stories of My Life with Eczema

By way of introduction, I’m 41 years old, and I’ve suffered from eczema, allergies and asthma since I was very young. I really do not remember my life without a drippy nose and bad skin. My asthma, thank goodness, has been relatively controllable my entire life.

Are Allergies to Blame?

Harvey Leo, M.D. St. Joseph Medical Hospital: I sat with the children yesterday while they were playing in camp and it’s interesting that I’m here because when I ask the little kids how many of them actually have food allergies, probably about 80% of them raised their hand. Then I asked them how many of them ate the foods they were allergic to and half of them raised their hands. It’s actually an interesting insight and what I’ll talk about and kind of what things you guys have been told about as parents.

Hand & Foot Eczema: How to Cope

Although atopic dermatitis (AD) usually improves with age, adults with a history of childhood AD often have persistent eczema on their hands and feet. Some children are also plagued by hand and foot eczema. Eczema affecting these sites can interfere with daily activities like playing, writing and walking.

Everyday Skin Care: Maintaining Skin Integrity and Avoiding Inflammation

Excerpted from a presentation by Peter Lio, MD, at the 2010 National Eczema Association Patient Conference. Dr. Lio is Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and a Founding Director of the Eczema Care & Education Center.

Speaker Presentation: The Me that Used to Be

Danielle Alexander was the featured eczema patient speaker at the Fourth Annual National Eczema Association Patient Conference.

Doctor Appointment Tips

Bring specific questions to your doctor, tailored to your needs (or your child's), such as...

Eczema Experts Share their Thoughts: Amy S. Paller, MD

The Chair of NEA's Scientific Advisory Committee, Amy S. Paller, MD, shares her thoughts on the following questions: What is the most significant challenge facing eczema patients? Why is NEA important?

Free e-Book on Mind/Body Solutions for Skin Issues

Dr. Ted Grossbart, a well-known psychologist and Harvard Medical School professor, has made his book Skin Deep: A Mind-Body Program for Healthy Skin available as a free e-book for download.

Topical Steroids for 5 Year Old?

Q: My son is 5 years old and has been on a variety of eczema treatments, such as Elidel and Derma-Smoothe. What are the recommendations for Derma-Smoothe? His skin improved initially after using this for four weeks, then he went right back to breaking out. I also have tried over-the-counter hydrocortisone (1 percent) and hydrocortisone oil (.5 percent). Any other suggestions?

Itch more at night?

Q: Do people really itch more at night or are they just letting down after a stressful day?

Ambien (zolpidem) or Lunesta (eszpiclone) to sleep?

Q: I’m kind of curious why I’ve never had anyone here mention that they take Ambien (zolpidem) or Lunesta (eszpiclone) to sleep as opposed to an Atarax (hydroxyzine)?

A: The problem with some of these sleeping drugs is that they have their own side-effect issues. Particularly in children, the chronic use of Ambien, Lunesta, etc., is clearly not approved. When I do have kids with really significant eczema, I do call a sleep expert in. I like to document what’s happening at night, and I use some of these experts’ advice regarding how can we help the child get good sleep.

Prolonged Cellcept usage?

Q: Are there any long-term studies of the affects of prolonged CellCept usage?

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