Eczema Health Center

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For severe cases of atopic dermatitis or cases that do not improve with other treatment, treatment can include:

• A bandage or dressing that is wrapped around the affected skin, which covers any open sores and prevents contact with air.
• Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, with or without additional medicine, at a clinic or doctor's office. Options include phototherapy or psoralen plus ultraviolet light therapy (PUVA).
• High-strength topical corticosteroids or oral corticosteroids. These may be used when the rash covers large areas of the body or when complications occur, such as skin infections.
• Cyclosporine or interferon, which is sometimes used in adults if other treatment is not successful.

In severe cases, hospitalization may be needed. A short stay in the hospital can quickly control the condition.

What To Think About

A combination of preventive measures, such as moisturizing your skin and avoiding irritants, along with medicines usually works best to control atopic dermatitis. You may need to try different treatments before finding what works best for you or your child.

The regular use of moisturizers may help reduce the need for high-strength corticosteroid medicines.³

Atopic dermatitis sometimes improves when daily stresses are reduced. Relaxation techniques, such as meditation or imagery exercises, can help relieve stress. For more information, see the topic Stress Management.

Atopic dermatitis may affect how children feel about themselves. A child may feel strange or different from other children because of the rash or restrictions in diet. The rash may make a child feel unattractive.