Eczema
Eczema is chronic, unpredictable, and can be genuinely disruptive to your daily life, but with the right management plan, we can help you keep it under control.
Atopic dermatitis, which is the most common form of eczema, affects roughly 31 million Americans, but many patients still spend years managing it with over-the-counter products that never truly address the underlying condition. A board-certified dermatologist brings access to prescription-strength treatments, newer biologic therapies, and the clinical experience to build a management plan that actually fits your specific case. At Element Dermatology in Sartell, MN, we treat eczema as the complex, individual condition it is.
About This Condition
What Is Eczema and Why Do I Get It?
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition driven by a combination of genetic and immune factors. At its core, it involves a defect in the skin barrier, which is the protective outer layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out. When the skin barrier is compromised, the skin loses water more rapidly, becomes dry and reactive, and lets allergens and irritants in that can trigger an immune response. The resulting inflammation produces the itch, redness, and raw patches that define an eczema flare.
The itch-scratch cycle is one of the most difficult aspects of the condition. Scratching inflamed skin further disrupts the skin barrier, worsens inflammation, and increases the risk of infection. Yet the itch is intense enough that resisting it, especially at night, is genuinely difficult. Breaking this cycle is a core part of effective management, which is why it’s important to treat both the inflammation and the barrier at the same time.
Common triggers we help patients identify and manage:
Environmental Factors
Cold, dry air is one of the most common triggers for eczema patients in Central Minnesota. Indoor heating removes moisture from the air, and outdoor cold directly compromises your skin barrier. These environmental factors can be mitigated by using a bedroom humidifier, applying a barrier-focused moisturizer immediately after bathing, and wearing protective clothing outdoors, all of which reduce the impact of the environment on the skin.
Irritants and Allergens
Scented skincare products, laundry detergents, wool and synthetic fabrics, cigarette smoke, and certain cleaning products can all trigger flares in sensitive skin. Identifying personal irritants is often the most underutilized step in eczema management. Patch testing can identify contact allergens when the pattern suggests allergic contact dermatitis is contributing.
Stress
Psychological stress is a well-known trigger for eczema flare ups. It activates inflammatory pathways that worsen barrier function and amplify the itch sensation. While stress management isn't the whole solution, patients who address stress as part of their overall eczema plan tend to have fewer and less severe flares than those who focus only on topical treatment.
Sweat and Heat
Sweating can trigger eczema flares in some patients, as sweat tends to irritate already-compromised skin. Exercise-induced flares are common, so rinsing off promptly after sweating, wearing moisture-wicking fabrics, and keeping affected areas cool can reduce the impact of sweat as a trigger without requiring patients to avoid physical activity.
Eczema is a chronic condition, and most patients need to think about management as an ongoing practice instead of as a problem that gets fixed once and goes away. Those who do best are the patients who understand their triggers, maintain consistent barrier support between flares, and know which treatments to reach for when a flare begins. We'll help you build that knowledge and a plan that works with your life.
Targeted Treatments
Prescription Topical Treatments
Topical corticosteroids at appropriate potencies for the affected area and severity, alongside non-steroidal alternatives such as tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel), constitute the first-line treatment for most patients with eczema.
Biologic Therapy (Dupixent)
Biologic medications target the specific inflammatory pathways driving atopic dermatitis. Dupilumab (Dupixent) is the most well-known, but several biologics are now available, each targeting different pathways. Our team will assess your history and severity to determine which is the right fit for you.
Barrier Repair and Maintenance
A tailored daily routine built around prescription-grade emollients, gentle cleansers, and strategic moisturizing forms the foundation of every eczema management plan. We help patients build a practical routine alongside barrier support for the best combined effect.
Trigger Identification and Patch Testing
For patients whose eczema has an allergic contact component (where a specific substance is driving the reaction), patch testing identifies the culprit. Removing a confirmed contact allergen from the environment can dramatically reduce flare frequency.
Phototherapy
Narrowband UVB phototherapy is an effective treatment option for moderate-to-severe eczema that hasn't responded adequately to topical treatments. It works by dampening the immune response in the skin and can produce remission in patients who respond well.
Flare Management Plan
Knowing what to do when a flare starts is as important as preventing one. We work with every eczema patient to build a clear, practical flare protocol, including which treatments to reach for, in what sequence, and when to contact us for escalation.
Schedule Your Eczema Consultation Today
Frequently Asked Questions About Eczema
Will my eczema ever go away permanently?
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For some patients, especially children, eczema does improve or remit with age. Many adults find that their disease becomes milder over time. For others, it remains a lifelong condition that requires ongoing management. The honest answer is that we can't predict with certainty which course any individual patient's eczema will take. What we can do is help you get it as well-controlled as possible, reduce flare frequency, and build a management approach that minimizes the impact on your daily life.
What is a biologic?
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Biologics are injectable medications that target specific inflammatory pathways in the immune system rather than broadly suppressing it. For eczema, this means blocking the signals that drive the skin's overactive inflammatory response. Several biologics are now approved for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, with Dupixent (dupilumab) being the most widely used. Qualification is based on disease severity, prior treatment history, and insurance criteria. Dr. LaBine and team will assess whether a biologic is appropriate for your situation and can manage the prior authorization process with your insurer.
My child has eczema. Can you treat them?
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We can! Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions in children, and our team has extensive experience managing pediatric atopic dermatitis. Treatment in children requires age-appropriate product selection, careful attention to steroid potency and duration in developing skin, and a practical approach that parents can actually implement as part of a daily routine. We'll work with you and your child to build a management plan that's effective and realistic.
Why does my eczema get so much worse in the winter?
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Cold air holds less moisture than warm air, and indoor heating reduces humidity further. The combination rapidly pulls moisture from the skin, compromising the barrier and making it far more reactive to triggers. Minnesota winters are hard on eczema-prone skin, and the temperature swings between outdoor cold and indoor heat are especially hard on the skin barrier. The practical interventions that help most are a bedroom humidifier running overnight, applying a thick fragrance-free emollient immediately after showering before the skin fully dries, and covering exposed skin outdoors.