Question
Thank you for the question. The circular patch can go for a patch of eczema. This is often aggravated by scratching and I think it would be advisable to tell your brother to refrain from scratching. Applying moisturizers to the area also helps the eczema.
Eczema also responds well to topical steroid creams.
If the patch is persistent, you can consider visiting your doctor to get it properly assessment. A fungal scraping may be ordered to rule out a fungal infection if necessary.
This is most likely atopic dermatitis, often also called eczema. Scratching it aggravtes and prolongs the duration of the rash. It also potentially introduces bacteria into the skin and result in an infection.
Taking antihistamines helps to relieve him of the itch and reduce the scratching.
Using moisturiser helps with repairing the skin and making it stronger and less prone to breaking, which further aggravates it.
He may need some steroid cream or one combined with and antibiotic as well to reduce the rash further.
A skin scrape will help tell if is fungal in origin so that the most appropriate cream can be used.
Avoid taking hot baths or showers. Whilst doing this might help with the itch initially, the increased blood flow to the skin will make the rash worse afterwards. Try putting a wet towel in the fridge. When it itches, place the cold wet towel on the rash to relieve the rash.
Understand that stress can also trigger the rash and make it worse.
It does sound like your daughter is still having eczema. In atopice eczema, the skin is often dry and sensitive and itchy. The constant scratching certainly does not help as it leads to breaks in the skin and worsens the eczema. Eczema can also affect other areas and is not always confined to the flexures. In eczema, besides dryness, the skin is also often red and inflamed. Dr Ethan’s advice not to scratch and to moisturize frequently is excellent. However, if the skin is red and inflamed, treatment to bring down the inflammation such as topical steroids or antibiotics may be needed.
Thanks for the question. If you have a diagnosis of psoriasis, there is a possibility that certain treatments can aggravate it. With psoriasis, damage or injury to the skin can cause psoriasis to develop at the site of the injury. This is know as the Koebner phenomenon. Therefore, you do have to take care that the treatment is gentle and does not cause any trauma or damage to the skin. Likewise, for eczema, the skin is sensitive and more prone to external insults, so you should avoid treatment if the facial skin is still red or irritated as this can be more easily aggravate by treatment.
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