I often have eczema in small areas on my body. I now have it in large areas under both armpits.

Question

I am currently under a lot of unusual stress because of my daughter's wedding plans. What can I do? I have at home Curel itching cream but is not effective this time st I have a 1% hydrocortisone tibe. Thank you! Hello! Thank you very much for your detailed and quick response, it is much appreciated! I will implement your recommendations today. I wish you a nice end of day! :)

David Tan · Accepted Answer

Hello, Stress is indeed a great trigger for eczema flare-ups. You could indeed apply hydrocortisone 1% cream twice a day, morning and evening, on the irritated areas. I also suggest applying a moisturizing cream (e.g. Glaxal Base, Cerave, Cetaphil, Aveeno, etc.) 10-15 minutes after each application of cortisone; cortisone decreases the symptoms of redness and itching, but it dries the skin. The goal is to reduce dryness as much as possible, as dry skin promotes eczema. If the symptoms are severe enough, you could also take Benadryl in caplets at a rate of 1 tablet 4 times a day until the symptoms disappear. This is a very strong medication, but beware of drowsiness. I hope this answers your question. If there is anything else, please let me know and I will be happy to help you. Sincerely, David Tan, pharmacist Also be sure to wipe your underarm area as much as possible. As your skin is somewhat fragile, moisture should be minimized as it can lead to fungal infections if it persists. Also avoid antiperspirants, as they are often aluminum-based and can further irritate the skin.