All About Telehealth for Sensitive Skin Telehealth allows doctors to care for people virtually over a phone call, text message, or most commonly, video chat. Although some situations require an in-person visit, telehealth is a great option when you can't get to the doctor's office for your sensitive skin. If you're new to telehealth, here's what you need to know. Medicare will cover telehealth visits just like in-person visits, but state Medicaid programs and private insurers vary, so confirm your coverage in advance. With telehealth, even though you're not in the doctor's office, your private health information is still covered by HIPAA, so it will remain confidential and secure. Although your dermatologist can't give you a physical exam via telehealth, they can write prescriptions and offer quality care, especially if you prepare in advance. Before your telehealth appointment:- List any sensitive skin symptoms, including dates and severity- Keep note of what triggers your symptoms (such as weather or harsh soaps) and what eases your symptoms- Document any side effects from your medications or therapies- Compile a list of your health conditions, medications, and creams or moisturizers- Record your vital signs if you own a thermometer, blood pressure monitor, or another device- Write down any questions you have for your dermatologist- Charge your computer or phone- Make sure your internet is reliable- Download any telehealth apps your specific provider may require- Find a quiet, private space to conduct the call- Be prepared with pen and paper or a note-taking app Turn to Healthgrades to connect with the right dermatologist to treat sensitive skin via telehealth. And share this video to spread the word!

I'm Ashley, and this is my eczema confession. One of the most traumatic experiences with eczema would have to be the summer months. Everybody gets to wear whatever they want, short sleeves, bikinis, beautiful summer clothing. And when you have eczema, it's a whole different ball game. You cover up, your skin is exposed, it could break out at any moment in times notice. And just the stares that people inflict upon you is very, very traumatic. It's something that just doesn't leave you. And so that would be one of my most traumatic experiences, is dealing with the summer months. What scares me the most about eczema would be passing on this condition to my children. Any time I see an infant or a toddler or a small child with eczema, it is absolutely heartbreaking. So my biggest fear would be passing on this gene to my future kids. The silver lining about having eczema is that I have to become such a compassionate person. I listen to every single story. I pay attention to all the different things around me. Life is beautiful. People are beautiful. And everybody has something that they struggle through. We also have an incredible community. We are all so supportive of each other. So that's one thing I will never take for granted. I've made so many friends all across the world because eczema is global. And the last thing is that I see scientists and researchers and everything, and they are all coming together to really, really put an end to this condition. So I'm really excited about the future prospects, and hopefully we'll find a cure.

All About Telehealth for Eczema Telehealth allows doctors to care for people virtually over a phone call, text message, or most commonly, video chat. Although some situations require an in-person visit, telehealth is a great option when you can't get to the doctor's office for your eczema. If you're new to telehealth, here's what you need to know. Medicare will cover telehealth visits just like in-person visits, but state Medicaid programs and private insurers vary, so confirm your coverage in advance. With telehealth, even though you're not in the doctor's office, your private health information is still covered by HIPAA, so it will remain confidential and secure. Although your dermatologist can't give you a physical exam via telehealth, they can write you prescriptions and offer quality care, especially if you prepare in advance. Before your telehealth appointment:- Document any eczema symptoms (including dates and severity), like dry skin, itchiness, red to brownish-gray patches, or bumps- List any triggering factors, such as soaps or detergents, smoke, sweat, dry skin, and even stress- Compile a list of your health conditions and medications, including any creams, vitamins, and supplements- Note any side effects from your eczema medications or creams, as some can cause thinning skin or affect your immune system- Record your vital signs if you own a thermometer, blood pressure monitor, or another device- Write down questions you have for your doctor- Charge your computer or phone- Make sure your internet is reliable- Download any telehealth apps your specific provider may require- Find a quiet, private space to conduct the call- Be prepared with pen and paper or a note-taking app Turn to Healthgrades to connect with the right dermatologist to treat eczema via telehealth. And share this video to help spread the word!

