Eczema in Adults: Dealing with Itching

WebMD Feature

By Ellen Greenlaw

Reviewed By Laura J. Martin, MD

The itching of eczema can sometimes feel unbearable. And yet, the more you scratch, the itchier your skin becomes.

To stop the cycle of eczema, here are six tips to soothe the itch.

1. Moisturize skin affected by eczema often.

In most cases, moisturizers are the first step in itch control. Applying moisturizer helps lock in your skin’s own moisture. "Recent studies reveal that individuals with eczema have gaps between the cells in their skin that allow allergens to get in," says Andrea Cambio, MD, FAAD, medical director of Cambio Dermatology in southwest Florida. "Moisturizer can fill these gaps and make it harder for allergens to get into the skin."

The key is to moisturize often, especially right after bathing or washing. Look for a moisturizer that is unscented, because additives and fragrances can irritate the skin. For the most moisture protection, choose a thicker ointment, like petroleum jelly. Ointments contain more oil than water and are more effective than creams or lotions at locking in moisture.

But the most important thing is to choose a moisturizer you like. "If you like how the moisturizer feels on your skin, you’re more likely to use it often," says Lawrence Eichenfield, MD, chief of Pediatric Dermatology at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.

2. Take an oatmeal or bleach bath.

A short bath in lukewarm water with colloidal oatmeal can help ease itching. Purchase a pre-packaged oatmeal bath mix at your local drug store. Follow the directions on the label and soak about 15 to 20 minutes. After your bath, gently pat yourself dry with a soft towel. Then apply moisturizer right away, ideally while the skin is still damp.

Diluted bleach baths can reduce your risk of getting a skin infection that may worsen your eczema symptoms. For a bleach bath, add 1/2 cup of bleach for a full tub of water, or 1/4 cup for a half tub of water and mix well. Soak for about 10 minutes, and then rinse your skin with clean lukewarm water. Because bleach can be caustic, be sure to talk to your doctor first.

3. Use cold compresses to soothe itchy skin.

Cold compresses applied to the skin can also soothe itch. You can place an ice pack inside a plastic bag or soft towel. Hold the ice next to the itchy skin for a few minutes or as needed to help relieve itch.

4. Wear comfortable fabrics that feel good.

Choose comfortable, loose-fitting fabrics that make your skin feel good. Cottons and cotton blends are usually the most comfortable. Avoid coarse materials, wool, and synthetic fabrics since these fabrics can irritate your skin.

5. Keep your fingernails short to prevent skin damage.

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How to Deal With Eczema Protect and soothe your skin with these tips Are You Managing Eczema Well? Find out what you're doing right – and what you're doing wrong. Find us on:URAC: Accredited Health Web SiteHonCode: Health on the Net FoundationAdChoicesAbout WebMD Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy Site Map Careers Contact UsMedscape Reference eMedicineHealth RxList Medscape MedicineNet BootsWebMD WebMD CorporateMedical Dictionary-->First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record WebMD Mobile Newsletters Dictionary Physician Directory

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Do Older Adults Need Vitamins, Supplements?

ByKathleen Doheny
WebMD Health News Reviewed byLouise Chang, MD

Nov. 30, 2012 -- At least half of adults age 65 and above take daily vitamins and other supplements, but only a fraction actually need them, says an Emory University expert.

The majority of older adults, he says, can improve their diet to get needed nutrients.

"A lot of money is wasted in providing unnecessary supplements to millions of people who don't need them," says Donald B. McCormick, PhD, an Emory professor emeritus of biochemistry and the graduate program in nutrition and health sciences at Emory.

He challenges what he says is a widely held belief that the older people get, the more vitamins and mineral supplements they need.

The scientific backup for that doesn’t exist, he says. "We know too little to suggest there is a greater need in the elderly for most of these vitamins and minerals."

"A supplement does not cure the aging process," he says. And in some cases, supplements may do harm, he says. Expense is another factor.

His report, which reviews numerous studies of vitamins and mineral supplements, is published in Advances in Nutrition.

