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Eczema online treatment
Pediatrics Dermatitis Eczema
Pediatrics Dermatitis Eczema

Eczema online treatment and medication available today

To treat your eczema, consult with one of our board-certified primary care doctors online today to get relief from your dry, itchy, or sensitive skin. If necessary, get a new prescription to treat eczema, or refill an existing prescription today.*

PlushCare Content Team
Written by PlushCare Content Team
Stephen Vogel
Medically reviewed by Stephen Vogel, MD
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*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor's discretion. Learn more about our controlled substances policy and how to save up to 80% with our prescription discount card. PlushCare doctors cannot treat all cases of eczema. At this time, PlushCare does not employ dermatologists. Not all conditions are appropriate for telehealth or for primary care physicians. If so, our doctors will help guide you with referrals and resources to get the best care from specialists and/or in-person as possible. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

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Learn about eczema

Eczema is a term that refers to inflammatory skin conditions that causes itchy, dry skin rashes and scaly patches. According to the National Eczema Association, more than 31 million Americans, from babies to children and adults, live with some form of eczema. There are seven types of eczema: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and stasis dermatitis. Out of the seven types, atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema. Atopic dermatitis is also called atopic eczema. 

Eczema is not contagious, i.e. it does not pass from person to person.

Eczema causes

The exact cause of eczema is still an area of active research. Eczema occurs when an overactive immune system reacts to substances such as allergens, irritants, and toxins, that causes the skin to become dry and itchy. It’s a hyper-sensitivity to these substances that can lead to intermittent and chronic flare-ups. Eczema seems to run in families, suggesting that genetics maybe a determining factor. 

Many conditions have been observed to trigger symptoms of eczema:

  • Environmental conditions leading to dry skin  
  • Hand or body soap
  • Laundry detergent
  • Surface cleaners or disinfectants
  • Metals (especially nickel)
  • Cigarette smoke
  • Fragrances
  • Wool or polyester
  • Antibacterial ointment
  • Formaldehyde (common in disinfectants, some vaccines, glues and other adhesives) 
  • Cocamidopropyl betaine (used to thicken some shampoos and lotions)
  • Paraphenylene-diamine (found in some leather dyes and temporary tattoos)
  • Excessive stress
  • Allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold and dandruff
  • Hormonal changes
  • Climate
  • Eczema may be seasonal, worsened by summer heat or winter dryness
 

Eczema symptoms

If you have the following eczema symptoms, it is important to take precautions to prevent bacterial skin infections as eczema may have damaged the skin barrier function of your skin. As a result, during the eczema flares the skin is more vulnerable during these times. Common eczema symptoms include: 

  • Dry skin

  • Severe itching (also known as pruritus)

  • Red or gray-brown scaly patches on the: hands, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, chest, eyelids, inside the elbows, back of the knees, and for infants: the face, cheeks, and scalp 

  • Small, raised bumps that when scratched may leak and crust or scab over

  • Scaly, cracked, thickened skin

  • Raw, sensitive, or swollen skin from scratching

The location of these eczema flare ups can vary from around the face, arms and outside of the elbows, on the knees, hands and feet.

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How to prevent eczema

Things you can do to help prevent trigger symptoms:

 

  • Moisturize skin at least two times a day
  • Identify and avoid triggers
  • Take shorter, cooler baths and showers to avoid drying out the skin
  • Use gentle, unscented soaps
  • Pat yourself dry instead of rubbing
  • Take a bleach bath up to twice a week by adding ½ cup bleach to a full tub of warm water and soaking for 10 minutes

How to treat eczema

Although there is no cure for eczema, treatments available can relieve itching and effectively manage the flare ups.  Treatments may be individualized to your symptoms, but the mainstays of healthy skin when living with eczema are skin hydration and opting for fragrance, dye, and additive free “hypoallergenic” products.

Mild Eczema

Mild eczema may respond well to thick moisturizers such as Vaseline, Aquaphor, Cetaphil, or Eucerin (or their generic equivalents). Ointments are more hydrating than creams, which are more hydrating than lotions. Remember, water dries skin out, and thin lotions have the most water! The thicker, the better.

Topical steroids help calm down the body’s immune response. Over-the-counter options include hydrocortisone. These, combined with moisturizers, may be sufficient in mild cases.

Moderate Eczema

In addition to the above, those living with moderate symptoms may need prescription-strength topical steroids or other types of anti-inflammatory creams including Topical calcineurin inhibitors, PDE4 inhibitors, and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Your doctor will help guide you to understand which treatment is best for you.

Severe eczema

For some severe atopic dermatitis, a doctor may recommend therapies such as: 

 

  • Light therapy: Also known as phototherapy for moderate to severe eczema. This type of therapy involves the use of ultraviolet (UV) light waves that are part of the light spectrum in natural sunlight. Phototherapy aims to suppress the immune system responses that lead to the flare ups. In the simplest form of light therapy, controlled amounts of natural sunlight is used. Some other forms of light therapy uses artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) from special light sources. Phototherapy may be used along with other treatment. Note that there are risks associated with phototherapy: premature skin aging and an increased risk of skin cancer. Discuss these risks with your doctor first.