Dr. Jaber: There is actually no medical definition for sensitive skin. Sensitive skin is a condition where people get irritated from certain things. Eczema is totally different. Eczema is an immune-type reaction. Dr. Shah: Basically, what sensitive skin is, is it's very delicate skin that tends to react easily to a number of different things. The skin breaks out easily, turns red, gets itchy, it may be dry or burning or stinging. Dr. Strachan: Eczema is a red, scaly patch, sort of flat lesion or plaque. Dr. Goldman: Eczema tends to be chronic and recurrent. They may have multiple days in a row that their skin is very itchy, rough, uncomfortable. Dr. Strachan: Get a diagnosis, because you may have something that you just need to manage a certain way. Dr. Goldman: Is this triggered from an autoimmune background or something in your family history or is it externally triggered? Dr. Shah: I discuss with them about keeping a potential diary and figure out if anything that they're coming into contact with is causing them to flare. Dr. Strachan: You want to avoid bathing too frequently. Dr. Jaber: You want to take short showers that are more lukewarm, not as hot. Dr. Shah: The most obvious trigger that they will notice is skin care products. Dr. Jaber: You want to avoid things that have alcohol, fragrances, acids, Retinol-type creams. Dr. Goldman: If you're looking at that ingredient list and it's longer than a book, it may be time to get off of it. Dr. Shah: And then, actually moisturizing the skin, head to toe. Dr. Jaber: So you want to pick things that are thicker, usually. You want to use creams or ointments and not use lotions. Dr. Shah: We know that sun can aggravate sensitive skin. Dr. Jaber: Look for a sunscreen that's a physical blocker. Dr. Goldman: I've had patients get better simply by washing their clothes in a milder cycle and not using harsh detergents. Dr. Jaber: You may not be able to use dryer sheets. You may not be able to use fabric softener. Dr. Strachan: Humidifying your environment can be really helpful. Dr. Goldman: There's really no reason to suffer and dermatologists may have many different ways to alleviate the itching. Dr. Jaber: The most important thing for eczema treatments is first, be good to your skin. Making sure that you sleep enough, you're adequately hydrated, you eat a healthy diet. Moderate your stress, your exercise. That can also improve your skin.

John: Having severe eczema is debilitating. It takes control of your entire life. Dr. Parikh: Hi, I'm Dr. Chiti Parikh. So today we're talking about severe eczema. We have two patients who will share their stories, and our expert, who will tell a bit more about the disease condition and how to manage it. Dr. Fishman: I think of severe eczema as people whose skin gets angry really easily, and gets inflamed really easily in response to many different things. People are usually very itchy, they're very uncomfortable. They have rashes, sometimes all over their body. John: So it basically feels like red, splotchy, burning sensations all over your body. You have open sores from scratching. And the itching is just non-stop. Dr. Fishman: I would say the most common triggers are things that irritate the skin, detergents... Low humidity and cold can definitely make it worse, but unfortunately high humidity and heat can also make it worse. John: When I'm working out and stuff and I'm starting to sweat, I start to flare up. Dr. Fishman: Sweat is a trigger for a lot of people. Stress and atopic dermatitis are very good friends, and I always tell patients, you've got to deal with the stress. Miwa: The stress at my job was getting pretty bad. I had to make a lifestyle change. I think when it affects your quality of life to the point where you're not sleeping very well at night because you're itchy, it can be really hard. John: It affects your relationships with everybody. Miwa: Yes. John: With my family, with friends. Dr. Parikh: Yeah. John: I'm so anxious all the time. Miwa: Right. John: It's no way to live. Dr. Fishman: Sometimes people think, oh, this is just a skin problem. It's really so much more than that. Dr. Parikh: What lifestyle changes have you incorporated? Miwa: I started doing acupuncture, exercising regularly. And I usually only wear cotton. John: I've changed my detergents to sensitive skin detergents. Dr. Fishman: I always say look for fragrance-free, which is different from unscented. Unscented actually has fragrance in it. Miwa: Also, I know that I have to use emollients every day. John: I use a lot of beeswax and there's no other chemicals in it. Dr. Fishman: You need to use these things daily as a preventative strategy. Dr. Parikh: So, what type of treatments have you tried? Miwa: I just started a new drug. It's a new biologic. And I've been on it for about six months. I've had really good results with it. Dr. Fishman: A biologic refers to a medication that treats a specific part of the inflammatory pathway. Steroids just kind of suppress the entire immune system. These are very targeted at specific inflammation pathways that are important in this disease. Miwa: Now, it's great. My quality of life has totally improved. John: I don't think about it as much. Dr. Parikh: Yeah. John: Because I'm not as concerned about it. Dr. Fishman: So many people are doing everything right. They're eating right, they're controlling their stress, and they still have this disease. You are not a failure if you have this disease.

