Eczema and Dermatitis and Psoriasis are all skin conditions. Eczema and Dermatitis Eczema and Dermatitis cause areas of the skin to become red, itchy and inflamed. Eczema and Dermatitis can be triggered by factors such as cold weather but they are mostly caused by contact with allergens such as pollen, dust, detergents or food. We have many treatments for dry skin conditions. Including non prescription emollients, bath additives on our pharmacy shop and steroid creams and ointments in our prescription treatment section. Treatments: Emollients - For regular use (upto four times daily) to keep skin moisturised and healthy.Usually recommended for mild to moderate eczema. Emollients come in a range of creams, ointments, lotions and bath and shower treatments. Examples include: Aveeno cream, lotion or body wash Aqueous cream Dermol cream or lotion Diprobase cream or ointment Epaderm cream or ointment E45 cream, lotion or Wash Oilatum cream, emollient, shower gel Please Click here for our available emollient options Steroid Creams (corticosteriods)- These are used in short courses to control flare ups in eczema. When using corticosteroids, a thin layer is applied to the affected area, usually no more than twice a day. For most cases, a single daily application will only be required.Corticosteroid come in a range of strengths and types. Which ones are recommended are based on the severity of sympstoms and where on the body flare ups are located. Examples of weaker corticosteroids (usually recommended for mild cases, or more sensitve areas of the body). Hydrocortisone 1% cream Eumovate (Clobetasone) cream or ointment Trimovate Cream Example of a Stronger corticosteroid (usually recommended for for use on the palms of hands, knuckles or soles of the feeet and areas where the skin is thicker). Betnovate (Betamethasone) cream or ointment Stronger preparations for the scalp: Betacap (betamethasone) Betnovate scalp lotion (betamethasone) Elocon scalp lotion (mometasone) Antibiotic preparations - only for use where infection is present: Fucibet cream (betamethasone and fusidic acid) Fucidin H cream (hyrdrocortisone and fusidic acid) Psoriasis Commonly Psoriasis consists of thick, scaly plaques that are pinkish red on colour and tinged with a silvery white scale. It is a common long-term (chronic) disease with no cure. It tends to go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding for a while or going into remission. Some factors that can contribute to psoriasis flares ups are genetics, lifestyle or some drugs. Psoriasis commonly effects the scalp, outer surface of knees and elbows. Psoriasis can be associated to several other medical conditions including obesity, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 Diabetes and also other inflammatory conditions including arthritis and coeliac disease. Treatments Soap substitutes are generally recommended for chronic plaque psoriasis along with a bath additive. Examples Aveeno cream, oil and or body wash Find Aveeno here! Along with many other options. Medicated treatments Psoriasis affecting the trunk and limbs. Often a steroid will be recommended for use in the morning to reduce inflammation and calcipotriol would be recommended for use in the evenings to reduce overgrowth in skin cells for upto four weeks. Examples: Steroid- Betnovate (betamethasone) cream or Elocon (mometasone) cream Calcipotriol (vitamin D derivative ointment Coal tar products can also be use these are usually not so preferred as they have a distinctive smell and can stain skin and clothing. Scalp psoriasis commonly noticable from patches on the neck can be treated with mild or steroid scalp treatments. Examples: Mild- Polytar scalp shampoo Steroid- Betacap (beteamethasone), Dermovate scalp application, Etrivex medicated shampoo. Sometimes a treatment with scale removing agents can be used. Example: Diprosalic Scalp application (Salicylic acid) Psoriasis of the face, flexures and genitals should be treated with a mild or moderately potent steroid for one to two weeks. Example: Eumovate cream (Clobetasone) Hydrocortisone 1% cream Please note Steroid treatments should be used in short courses as it can cause thinning of the skin. View all creams and ointments.
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