Author
: Grachev Ilya Illarionovich
Editor
: Efremov Mikhail Mikhailovich
Publication date: 03/09/2019 Update date: 11/12/2020
- Drug therapy
Skin rashes in the area of the elbow joints are one of the characteristic manifestations of eczema. After treatment, they disappear, and then appear again after stress or a diet violation. Eczema on the elbows requires timely treatment, otherwise the rash will spread to other parts of the body and the course will become uncontrollable. It is very important to contact a specialist in time, who will prescribe treatment and prevent the spread of the pathological process. Specialists at the Moscow Paramita clinic know how to do this.
Causes of eczema on elbows
Eczema is an allergic disease with an acute, subacute or chronic course. Its main manifestations are a variety of inflammatory skin rashes, accompanied by severe itching and burning. The name of the disease comes from the Greek word ekzeo - boiling, since the most common elements of the rash are bubbles with transparent contents.
Eczema on the elbows has different causes, so treatment must be selected individually. The main role is played by hereditary predisposition, expressed in the characteristics of the nervous, endocrine and immune systems. This leads to increased sensitivity of the body to the effects of various external and internal triggers. As a result, an allergic reaction develops in the form of skin inflammation.
External (exogenous) causes
- long-term mechanical impact – skin irritation;
- exposure to ultraviolet rays;
- damage from chemicals - household chemicals, chemical and biological substances at work;
- allergenic creams, body care gels;
- insect bites;
- wearing synthetic fabrics;
- fungal and bacterial skin infections;
- open skin injuries;
- medications;
- food allergens;
- animal fur.
Eczema of any localization can spread throughout the body, so do not delay treatment.
See how easily the disease can be cured in 10-12 sessions.
Internal (endogenous) causes
- toxins and antibodies formed against the background of chronic diseases and foci of infection;
- Especially often the cause is hormonal imbalances, diabetes and diseases of the digestive system.
Azelik® is a drug for acne
Only a specialist can understand whether red pimples on the hands are a manifestation of acne or another disease. Therefore, in case of rashes, you should consult a dermatologist. One of the drugs that can be prescribed for mild to moderate acne is Azelik®.
The main component of Azelik® gel is azelaic acid. The foundation also includes an additional component - the emollient squalane, which helps moisturize and soften the skin. The drug has the following properties5:
- normalizes keratinization in follicles;
- has an antimicrobial effect, reducing the colonization of propionibacteria and Staphylococcus epidermidis;
- reduces the concentration of free fatty acids;
- has an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the metabolism of neutrophils and the free forms of oxygen they produce.
Azelik® must be used twice a day5. Visible effect is usually observed after 4 weeks of use5.
The main types of elbow eczema and the first signs
Eczema on the elbows can be true, microbial or occupational. Each type has its own manifestations and forms.
True eczema
The disease can manifest itself in the form of symmetrical rashes on the dorsum of the elbows. It begins acutely, often for no apparent reason, and is therefore called idiopathic (with an unknown cause). The course quickly becomes subacute and chronic.
First, a patch of reddened, swollen, itchy skin appears on the back surface of the skin of the hands in the area of the elbow joints. Then a blistering rash appears on it. The blisters burst, small pinpoint erosions appear with drops of serous substance on the surface (serous wells), the surface becomes wet, and the development of weeping eczema begins.
After some time, the acute inflammatory process subsides, part of the affected area becomes covered with crusts, adjacent to blisters and erosions. Then the weeping stops, the skin becomes crusty and begins to peel off. The transition to the subacute and chronic phase is accompanied by thickening of the skin with a simultaneous strengthening of its pattern - lichenification. The affected parts become bluish in color, and bubbles periodically appear on them, which indicates an exacerbation of the process. The course may be complicated by the addition of a purulent infection.
One form of true eczema on the elbows is pruriginous eczema. It is characterized by thickening of the skin in the elbow area, the appearance of small papules and bubbles (vesicles) on its surface, which do not open and do not form crusts. This form of the disease is initially chronic, often recurs, and is accompanied by lichenification and severe itching.
Microbial eczema
The disease develops against the background of bacterial (streptococcal) or fungal infections of the skin, wounds, cracks, etc. The infectious process is joined by allergic and autoimmune (allergy to one’s own tissues). As a result, the course takes on a long-term relapsing character. Microbial eczema on the elbows is initially located asymmetrically, but over time, similar manifestations appear on symmetrical areas of the body. May have the following forms:
- Coin-shaped (nummular)
. It appears in the form of round or oval lesions, on the reddened, swollen surface of which papules, vesicles, weeping and crusts appear - all symptoms characteristic of true eczema. - Paratraumatic
. This form can affect the edges of wounds, burns and cracks in the skin of the elbows. It occurs acutely, with weeping and severe itching. In the absence of proper therapy, the course becomes chronic.
Red spots on the skin after stress
Diagnosis of skin diseases
Occupational eczema
The professional form develops with constant contact of the affected areas of the skin with substances that cause allergies. It proceeds in the same way as the true one, symmetrical areas of the body are affected. Develops in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Often, after eliminating the allergen, all symptoms disappear. But sometimes relapses develop and the disease becomes chronic.
Additional diagnostics
To determine the cause of rashes on the elbows and knees, a comprehensive diagnosis is necessary. Sometimes the origin of the spots is clear from a clinical examination, but often additional studies have to be carried out:
- Complete blood count (leukocyte count, ESR).
- Biochemical parameters (immunoglobulins E, antistreptolysin-O, rheumatic tests).