Duffy MacKay, ND, vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs for the Council for Responsible Nutrition, an industry group representing dietary supplement makers, agrees that starting with a good diet is the best way to get needed nutrients.

But he says that is not always reality, especially for older adults who may have obstacles such as a reduced appetite.

Older-Adult Nutrient Needs

McCormick reviewed studies on dietary supplements in older adults published in the last 12 years.

He says that ''it is apparent that changes in requirements for the elderly do not suggest massive supplement use covering most micronutrients." He says minor diet changes can fill needs for nutrients, ''with supplements included only where there is evidence of serious limitation of intake."

He disagrees with a study suggesting that older adults should take two multivitamins a day. He found no evidence that older adults need more thiamin, riboflavin, or niacin than younger people. Some older adults may need more vitamin B6, B12, and folate, research suggests.

But vitamin C needs do not seem to change with age, he says, if an older adult does not smoke cigarettes.

McCormick also found no evidence that absorption or the body's use of vitamin E changes as people get older. He says there is a decrease in the way the skin makes vitamin D. So for some older adults, supplemental vitamin D may be needed. In some research, taking 800 to 1,000 IUs of vitamin D a day helped women who were past menopause.

Copper requirements don't seem to change with age, either, McCormick says.

Older adults often take in less chromium, but he says there is not evidence that there are any health consequences.

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Firm Stops Making Generic Lipitor After Recall

ByDaniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Health News Reviewed byLouise Chang, MD

Nov. 30, 2012 -- After recalling 41 lots of its generic Lipitor -- atorvastatin -- the FDA says Ranbaxy Inc. will stop making the drug "until it has thoroughly investigated" how glass particles got into the medication.

Although Ranbaxy supplied more than 40% of the generic cholesterol-lowering drug sold in the U.S., the FDA says it does not expect a shortage. Five other firms make generic Lipitor: Sandoz, Teva, Apotex, Mylan, and Dr. Reddy's.

The FDA says the tiny glass particles contaminating Ranbaxy's atorvastatin have only "a remote possibility" of causing harm. Ranbaxy says the particles, about the size of a grain of sand, might cause "physical irritation."

Ranbaxy makes atorvastatin, and puts it into pill form at its U.S. facilities. The active ingredient, however, comes from India. Ranbaxy's preliminary investigation suggests that this active ingredient was contaminated with the glass particles, according to FDA public information officer Sarah Clark-Lynn.

To date, there have been no reports of harm linked to Ranbaxy generic Lipitor.

It's not the first sign of trouble for Ranbaxy, the huge Indian pharmaceutical company owned by Japan's Daiichi Sankyo. Last January, the company signed an FDA-requested consent decree closing plants in India and the U.S. until it made "fundamental changes." None of those plants made the recently recalled generic Lipitor products.

The company admitted to several serious charges, including submitting false data to the FDA, failing to prevent contamination of sterile drugs, failing to prevent penicillin contamination of non-penicillin drugs, and inadequate testing of drugs to ensure they kept their potency until their expiration date.

The U.S. Justice Department said the action was "unprecedented in its scope."

Recalled Generic Lipitor

The recalled atorvastatin comes as a white tablet packaged in plastic bottles. The 10-mg tablets bear the imprint "RX12," the 20-mg tablets bear the imprint ''RX828," and the 40-mg tablets bear the imprint "RX829." No 80-mg tablets are included in the recall.

Here's the list of the recalled atorvastatin products:

 

