The Dangers Of Using Prescription Drugs For Eczema
The best eczema treatment is something that deals with both the symptoms and the root causes of the condition.
Medical therapy for eczema has come a long way over the years, with new treatments that deal better with the root cause of eczema. These treatments however, come with some adverse side-effects. A general rule here is the stronger the treatment the more severe the side-effects.
To reduce the chances of suffering any severe side-effects, your doctor will only prescribe the more powerful medications for a very short period of time.
 |
| Your doctor will only give you powerful treatments like corticosteroids for a short period of time. This is to reduce the chances of you getting some very severe side-effects. |
But what if your symptoms go on for longer? What if you need something more but don’t want to suffer from the severe debilitating and often life-threatening side-effects that come with conventional medical therapy?
That’s where natural remedies for eczema come in.
A number of clinical trials have suggested certain natural remedies for eczema to be just as effective as medical therapies, minus the side-effects.
In case you ARE using medical therapies for eczema, this article discusses some of the more common eczema treatments prescribed by your doctor, and the risks and side-effects associated with each.
A List Of Common Eczema Treatments Prescribed By Your Doctor
Topical Corticosteroids
Among the most popular eczema treatments that are often prescribed by physicians in order to deal with this condition are corticosteroids, which refers to a group of synthetic drugs that are similar to natural steroids produced by the adrenal glands of the body.
These drugs work by suppressing the immune response, thereby resulting in the reduction of inflammation and allergic reactions associated with eczema.
Corticosteroids that are used for eczema treatment can be given both topically – in the form of creams, lotions and ointments – and orally in the form of tablets.
 |
| Topical steroids are a very powerful eczema treatment, as they work by suppressing the immune system. Unfortunately they also come with a vast array of unwanted side-effects. |
Topically-applied corticosteroids are usually prescribed for mild to moderate cases only. The ointment form is said to be the most effective among the three forms, as it has the best moisturizing abilities, although some may argue that it can be too occlusive to the skin.
Although topical corticosteroids are proven to be an effective eczema treatment, they do produce a number of side effects. These can include rebound symptoms, where the eczema returns with an increased degree of severity weeks after the treatment has been abruptly stopped or discontinued.
Moreover, using topical corticosteroids too frequently, or for a long period of time, can lead to skin atrophy and purpura (bruising). A tolerance for their benefits may also develop.
Oral (Systemic) Corticosteroids
If topical corticosteroids don’t seem to work, especially in the case of severe or resistant eczema, systemic corticosteroids are usually given either in tablet form or through injections.
Systemic corticosteroids are usually the last eczema treatment that is considered, as its unwanted side effects are worse compared to that of topical corticosteroids.
 |
| Oral steroids are usually given when topical ones aren't enough. By being more powerful than topical steroids however, they also come with more severe risks and side-effects. |
When used for prolonged periods of time, they can lead to a vast array of severe side-effects, a few of which include adrenal suppression (this is potentially very dangerous), high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and increased risk of acquiring infections.
UV Light Therapy
Another common eczema treatment is UV light therapy, where a light box is used to expose the sufferer to UVA and UVB light which suppresses inflammation. This is usually considered only for special cases of eczema.
Unfortunately, there are also a number of risks that are associated with this form of eczema treatment, the most prominent of which is the increased risk of skin cancer that is associated with UV light exposure, as the light box is very similar to the one used in tanning salons which also carries a similar risk.
 |
| UV light therapy is also prescribed in some cases of eczema, but carries the risk of developing skin cancer. |
It has also been reported that this eczema treatment can cause changes in the hormonal balance of the body, along with jumpiness, nausea, and headaches.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are one of the most popular medicines which are prescribed in order to relieve the itching and redness associated with eczema. There are a lot of different antihistamines that are available today, most of which can be bought even without prescription.
Antihistamines work by blocking the release of histamine, the compound responsible for the itching you get in eczema.
The main drawback of using antihistamines as an eczema treatment is that they are only meant to deal with the symptoms. They do not work to tackle the root cause that is triggering the eczema, so it really has no ability to get rid of the disease.
Immunomodulators
Immunomodulators are a recent development in the treatment of eczema. As the name suggests, they work by modifying the body’s immune response. They are commonly used in organ transplant procedures, where they work to help the body accept the transplanted organ.
The most commonly used immunomodulators for treating eczema include pimecrolimus and tacrolimus, which are applied topically on your skin to treat mild to moderate eczema. They suppress the reaction of the immune system on the area where they are applied, thereby reducing the inflammation that happens during a flare-up.
Just like the above medical therapies for eczema, immunomodulators do have associated risks, and it is suggested that these can increase the chance of suffering from different types of cancers, most especially cancer of the lymph nodes and skin.
More minor symptoms that have also been reported with the use of this eczema treatment include headaches, flu-like symptoms, and severe flushing. Further to this, they may also have unforeseen interactions with other eczema treatments.
Natural Eczema Treatment
The best eczema treatment is one that greatly benefits you by reducing your symptoms and improving your quality of life, WITHOUT being associated with huge risks and side-effects.
Indeed, there are a vast range of different natural eczema remedies that have been shown in both scientific and clinical studies to bring powerful and lasting results to eczema sufferers.
 |
| Studies have shown natural eczema treatment to be just as powerful as prescription drugs, if not more-so. They also come with little or no risks or side-effects and have many added health benefits for your skin. |
The information in this article should be enough to convince you to limit your use of prescription drugs as much as possible. The best way to do this is to start adding natural eczema treatments into your regime.
Many eczema sufferers have found that their requirement for medical therapy decreases when they start to use natural remedies. Many have also stopped needing prescription drugs altogether.
Now that you know about the possible dangers of using conventional medical therapy, it’s time for you to discover the realm of natural eczema treatment. To learn about working natural remedies for eczema, I suggest you click the link to visit Eczema Free Forever: http://www.eczemafreeforever.com/
