Eczema treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with doctors and other healthcare providers via text, audio, or video. After you log in to your Maple account, you can request an online consultation.

Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can complete an assessment by asking questions about your symptoms, going through your health history, and determining what treatment is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person examination.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to virtual primary care online and more. You can connect with our network of providers via text, audio, or video call within minutes.

Our membership costs $79.99/month and covers virtual care for patients and their families, including the primary account holder's spouse and any dependents.

For patients in eligible provinces, our membership includes:

• Access to daily primary care provider visits: One daily visit with a primary care provider for each family member in their household.
• Paediatric care: Covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment.
• Second medical opinions: access to a network of experts for a second opinion if diagnosed with a complex condition (e.g. cancer).
• Personal Health Check-Ins: A series of personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to maintain and improve health.
• iCBT courses: Access to iCBT (internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy) self-assessment and courses.
• Access to specialists in eligible provinces: Easy access to specialists on Maple within days, not months. No referral is needed.
• Specialist referrals in eligible provinces: Ability to be referred to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed.
• Credit discounts: An $80 credit per month to be applied to a Maple specialist visit.

Please note that our membership cannot be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. In some cases, membership fees can be covered by a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) — check with your HSA provider for more details.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX cards, as well as Google and Apple Pay.

At Maple, we proudly prioritize privacy as a cornerstone of our virtual care services. We strictly adhere to privacy and healthcare legislation in Canada, such as PIPEDA and PHIPA regulations, to ensure patients' personal and health information remains completely private and safeguarded.

Our policies and consent processes are designed to be simple and easily understood, empowering individuals with control and a clear understanding of their healthcare journey. When using our services, a patient’s session is protected by a comprehensive security infrastructure and stringent data policies.

Patients also retain full control of their personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. Our approach is reinforced by consultations with leading experts, guaranteeing comprehensive policy frameworks that are reviewed at a regular cadence.

All providers delivering healthcare through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their licensing regulatory colleges, and in all instances, must act in accordance with the governing principles set out in the telemedicine policies of each medical regulator in the applicable province.

Regulators across Canada support and recognize the value of services like ours, and the way in which they can benefit patients, physicians, and Canada’s broader healthcare system by improving access to care and increasing efficiencies in the delivery of care.

Yes, you can. Normally, lab testing isn’t necessary for an eczema diagnosis. The healthcare provider will want to discuss any symptoms or signs of eczema that you’re experiencing, and perform a physical exam. They’ll also want to discuss your medical history.

In some cases, the healthcare provider may suggest that you visit a dermatologist. They have the expertise to diagnose conditions like eczema, and to rule out other possible skin conditions.

Once you have a clear eczema diagnosis, the healthcare provider or dermatologist can suggest appropriate eczema treatments, depending on the severity of your condition.

Yes, our physicians can prescribe eczema medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription for eczema, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered right to your door at no additional cost.

Eczema is the name for a group of immune response conditions that cause your skin to become inflamed, itchy, or develop a rash-like appearance. This immune response condition is very common, affecting as many as 17% of Canadians at some point in their life.

While most people think of atopic dermatitis when they refer to eczema, there are several other types of eczema, including:

• Dyshidrotic eczema (also known as pompholyx eczema)
• Nummular eczema (also known as discoid eczema)
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Infantile eczema
• Contact dermatitis
• Stasis dermatitis
• Neurodermatitis

The most common symptoms and signs of eczema include:

• Dry, sensitive skin
• Discolored skin (red to brownish-gray)
• Inflamed, irritated skin, and pain
• Itching at the affected area
• Crusting or oozing skin
• Swelling in affected areas
• Leathery, rough, or scaly patches of skin

While eczema symptoms may be similar, their appearance and specific traits will help your doctor or dermatologist identify the type of eczema you’re experiencing.

The exact causes of eczema aren’t understood. However, researchers believe that eczema could be caused by a combination of genetics and external triggers.

The most well-known triggers for eczema include:

• Dry skin
• Skin friction or burns
• Infections
• Soaps and household cleansers
• Certain kinds of fabrics (wool, polyester, denim, etc.)
• Cosmetic products or fragrances
• Certain metals (particularly nickel)
• Temperature fluctuations
• Certain medications
• Smoke from cigarettes
• Formaldehyde (found in disinfectants, glues, adhesives, and some vaccines)
• Antibacterial ointments
• Paraphenylene-diamine (found in leather dyes, temporary tattoos, etc.)
• Cocamidopropyl betaine (found in lotions and shampoos)
• Isothiazolinone (found in personal care products like baby wipes)

Sometimes, eczema can also indicate the presence of a new allergy. On occasion, however, the doctor or dermatologist may not be able to identify the exact causes for your eczema, even with additional testing.

In many cases, the healthcare provider will be able to offer an eczema diagnosis after examining the signs of eczema you’re experiencing and discussing your medical history. They will also want to discuss whether you could have come into contact with any possible irritants or allergens.

When the healthcare provider can’t offer an eczema diagnosis on their own, they may refer you to a dermatologist for further evaluation.

Less frequently, the healthcare providers may suggest testing skin or discharge from the affected area to rule out other underlying conditions or skin diseases.

Once you have a clear eczema diagnosis, the healthcare providers can suggest eczema treatments best suited to the needs of your condition. This includes any prescription eczema medications that you may require.

Unfortunately, some forms of eczema can be persistent, despite treatments. Flare ups are common, despite diligent skin care and avoidance of triggers. Without appropriate diagnosis and treatment, eczema can be debilitating. It may take months or years of eczema treatments to find the most effective treatment plan for your condition. And even if you reduce or remove eczema symptoms, they could return again in the future.

Eczema is very common. However, if it’s beginning to negatively affect your daily life, you should speak to a healthcare provider. This includes if it’s affecting your mental health, your ability to sleep, or if the area is showing signs of an infection (red streaks, pus, etc.).

A healthcare provider from Maple will be able to provide you with a clear eczema diagnosis, or refer you to a dermatologist for their expertise. They will also be able to suggest any prescription eczema medications you may need to effectively treat your condition.

Don’t be embarrassed by eczema. Healthcare professionals from Maple can suggest treatments that will help you manage your symptoms and take control of your condition.