Your doctor will be able to determine if your eczema is also infected with staph. If so, she will prescribe some sort of antibiotic treatment.

Mupirocin and fusidic acid are the two commonly prescribed creams in these cases. [4] X Research source

Many oral antibiotics are available. If your infection is recurrent, draining, or very recent, your doctor may need to swab the area to determine what sort of infections you might have and what they are resistant to. This will inform his decision as to which oral medications should be prescribed. [6] X Research source

Apply four times a day for no longer than seven days. If you have shown no improvement by then, you should speak with your doctor. [7] X Research source Do not begin use of any other hydrocortisone product until you have spoken with your doctor.

These creams can cause the skin to thin and produce stretch marks. [8] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source These medications must be prescribed by a doctor. Always apply strictly as recommended by your doctor. Do not use more often than recommended. Your doctor may suggest mixing your steroid cream with a good, thick moisturizing cream or ointment to reduce the dose and manage flares — you want to use as little of this product as possible to reduce side effects.

Two name brand creams that are currently on the market are Elidel and Protopic.

Although these treatments remove much of the UV light that causes the negative effects you would experience in a tanning bed, you still may experience some of the consequences associated with prolonged exposure to light. These risks include aging, burning, and even skin cancer. This treatment also requires two to three visits to the doctor per week, for a period of a month to two months. Thus, it can mean a substantial time commitment. To receive phototherapy, you will likely need to talk to a dermatologist who can refer you to a hospital that has the appropriate facilities. [10] X Research source Do not attempt at-home treatments. Proper facilities will remove much of the dangerous UV light. If you try to replicate this treatment with prolonged exposure to sunlight or sun tanning beds, you will put yourself at considerable risk for skin cancer and other skin problems.

Take bleach baths to kill bacteria and prevent outbreaks. Use half a cup of bleach for a full bathtub and soak for approximately 10 minutes. Try to use this procedure approximately two to three times a week. [12] X Research source For a more natural antibacterial bath, add between one cup and one pint of vinegar. If, during a significant flare-up, your skin is too irritated for bath water, try adding salt. Put one cup of table salt in the water to reduce discomfort. To reduce itching, try baking soda or oatmeal baths. Throw in approximately a cup of either to sooth your skin.

Some people recommend taking the shower and using a moisturizer before going to bed at night. This makes it less likely that your skin will dry out during the night. Lotions often evaporate too quickly to effectively treat dry skin and creams have additional ingredients that can cause adverse reactions in people with eczema. The best moisturizers for those with eczema are ointments like petroleum jelly and mineral oil. These should not be adulterated with perfumes or other ingredients. Pure petroleum jelly is best, even though many people dislike the feeling of it. Look for a cream or ointment with ceramides, which help in keeping a good skin barrier. You can also use food-grade oils such as coconut oil, which has some antimicrobial activity.

If you keep your fingernails short, it will cause less damage if you do feel compelled to scratch.

Try removing carpets from your house. Food allergies may trigger eczema. Try keeping a food and symptom diary, keeping track of what you eat and when you experience a flare-up. This may help you identify foods that you should eliminate from your diet. Pet dander can be a contributing factor. Most dander can be removed from dogs by bathing them once every three days. Otherwise, try to keep pets outside or off couches. Replace air filters often to reduce the amount of dander circulating through your home. Do your best to clean the house thoroughly. This includes sweeping and dusting. [18] X Trustworthy Source National Eczema Association Nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those with eczema through research and education Go to source