Though there is no eczema cure, there are medications that doctors prescribe to treat eczema. Corticosteroids have been used to treat eczema effectively. They do not cure eczema, because they only treat the flare-up, not the immune system sensitivity causing the eczema flare-up. Corticosteroids for eczema treatment may be used as a topical cream, oral medication, or injection.

When corticosteroid cream is applied to an eczema rash, it is absorbed by the cells. The corticosteroids stop the cells from reacting to the allergen that triggered the eczema. By stopping the allergic reaction that caused the eczema, the redness, irritation, and itchiness stop.

Most infections of eczema rashes are caused by sores that are due to scratching. Because corticosteroids treat the itchiness, they reduce the risk of infection. If an infection is present, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to eliminate the infection.

Eczema rashes often cause severely dry skin. The skin may be flaky or peeling. The corticosteroids do not treat the dryness of the skin. Therefore, the patient must use moisturizer and emollients to treat the dry skin. Since there is no eczema cure, people with eczema may have periodic outbreaks of eczema even if the current rash is properly treated.

To help prevent future flare-ups, people with eczema should try to avoid allowing their skin to become dry as this may cause more frequent outbreaks of eczema. Moisturizer should not be used right before or right after applying corticosteroid ointment. Moisturizers may be applied about an hour before or an hour after applying the corticosteroid cream for eczema.

Corticosteroid cream should be used sparingly. They should only be applied to the rashes and not to large areas of skin. Prolonged use of corticosteroids over a large area of the body can cause medical conditions related to the adrenal gland. Topical corticosteroid cream should only be applied once or twice a day according to the doctor’s prescribed instructions.

A common side effect of topical corticosteroid cream is a thinning of the skin which can cause permanent stretch marks to appear. Small blood vessels may become permanently visible under the skin. Corticosteroids should not be used on skin that is infected. The patient should avoid using corticosteroids during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Corticosteroids should not be used on the face. The doctor or dermatologist may prescribe another treatment for eczema on the face, such as Elidel. Since nothing can cure eczema, medications for eczema only treat the rash, skin inflammation, and itchiness.