Sensitive skin affects about 50% of American women and about 40% of American men, yet we still don't have a full understanding of this irritating issue. In fact, sensitive skin has puzzled researchers for decades. Fortunately, in recent years, experts have started to study it more closely. And what they've found might surprise you. 1. Sensitive skin means different things to different people. Although we don't have an exact definition, researchers generally agree that it's a condition in which skin is delicate and highly reactive to many different kinds of irritants. If you have sensitive skin, you might experience redness, itchiness, tingling, tightness, stinging, dryness, or other uncomfortable sensations. You might be affected by all of these symptoms, or just one or two. 2. Lots of different things can trigger a skin reaction. And everyone has different triggers. It can be frustrating to identify exactly what's irritating your skin. But it's important to avoid your unique triggers. The most common things that cause a sensitive skin reaction are heat, cold, stress, sun exposure, pollution, wind, chemicals, and fragrances like those in your lotion or laundry detergent. And throughout your life, your triggers may change. 3. The most common places to have sensitive skin are the face, hands, scalp, and feet. You can have sensitive skin anywhere on your body, but it's most likely to affect areas more exposed to the sun and other irritants. 4. Too many different serums and lotions may do more harm than good. We all want wrinkle-free, even-toned, glowing skin. And we use lots of products to make that happen. But using too many products at once can actually aggravate the skin and make it overly sensitive. Avoid this by sticking to only one or two products at a time. And make sure to wash your face with a gentle cleanser daily. 5. It's easy to confuse sensitive skin with skin allergies, but they're two different problems. If you experience a reaction to an allergen like a preservative or pet dander, that's considered an allergy. During an allergic reaction, your skin may become red and itchy. But sensitive skin reactions aren't usually visible. You might experience itching and burning without developing redness or puffiness. Although there's still a lot we don't know about sensitive skin, the information we've learned in recent years can lead to calmer, healthier skin and a calmer, healthier you.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Sensitive Skin 1. Almost half of all Americans have sensitive skin.Of those, sensitive skin is more common in women. 2. We don’t yet know what causes sensitive skin.Experts are researching why sensitive skin occurs, but we still don’t have an exact understanding. 3. Sensitive skin triggers may change as you age.You might react to dyes, fragrances and chemicals in products like makeup and laundry detergent. But over the years, your triggers may change! 4. Sensitive skin can be irritated by clothes. Fabrics like synthetics and wool can aggravate sensitive skin. Stick to clothing made from 100% cotton, silk, or linen. 5. Stress can make sensitive skin worse.Most triggers are physical or environmental, but studies show stress plays a role in irritating sensitive skin, too. Share this video to help spread the word about sensitive skin!

