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This article was co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.
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Eczema (technically known as "atopic dermatitis") causes dry, itchy skin. At best, an eczema flareup is irritating—but when it's on your face, it can be embarrassing as well. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to soothe your skin and effectively treat an eczema flare-up.
Here are 15 dermatologist-backed ways to treat eczema on your face.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhy is keeping my face moisturized so important?
Mohiba Tareen, MDMohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.
FAAD Board Certified DermatologistDermatologists like to think of the skin as a brick wall. With eczema, the mortar, or the white stuff between the bricks, is defective. The proteins that keep the skin together are defective. Things leak into the skin and cause inflammation and things leak out of the skin and irritate it. It's really important to keep the barrier of the brick wall intact as much as possible so allergens and bacteria don't get in. The best way to take care of that brick wall is moisturization. -
QuestionHow to get rid of eczema around the mouth?
Shari Forschen, NP, MAShari Forschen is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in North Dakota. Shari has worked in healthcare since 1996 and her expertise lies in acute care bedside nursing on a medical oncology floor. She received her degree from Medcenter one College of Nursing in 2003 and her Family Nurse Practitioner Masters from the University of North Dakota in 2014. Shari is a member of the American Nurses Association.
Master's Degree, Nursing, University of North DakotaThis should be evaluated as could be underlying bacterial infection called impetigo. If standard therapies (read article above) do not work, go to your primary care physician and seek their professional opinion. -
QuestionDoes chemo clear eczema and are the side effects the same as if treated for cancer?Shari Forschen, NP, MAShari Forschen is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in North Dakota. Shari has worked in healthcare since 1996 and her expertise lies in acute care bedside nursing on a medical oncology floor. She received her degree from Medcenter one College of Nursing in 2003 and her Family Nurse Practitioner Masters from the University of North Dakota in 2014. Shari is a member of the American Nurses Association.
Master's Degree, Nursing, University of North DakotaThis is best discussed with the specialist providing this care. "Chemo" is term used for pharmacological medication to reduce a certain condition. In the realm of cancer, the condition to be reduced/eradicated is cancer cells. So technically, side effects are based on certain medication regimen and can be different based on the medication prescribed.
Video
Tips
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Installing a whole-house humidifier in your home can help with eczema by keeping your skin more hydrated.[18]Thanks
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Diet can also affect eczema. Make sure you're eating plenty of healthy fats found in foods like avocado, nuts, and fish.[19]Thanks
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An itch relief treatment that works great for you one day might be ineffective the next. Have a variety of itch relief options in your arsenal so you can switch them out.[20]Thanks
Warnings
- Avoid scratching the affected area. Trim your nails short so you won't scratch too deeply if you end up scratching by accident. You might want to wear gloves so you don't scratch in your sleep.[21]Thanks
- While tea tree oil is generally advocated to help treat superficial skin infections, it isn't recommended if you have eczema and could worsen your condition.[22]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/types-of-eczema/facial-eczema/
- ↑ https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/types-of-eczema/facial-eczema/
- ↑ Mohiba Tareen, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
- ↑ https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/types-of-eczema/facial-eczema/
- ↑ https://nationaleczema.org/alternative-treatments-dr-shi/
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/npp/tea-tree-oil.html
- ↑ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/home-remedies-the-itchy-irritation-of-eczema/
- ↑ https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/complementary-and-alternative/
- ↑ https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/complementary-and-alternative/
- ↑ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/home-remedies-the-itchy-irritation-of-eczema/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hydrocortisone-skin-cream/
- ↑ https://nationaleczema.org/alternative-treatments-dr-shi/
- ↑ https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/complementary-and-alternative/
- ↑ https://nationaleczema.org/bathing-moisturizing-and-wet-wraps/
- ↑ https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/phototherapy/
- ↑ https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/dupixent/
- ↑ https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/immunosuppressants/
- ↑ Mohiba Tareen, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
- ↑ Mohiba Tareen, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/childhood/itch-relief/home-remedies
- ↑ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/home-remedies-the-itchy-irritation-of-eczema/
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/npp/tea-tree-oil.html
About This Article
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
Having face eczema can be frustrating, but you can treat it by moisturizing your skin and using treatments to reduce itchiness. Take a lukewarm shower every day, which will help moisturize dry skin. After you shower, rub a moisturizing lotion, like Cetaphil or Eucerin, into your face. Apply the lotion several times throughout the day so your skin doesn’t dry out. You should also rub a hydrocortisone cream onto your rashes, which will help reduce itchiness. Alternatively, try adding epsom salts to your bath for a natural treatment for itchy skin. Exposing your skin to the salty water may help it feel less itchy and irritated. Another option is to rub tea tree oil on affected areas. If none of these treatments improve your eczema, see your doctor to get a prescription treatment. For tips from our Medical co-author on treatment options for severe eczema, keep reading!
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