Asteatotic Eczema Treatment & Management

  • Author: Christina K Anderson, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 25, 2012
 

Medical Care

Patients should follow the methods listed below to improve the condition.[10]

  • Take short baths with decreased water temperature.
  • Eliminate or reduce the use of soap on the involved areas.
  • Avoid harsh skin cleansers.
  • Apply petrolatum-based emollients following bathing, and use moisturizing agents liberally.
  • Apply topical steroid ointments with or without polyethylene occlusion. Note that steroids can thin the cutaneous barrier and lower the threshold for further insults that lead to dermatitis, especially in elderly patients.
  • Use humidifiers.
Proceed to Medication
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Christina K Anderson, MD  Consulting Staff, Department of Dermatology, CentraCare Clinic

Christina K Anderson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

O Fred Miller III, MD  Emeritus Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

O Fred Miller III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Pennsylvania Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Susan Cooper, MB, ChB, MD, MRCGP, FRCP  Consultant Dermatologist and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, Department of Dermatology, Churchill Hospital, UK

Susan Cooper, MB, ChB, MD, MRCGP, FRCP is a member of the following medical societies: Royal College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Abby S Van Voorhees, MD  Assistant Professor, Director of Psoriasis Services and Phototherapy Units, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Abby S Van Voorhees, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, National Psoriasis Foundation, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, and Women's Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Amgen Honoraria Consulting; Abbott Honoraria Consulting; Merck Salary Management position; Abbott Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Amgen Honoraria Review panel membership; Centocor Honoraria Consulting; Leo Consulting; Merck None Other

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christen M Mowad, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Christen M Mowad, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous Chief Editor, William D. James, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

  1. Akimoto K, Yoshikawa N, Higaki Y, Kawashima M, Imokawa G. Quantitative analysis of stratum corneum lipids in xerosis and asteatotic eczema. J Dermatol. Jan 1993;20(1):1-6. [Medline].

  2. Cork MJ, Danby S. Skin barrier breakdown: a renaissance in emollient therapy. Br J Nurs. Jul 23-Aug 12 2009;18(14):872, 874, 876-7. [Medline].

  3. Weismann K, Wadskov S, Mikkelsen HI, Knudsen L, Christensen KC, Storgaard L. Acquired zinc deficiency dermatosis in man. Arch Dermatol. Oct 1978;114(10):1509-11. [Medline].

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  8. van Voorst Vader PC, Folkers E, van Rhenen DJ. Craquelé-like eruption in angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy. Arch Dermatol. Mar 1979;115(3):370. [Medline].

  9. Higgins EM. Eczema craquelé and internal malignancy. Clin Exp Dermatol. Jul 1997;22(4):206. [Medline].

  10. Lazar AP, Lazar P. Dry skin, water, and lubrication. Dermatol Clin. Jan 1991;9(1):45-51. [Medline].

  11. Cappiello L, Miller OF. Occlusive therapy of asteatotic dermatitis. Data presented at: Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology: 1990.

  12. Day I, Lin AN. Use of pimecrolimus cream in disorders other than atopic dermatitis. J Cutan Med Surg. Jan-Feb 2008;12(1):17-26. [Medline].

  13. Wollina U. The role of topical calcineurin inhibitors for skin diseases other than atopic dermatitis. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2007;8(3):157-73. [Medline].

  14. Schulz P, Bunselmeyer B, Brautigam M, Luger TA. Pimecrolimus cream 1% is effective in asteatotic eczema: results of a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study in 40 patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Jan 2007;21(1):90-4. [Medline].

  15. Gutman AB, Kligman AM, Sciacca J, James WD. Soak and smear: a standard technique revisited. Arch Dermatol. Dec 2005;141(12):1556-9. [Medline].

  16. Burton J, Holden C. Eczema, lichenification, and prurigo. In: Textbook of Dermatology. Vol 1. 6th ed. Oxford, England: Blackwell Science; 1998:644-45.

  17. Caplan RM. Superficial hemorrhagic fissures of the skin. Arch Dermatol. Apr 1970;101(4):442-51. [Medline].

  18. Fitzpatrick T, Johnson R, Wolff K. Asteatotic Dermatitis. In: Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. 3rd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1997:75.

  19. Murray H, Forsey RR. Eczema craquele. Arch Dermatol. 1975;111:1536.

 
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