Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that causes reddened and scaling skin and uncomfortable itching. Occasionally, this broken skin can become infected leading to pain and oozing. Our team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, can help you manage eczematous conditions so you can live as normal and healthy of a life as possible and prevent the flares and infections associated with a broken skin barrier. Call either of the Richmond-area offices today to schedule your appointment and get relief from symptoms or, send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

What is Eczema?

Eczema affects more than 31 million people. Multiple forms of eczema exist, but the most common type is atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis commonly affects children but can persist into adulthood. It causes patches of red, itchy skin and rashes, especially in the pockets of the elbows and knees, and is associated with seasonal allergies and asthma.

Eczema flare-ups can come and go, so it is important for patients with eczema to have a good skin care routine to maintain clearance and avoid these flares.

What causes atopic dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis occurs when your skin is unable to maintain a natural moisture barrier and is naturally more dry than other skin. When the barrier is missing, irritants including chemicals, bacteria, viruses (like warts) and fungus, can access your skin directly, and eczema symptoms occur. Dry skin is a damaged barrier, like a brick wall without any mortar.

What are the symptoms of atopic dermatitis?

The primary symptoms of atopic dermatitis eczema include:

  • Skin rashes
  • Dry skin
  • Itchy skin
  • Skin that appears thickened and scaly
  • Patches of red, brown, or gray skin
  • Small skin bumps
  • Oozing and weeping skin that crusts in response to bacterial infection
  • Increased bacterial, viral, and fungal infections in the skin

Scratching dry skin and patches of eczema exacerbate your condition, leading to an itch-scratch-itch cycle.

What are the other types of eczema?

You may also suffer from a less common form of eczema, including:

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis looks a lot like atopic dermatitis. You experience this eczema when your skin comes into contact with an allergen or irritant. It is different from atopic dermatitis in that only the skin that came in contact with the trigger is affected and it is not a chronic condition.

Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema can occur in individuals with atopic dermatitis, or on its own. The skin on the hands and feet is affected by scaling, itching, and tell-tale blisters.

What is Neurodermatitis? (lichen simplex chronicus)

Excessive scratching and rubbing leads to thickened skin that is usually darker than the unaffected skin. Occasionally, 'picker's bumps' called prurigo nodules will develop. It is important for a dermatologist-trained professional to evaluate any potential underlying causes of itch leading to this excessive scratching.

There are many other forms of eczema, too. If you're dealing with a skin rash or another form of unwelcome skin irritation, don't hesitate to contact the expert dermatologists at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center.

How is eczema treated?

The team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center does everything possible to help you understand how to prevent flare-ups of eczema. Doctors cannot cure eczema but can help with successful management. When you take care of your skin consistently using your personalized skin care routine, you can minimize flare-ups and manage them quickly at home with a treatment plan developed by your dermatologist.

Many treatment options that are both over-the-counter and prescription-based are available. Our team can help you understand which ones are best for you and help restore the delicate skin barrier that's otherwise depleted in eczema patients. The doctors can also make you aware of what products may exacerbate symptoms and make your eczema worse.

With the overwhelming number of people and products vying for your business, choosing who to listen to and which skin care products to use can be overwhelming. It is just as important to know what to avoid using as it is to know what to use to care for your skin health and to ensure the credentials of your sources.

For expert eczema management, contact Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center. Call the nearest office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

How can we help

Services

Service Offered: Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and can be dangerous if it's left untreated. Routine skin cancer screenings with one of our expert team members at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center located in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, ensure early detection and treatment to prevent complications. Call our office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

Read More

Service Offered: Mohs Surgery
Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is a very safe and effective outpatient surgical procedure for removing certain types of skin cancer. This technique focuses on the complete removal of the skin cancer with a cure rate as high as 98-99% depending on the cancer type, size, and location. Our Mohs surgeons, William Gillen and Shields Callahan, MD at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center are fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons located in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. Using a microscope to examine the margins, they can be very precise in determining when the cancer has been removed, thus preserving normal surrounding tissues and allowing the smallest possible surgical wound.

Read More

Service Offered: Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common skin cancer typically on sun-exposed skin that can arise from the pre-cancers, actinic keratoses. Seeking treatment early for any unusual, painful, or non-healing site can prevent serious complications associated with skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, Patricia O’Connor, MD, and their team diagnose and treat squamous cell carcinoma by removing skin lesions with surgical techniques, including Mohs surgery, or other more conservative procedures, if appropriate. Call the nearest Richmond-area office today, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

Read More

Service Offered: Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, and Patricia O’Connor, MD, offer treatment for this type of cancer that usually appears as a bump or pinkish patch of skin. If you suspect you have basal cell carcinoma or any form of skin cancer, contact the office right away to set up an appointment. Call either Richmond-area office to speak with a team member or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

Read More

Service Offered: Melanoma
Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that kills thousands of people each year. William Gillen, MD, Patricia O'Connor, MD, and the team of professionals at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, are committed to finding and diagnosing melanoma at its earliest stages which is crucial for treatment. In these early stages, treatment can be done in our office. When necessary, our skilled providers are experienced in developing interdisciplinary treatment plans. Above all, they are dedicated to educating their patients on skin cancer prevention. Schedule your skin cancer screening today by calling the nearest Richmond-area office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

Read More

Service Offered: Skin Disorders
Skin Disorders

Skin disorders can look unsightly, be embarrassing, or in some cases, indicate skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, Patricia O’Connor, MD, and their experienced team treat lumps, bumps, and rashes in patients of all ages. Call either Richmond-area office to schedule an appointment or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

Read More

Service Offered: Injectables
Injectables

If you want to rejuvenate your appearance by minimizing facial wrinkles and fine lines, then injectables may be right for you. Patricia O'Connor, MD, and Eliza Hester PA-C at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center provide high-quality injectables and customized plans for their patients in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. Schedule an injectables consultation today by calling either Richmond-area office, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

Read More

Service Offered: Psoriasis
Psoriasis

Roughly 7.4 million people in the United States are bothered by psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin, joints, and less commonly the cardiovascular system. If you have psoriasis, schedule a visit with a member of our general dermatology team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. A group of well-versed providers in the variety of treatment options available for psoriasis and will develop a plan to help you find relief from your condition. Booking an appointment is easy. Simply call the nearest Richmond-area office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

Read More

Service Offered: Eczema
Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that causes reddened and scaling skin and uncomfortable itching. Occasionally, this broken skin can become infected leading to pain and oozing. Our team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, can help you manage eczematous conditions so you can live as normal and healthy of a life as possible and prevent the flares and infections associated with a broken skin barrier. Call either of the Richmond-area offices today to schedule your appointment and get relief from symptoms or, send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

Read More

Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center