  • Wet wrap therapy: In this treatment, the affected skin area is wrapped up with wet bandages treated with topical corticosteroids. This is an intensive treatment for patients with severe atopic dermatitis that resulted in lesions.

  • Immunosuppressants*: In atopic dermatitis, the immune system overreacts to triggers and causes flare up, leading to symptoms such as itching and skin barrier issues. In moderate to severe eczema cases, immunosuppressant which suppresses the immune system to reduce the flare-ups can be prescribed. The following is a list of immunosuppressants that can be prescribed: 

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors
Azathioprine
Cyclosporine Methotrexate
Mycophenolate mofetil
  • Injectable biologics*: In atopic dermatitis, the immune system overreacts to triggers and causes flare up. Biologics are genetically engineered medications that are injected to suppress immune system response. Below are some FDA approved brand name biologics: 
Dupixent (Dupilumab)
Adbry (Tralokinumab-ldrm)
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When to see a doctor for eczema

See a doctor for eczema when:

 

  • There are skin infections

  • Symptoms of atopic dermatitis are not improving or are getting worse despite over the counter treatments

  • has a fever that accompanies infected rash 

Eczema treatment and medication FAQs

What is the best treatment for eczema?

Different atopic dermatitis symptoms may need different and various treatments. Some atopic dermatitis treatment methods include:

  • wet bandages

  • light therapy

  • corticosteroid cream or ointment to reduce itching

  • immunosuppressants (e.g. calcineurin inhibitor creams) to help the immune system

  • topical or oral antibiotics for bacterial infections caused by scratching,

  • oral corticosteroids to control inflammation,

  • oral antihistamines (allergy medications)

  • dupilumab (Dupixent), a new, expensive injectable biologic (monoclonal antibody)

What is the best medicine for eczema?

The best medicine for eczema depend on the severity of the atopic dermatitis symptoms and age of the patient. Some known and effective atopic dermatitis medicines include:

  • corticosteroid cream

  • calcineurin inhibitor creams

  • topical or oral antibiotics

  • oral corticosteroids

  • oral antihistamines (allergy medications)

  • injectable biologic (e.g. dupilumab (Dupixent))

What cream is best for eczema?

Topical treatments for atopic dermatitis are generally creams that can be applied to the skin to reduce flare ups. There are different types of topical prescription therapies:

  • topical steroids

  • topical calcineurin inhibitors

  • PDE4 inhibitors

  • Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors

Can an online doctor treat eczema?

Yes, online doctors can treat eczema. You can electronically send pictures of the affected area to your online doctor before your appointment. They may be able to diagnose your condition, help identify your triggers, advise you on at-home treatments, and when necessary, prescribe medication. Not all cases are safe for telehealth care, though, so our primary care physicians will help guide you toward specialist and in-person treatments should they feel that they are more appropriate for safe, effective care. Book an appointment to speak to an online doctor about eczema treatment.

Can eczema go away?

Eczema typically does not go away on its own. There are currently no cures for eczema. Treatment plans can be put in place to relieve itching and effectively manage the flare ups.

3 simple steps to request eczema treatment online

How It Works Step 1
Step 1

Book an eczema treatment appointment.

Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
How It Works Step 2
Step 2

Talk to your medical provider regarding your eczema symptoms.

Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
How It Works Step 3
Step 3

Pick up a prescription to treat eczema.

We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.

Related conditions to eczema

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin conditions that causes well-defined, thick, red, scaly patches. Eczema tends to cause more intense itching than psoriasis. A trained dermatologist is able to tell the difference between eczema and psoriasis.

Rash

Skin rashes are patches of red, bumpy or itchy skin breakouts that can occur due to heat/cold, allergens, infections, medications, etc. Rash is one of the symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

Acne

Acne is one of the common skin infections that develops when skin pores become clogged. The acne-causing bacteria in the clogged pores can grow on the mix of oil and dead skin cells, triggering the body's immune system and causing inflammatory acne. Though acne causes pimples, sometimes it is difficult to tell atopic dermatitis rash and pimples apart. Do note that atopic dermatitis and acne are completely different skin conditions.

Eczema treatment pricing details

To request eczema treatment and get a new or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week
  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team
  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests
  • Free memberships for your family
  • Cancel anytime

Paying with insurance

Membership

$19.99

First month free

+

Visits

Copay

Visit price with insurance

Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!

We accept these insurance plans and many more:


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Paying without insurance

Membership

$19.99

First month free

+

Visits

$129

Visit price without insurance

Initial visits are $129.
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*If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund. Please note that any medication or lab work costs are not included. Please refer to our refund policy for additional information.

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PlushCare content is reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals. Learn more about our editorial standards and meet the medical team. The PlushCare site or any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.