what can i use for quick relief of eczema flare ups

[msalomon]

i have what looks like a rash (small pimples) on my chest and behind my ears, when asked my dermatologist she told me it's eczema which i never had growing up and i'm 25. accutane might be the cause of it since i started to notice it a little while after i started taking it. it's does not look like dry/patchy skin but it is sometimes itchy and i've tried everything but nothing seems to work. it's very stressful to look at because it leaves dark marks/blemishes and i don't know what to put on it since i don't want to further irritate it. i have tried penaten (baby rash cream), bio-oil, aloe-vera, vitamin e and cetaphil but i don't like cetaphil very much because it's too greasy and like i said my skin is not very dry in those areas. any suggestions? could it be a wrong diagnosis?

thanks

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
For eczema , Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.

For mild-moderate eczema a weak steroid may be used, whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid.

Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin.

If still the symptoms do not improve then please get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Mot425]

Not an expert but for eczema you use a corticosteroid cream. These come in varying strengths. There are relatively weak over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams which would be worth trying. I believe one is called Cortizone?