Product

Lot Number

Pack Size

NDC #

Expiry Date

ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 10mg x 90 2436144 90's Bottle 63304-827-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 10mg x 90 2436582 90's Bottle 63304-827-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 10mg x 90 2441567 90's Bottle 63304-827-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 10mg x 90 2441568 90's Bottle 63304-827-90 31-Aug-14           ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 20mg x 90 2436731 90's Bottle 63304-828-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 20mg x 90 2437381 90's Bottle 63304-828-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 20mg x 90 2437940 90's Bottle 63304-828-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 20mg x 90 2437942 90's Bottle 63304-828-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 20mg x 90 2437945 90's Bottle 63304-828-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 20mg x 90 2437947 90's Bottle 63304-828-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 20mg x 90 2437952 90's Bottle 63304-828-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 20mg x 90 2437953 90's Bottle 63304-828-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 20mg x 90 2437960 90's Bottle 63304-828-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 20mg x 90 2440676 90's Bottle 63304-828-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 20mg x 90 2440677 90's Bottle 63304-828-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 20mg x 90 2440680 90's Bottle 63304-828-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 20mg x 90 2440681 90's Bottle 63304-828-90 31-Aug-14           ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 500 2437956 500's Bottle 63304-829-05 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 500 2437957 500's Bottle 63304-829-05 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 500 2440675 500's Bottle 63304-829-05 31-Aug-14           ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2434265 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Jul-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2434266 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Jul-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2434824 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Jul-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2434826 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Jul-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2434827 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Jul-14

  ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2434828 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Jul-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2434829 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Jul-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2434830 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Jul-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2434831 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Jul-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2436580 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2436725 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2436727 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2436729 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2437377 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2437380 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2437941 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2437943 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2437944 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2437949 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2437950 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Aug-14 ATORVASTATIN Calcium Tablets 40mg x 90 2437955 90's Bottle 63304-829-90 31-Aug-14

 

View Article Sources

SOURCES:

News release, FDA.

FDA web site.

Department of Justice web site.

Ranbaxy web site.

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Your total cholesterol level is in the Desirable range, but your level of "bad" LDL cholesterol is High. This may mean that your level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good" cholesterol, is too low. It is best to have a high level of "good" HDL and a low level of "bad" LDL. The HDL helps keep your LDL level in check. Ask your doctor for your HDL level. If your HDL is low, increasing your physical activity can increase it, which may help reduce your LDL level.

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Your total cholesterol level is Borderline High, but fortunately your level of "bad" LDL cholesterol is optimal. This could mean you have a high level of high-density lipoprotein, or "good" HDL cholesterol, which protects against heart disease. Or you could have other non-measured increases in LDL-like particles that can increase heart disease. Your LDL level also could be optimal if you are taking a statin medication. Please check with your doctor to get your complete lipid profile and see if you may need additional treatment. In the meantime, find more information on WebMD's Cholesterol Health Center.

Your total cholesterol level is Borderline High, but fortunately your level of "bad" LDL cholesterol is near optimal. This could mean you have a high level of high-density lipoprotein, or "good" HDL cholesterol, which protects against heart disease. Or you could have other non-measured increases in LDL-like particles that can increase heart disease. Your LDL level also could be optimal if you are taking a statin medication. Please check with your doctor to get your complete lipid profile and see if you may need additional treatment. In the meantime, find more information on WebMD's Cholesterol Health Center.

Your total cholesterol level is Borderline High. Your level of "bad" LDL cholesterol is Borderline High, too. Working to bring down your total cholesterol decreases your LDL cholesterol level. You can do this by exercising more and eating less food with saturated fats. Check food labels!

Your total cholesterol level is Borderline High. Your level of "bad" LDL cholesterol is High. Working to bring down your total cholesterol decreases your LDL cholesterol level. You can do this by exercising more and eating less food with saturated fats. Check food labels!

Your total cholesterol level is Borderline High. But your level of "bad" LDL cholesterol is Very High. Working to bring down your total cholesterol decreases your LDL cholesterol level. You can do this by exercising more and eating less food with saturated fats. Check food labels!

Your total cholesterol is High, but your level of "bad" LDL cholesterol is optimal. This could mean you have a high level of high-density lipoprotein, or "good" HDL cholesterol, which protects against heart disease. Or you could have elevated secondary lipids, such as non-HDL particles that increase the risk of heart disease. Your LDL level also could be optimal if you are taking a statin medication. Please check with your doctor to get your complete lipid profile and see if you may need additional treatment. In the meantime, find more information on WebMD's Cholesterol Health Center.