- Serological markers (MRP, ELISA, RIF).
- Allergy tests (application, prick test).
- Scraping from the affected areas (microscopy, culture).
Based on the specific situation, a child or adult may need to consult related specialists - an allergist, an infectious disease specialist, a rheumatologist. Differential diagnosis has to be carried out with a wide range of conditions accompanied by a skin rash.
The examination at the initial stage includes a medical examination, further diagnostics are carried out taking into account its results.
Stages of eczema on the elbows
The disease can occur in the following stages:
- Acute
. It in turn is divided into:- erythematous – redness and swelling of the affected area of the skin;
- papular - the appearance of papular rashes;
- vesicular – the appearance of vesicles on the surface of papules;
- weeping - the formation of erosions and the release of serous fluid;
- cortical – drying of the vesicles and covering them with crusts.
- Subacute
- the skin thickens, the pattern intensifies, and peeling appears. - Chronic
- the skin becomes bluish, lichenized, peels, and pigment spots appear. Periodically developing relapses are characterized by the appearance of a small number of bubbles.
Methods for treating eczema on the elbows
Treatment of eczema on the elbows is carried out after a comprehensive examination of the patient, identifying and eliminating the causes of the disease. Only after this is an individually selected complex therapy prescribed, which includes:
- diet;
- drug therapy;
- modern European and traditional oriental techniques;
- traditional methods.
To avoid relapses, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the disease.
Read more about our unique method of treating eczema
Drug therapy
How to treat eczema on the elbows? For this disease, experts prescribe:
- 2nd generation antihistamines (Claritin, Levocetirizine) in the form of injections or oral medications that relieve inflammation and itching; if itching is especially bothersome at night, treatment should be with 1st generation drugs (Suprastin, Tavegil), which have not only an antipruritic but also a hypnotic effect;
- external anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agents – brilliant green, fucorcin, aqueous solution of methylene blue, chlorhexidine, miramistin;
- in acute cases - solutions, creams, ointments with corticosteroids.
Treatment of atopic dermatitis
Cause-and-effect treatment involves eliminating the allergens that cause chronic symptoms. Sensitization is possible when antihistamines are prescribed as medications for allergic reactions in order to reduce the body's increased immune response.
In the case of children, the basis of treatment is the restoration of the damaged epidermal barrier and the temporary exclusion of harmful foods from the diet.
To treat rashes in the bends of the knees and elbows, the dermatologist selects steroid medications.
Symptomatic treatment consists of pharmacotherapy (treatment with drugs) - immunosuppressants, antihistamines or corticosteroids, wearing anti-allergic clothing and bandaging the affected areas after bathing. And. Dermatologists recommend phototherapy (UVA and UVB radiation) and photochemotherapy (PUVA).
Treatment of eczema on the elbows at the Paramita Clinic
Our clinic specializes in patients suffering from chronic skin diseases. Doctors were trained in the world's best medical centers. They own:
- all types of drug therapy;
- modern Western therapeutic techniques;
- traditional oriental methods - all of them were trained in these methods in China and Tibet.
The distinctive features of the clinic are an individual approach to the treatment of each patient, comfortable conditions and friendly attitude of the staff. The clinic’s specialists relieve patients from eczema on the elbows for a long time. And with regular maintenance treatment, patients forget about their illness forever.
To completely eliminate the causes and symptoms of eczema, we use not only creams, ointments and tablets, but also modern European and traditional Eastern methods:
- PRP therapy is a method that allows you to activate the body's defenses. Based on the ability of platelets to restore damaged tissue. The patient is injected with his own blood plasma enriched with platelets.
- Autohemotherapy – stimulation of the immune system by intramuscular injection of blood taken from the patient’s vein;
- Reflexology: acupuncture – needles are inserted into special acupuncture points (AP) on the patient’s body;
- moxotherapy - warming up the AT with wormwood cigarettes;
- acupressure.
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Using folk remedies at home
You can treat eczema at home only after consulting a doctor. There are many traditional methods for treating this disease. In case of severe weeping, you can make applications with a cold decoction of oak bark.
- take 4 tablespoons of bark, add hot water, cook for 15 minutes over low heat, cool, strain, add boiled water to the original level;
- place the decoction in the refrigerator and make daily applications, applying a napkin moistened with the decoction to the affected areas of the skin.
For dry eczema, you can apply a cut aloe leaf (with the inside) to your elbows - this softens the skin well and relieves itching.
Prevention of eczema on the elbows
Persons suffering from eczema or having close relatives with this disease should follow the following rules to prevent relapses:
- stick to a diet;
- avoid prolonged stress and high loads;
- promptly treat chronic diseases and foci of infection;
- stop using clothing made from synthetic fabrics;
- do not overheat or overcool, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun;
- avoid contact with possible allergens;
- carry out hygiene procedures using hypoallergenic gels and shampoos; wash clothes using neutral detergents.
Diet for people with atopic dermatitis
People with dermatological problems need to exclude allergens from their food: gluten, cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat and citrus fruits. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, should be included in the daily menu.
Sources of healthy fats:
- fatty sea fish (mackerel, salmon, tuna, sardines);
- oils (linseed, rapeseed, hemp);
- flax-seed;
- walnuts and almonds.
Fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants have anti-inflammatory effects.
It is important to avoid fast food, limit the consumption of sugar, hot spices, animal fats, coffee and tea. Drinks can be replaced with herbal decoctions of nettle, chamomile, and plantain. Vitamin D3 supplements, probiotics and prebiotics are helpful.
