{"id":623,"date":"2025-06-18T22:06:19","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T22:06:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/borealisderm.com\/?p=623"},"modified":"2026-10-14T07:40:40","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T11:40:40","slug":"atopic-dermatitis-eczema","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/borealisderm.com\/pa\/medical-dermatology\/atopic-dermatitis-eczema\/","title":{"rendered":"Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2190 Back to Medical Dermatology<\/a><\/p>\n

Eczema is a barrier-and-inflammation problem, not simply dry skin. When it is active, itching can disrupt sleep, cracked skin can become infected, and repeated flares can interfere with daily life.<\/p>\n

Treatment starts with restoring the skin barrier and controlling inflammation, then escalates when needed to prescription topicals, phototherapy, biologics, or targeted oral therapy.<\/p>\n

Symptoms, Triggers and Treatment<\/h2>\n
\"Cream<\/figure>\n

What causes eczema?<\/h3>\n

Atopic dermatitis results from a combination of skin-barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, genetics, and environmental triggers. It is not caused by poor hygiene and is not contagious.<\/p>\n

How is it treated?<\/h3>\n

Treatment begins with skin-barrier care and trigger reduction. Depending on severity, therapy may include topical corticosteroids, nonsteroidal topical medications, phototherapy, and modern treatments including biologic therapy and oral immune-modulating medications<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When is phototherapy useful?<\/h3>\n

Narrowband UVB can be useful for selected patients with more widespread disease who need an option beyond topical therapy. Borealis offers whole-body NB-UVB in Syosset and Bellerose and Excimer laser treatment at all three offices. Learn more about phototherapy<\/a> and whole-body narrowband UVB<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In children, eczema-related inflammation can sometimes leave lighter facial patches called pityriasis alba<\/a>. These patches can be especially noticeable in darker skin tones and may be confused with vitiligo.<\/p>\n

Why individualized treatment matters<\/h3>\n

Eczema varies substantially by age, body site, skin tone, severity, infection risk, and quality-of-life impact. The right plan should control itch and inflammation while minimizing medication burden and long-term adverse effects.<\/p>\n

For infants and children, see Childhood Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Related reading from Borealis<\/h3>\n

Explore these articles for more background and questions to discuss at your visit.<\/p>\n