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Eczema treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

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Can I talk to a doctor on Maple about my eczema?

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.

Can I get a prescription on Maple?

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.

You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

What is eczema?

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
What are the symptoms of eczema?

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.

What causes eczema?

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.

How is eczema diagnosed?

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.

How is eczema treated?

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.

Things you can do to help reduce symptoms and avoid triggers:

  • Takes baths – opt for lukewarm water rather than hot, and don’t forget to moisturize after
  • Avoid scented products, harsh soaps, and perfumes
  • Wear and sleep on soft natural fabrics
  • Avoid scratching – it will only make the itch worse the next day!

There are a number of prescription eczema medications that be used to combat the signs of eczema, including:

  • Medications to control inflammation
  • Medications to fight infections
  • Medicated creams or lotions that help control itching, and assist with skin repair

In addition to these eczema treatments, the doctor or dermatologist may rarely suggest treatment therapies, such as:

  • Light therapy
  • Wet dressing (involving topical corticosteroids and wet bandage wrappings)
  • Counselling (for dealing with the mental health challenges presented by chronic eczema symptoms, or for those who scratch habitually)

For infants experiencing infantile eczema, avoiding irritants, extreme temperatures, and keeping their skin well-lubricated are the most effective eczema treatments.

When to see a doctor for eczema?

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.

What is Maple?

With Maple, you can start talking to a doctor about your symptoms in a matter of minutes. We’re a healthcare app for fast, convenient 24/7 access to Canadian healthcare providers.

You simply log in, tap a button to request a consultation, and we’ll immediately connect you to a doctor via live chat or video. You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

Our healthcare team can assess symptoms, and provide treatment, including prescriptions as necessary.

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