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Your total cholesterol level is High. Your level of "bad" LDL cholesterol is Borderline High. Working to bring down your total cholesterol decreases your LDL cholesterol level. You can do this by exercising more and eating less food with saturated fats. Check food labels!

Your total cholesterol level is High. Your level of "bad" LDL cholesterol is High, too. Working to bring down your total cholesterol decreases your LDL cholesterol level. You can do this by exercising more and eating less food with saturated fats. Check food labels! If you are struggling to bring down your total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, your doctor may prescribe medication, such as statins. Following medication, dietary, and exercise instructions should result in improvements.

Your total cholesterol level is High, and your level of "bad" LDL cholesterol is Very High. Working to bring down your total cholesterol decreases your LDL cholesterol level. You can do this by exercising more and eating less food with saturated fats. Check food labels! If you are struggling to bring down your total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, your doctor may prescribe statins or other cholesterol-lowering medications.

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More Sleep May Help Some People Feel Less Pain

ByDenise Mann
WebMD Health News Reviewed byLouise Chang, MD

Dec. 1, 2012 -- Not getting enough sleep? Some extra Zzzs each night may improve more than just your daytime alertness. New research shows more sleep may also improve your ability to withstand pain.

In fact, sleepy volunteers who got about two hours more sleep per night for four nights showed improvements in a test measuring pain sensitivity. Participants who got more sleep were also a lot more alert during the daytime.

“If you are already sleeping eight hours a night, you probably don’t need more sleep,” says researcher Thomas Roth, PhD. He is director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. But “if you spend six hours in bed a night, spend eight -- preferably nine,” he says.  

The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults get seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

“For people who don’t get enough sleep, sleeping longer decreases pain sensitivity,” he says. This likely holds for all types of pain, including chronic back pain and other painful disorders, Roth says.

Slideshow: A Visual Guide to Sleep Disorders

More Sleep Equals Less Pain

The study included 18 healthy adults aged 21 to 35 who did not have any pain. Half spent 10 hours in bed for four nights, and the others kept to their usual nighttime bed schedules.  People in the extended sleep group raked in close to two hours more sleep per night due to their new bedtime ritual, an average of 8.9 hours per night vs. 7.14 hours per night among those who kept their own schedule.

The researchers measured pain by how long participants could keep a finger held to a heat source. The amount increased by 25% in those in the extended sleep group after just four days. Previous research suggests this is comparable to taking a 60-mg dose twice a day of the painkiller codeine.

Exactly how more sleep can help improve pain is not fully understood. “We think that sleep loss and pain both increase levels of inflammatory markers, but getting more sleep may help decrease this inflammation,” Roth says.

The next step is to look at people getting ready for surgery to see if treating any underlying sleep issues can affect their pain sensitivity and the amount of painkillers they require, Roth says.

The findings appear in December issue of Sleep.

“When they extended their sleep, participants were able to withstand a greater time before they withdrew their fingers form heat,” says Harley Greenberg, MD. He is the medical director of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Sleep Disorders Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y. But “it is a big jump to apply this to patients with chronic pain syndrome.”

The study period was brief, and getting more sleep on a regular basis may have even more pronounced effects on pain, he says.

“A relatively short-lived increase in sleep time in healthy adults reduces pain sensitivity,” says Roger B. Fillingim, PhD. He is the director of the University of Florida Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence in Gainesville. "This is among the first studies I have seen to show that a modest sleep improvement reduces pain sensitivity."

Sleep expert Michael Breus, PhD, says that sleep and pain are intimately connected. “When you are sleepy, you are cranky, moody, depressed, and anxious,” he says.  “Every injury or type of pain gets worse with less sleep.”

View Article Sources

SOURCES:

Thomas Roth, PhD, director, Sleep Disorders Center, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit.

Harly Greenberg, MD, Medical Director, North Shore-LIJ Sleep Disorders Center, New Hyde Park, N.Y.

Michael Breus, PhD, sleep expert, Norfolk, Va.

Roger B. Fillingim, PhD, director, University of Florida Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, Gainesville, Fla.

Roehrs, T.A. Sleep, 2012, study received ahead of print.

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