Aleidy: Take care of yourself, not only on the outside with moisturizers, but also from the inside out. Drink a lot of water. Try to figure out what foods trigger your skin to become irritated, and also avoid harsh fabrics and detergents. Aleidy: I had go through a whole trial and error of trying different moisturizers that were more gentle on my skin. I saw a dermatologist, and he recommended a fragrant-free moisturizer and a mild soap. Jessica: Coconut oil was really what I heard was kind of the best thing. No sulfates. No parabens. Really, any product that I put on my skin, I try to keep it as natural and organic as possible. Antoinette: I just cake my face full of petroleum jelly. It's like a mask for me, and I go to sleep with it. Aleidy: I prevent my skin from becoming dry, so when I come out of the shower, I moisturize right away. Jessica: I really try to limit what my makeup use is just because I think that I break out when I put too much makeup on. Aleidy: I also avoid very rough fabrics, and not too much sun exposure. Antoinette: Ever since I switched detergent, my skin is so much better now. Before, I used to use this very harsh detergent that literally broke out my skin the minute I put my shirt on and my pants on. Jessica: When I eat healthier, my whole body feels better, including my skin. Antoinette: Before, I would eat a lot of junk food, and I noticed that I had a lot of dark spots, but now that I eat fresh food, my skin has changed drastically. Aleidy: Hydrate. Drink a lot of water. If you feel very stressed, it can trigger you to have a breakout. Antoinette: One of the things that I do to help me manage my stress is actually working out and doing yoga. Jessica: I take a lot of classes: Zumba, Pilates, spin. Aleidy: It helps my pores open up when you're sweating. It's good to sweat out, to sweat it out. Jessica: My skin glows and feels so much better. Aleidy: As I've gotten older, it's actually better because I am more careful about my skin. I've been through so many different treatments that I know now what works for my skin, and I know triggers, what to avoid, how to prevent my skin from becoming irritated in the first place.

Venetta: My name is Venetta and this is my daughter ... Skyla: Skyla. Hailey: My name is Hailey and this is my mom. Jessica: I'm Jessica and this is my daughter ... Sadie: Sadie. Aleidy: What tips do you have for children which sensitive skin? Hailey: Well, I think that you guys shouldn't scratch 'cause then it makes it itch more. Use mild detergent and mild soap. Don't wear rough clothing 'cause then it could make it irritated. The most important thing, moisturize every day. If it still itches, tell a parent and they could help you. Skyla: One time I was using a soap which was my mom's and then my legs broke out and then slowly my arms and then my stomach and then my back. Hailey: Detergents and soaps- Aleidy: Jeans. Hailey: And jeans, sometimes. Venetta: So we have to stick to like the same detergent, the same lotion, and the same soap. Hailey: I'm supposed to stay away from food coloring and acidic foods like milk. I can't eat chocolate which is really bad 'cause I love chocolate. Jessica: Can you tell me what it feels like? Sadie: A bug bite. Skyla: Itchy. Hailey: It feels really uncomfortable and annoying and I wish it can just go away. Sadie: Once I tried putting a Band-aid on it but it didn't help. Hailey: I would scratch so much it would start getting red and sometimes it would start bleeding. Skyla: I scratched so hard until it burns. Hailey: You know like that feeling when you see like a cake and you're not supposed to eat it. It's like that for me. That I wanna scratch so badly. I try my best not to. Sadie: Usually I see like this big bump that's like pinkish reddish. Hailey: Like people were asking, "What's that on your skin?" And then I said, "It's eczema." And they're like, "Is it contagious?" And I have to keep on saying, "No, it isn't." Aleidy: It makes me feel sad that she might think that people might judge her based on her skin. But I'm also very proud of her because she's a strong girl and a very confident girl. Hailey: I don't really worry about that because I take care of it and I try my best. Skyla: When my body breaks out, I put a lot of lotion and I have to use it to get the scars away. Sadie: I call you and you put the cream on it. Hailey: I put petroleum jelly on because it helps with my dry skin. Jessica: How does it make it feel? Sadie: It stings a little bit. Then there's no more bump or pinkish reddish on it. Jessica: Hurray!

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Stubborn Eczema 1. Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema. More than 18 million adults have atopic dermatitis, which occurs when the immune system overreacts to triggers. 2. New medications can control severe eczema.After many years without significant developments, new medications were recently approved to treat stubborn eczema. 3. Skin infections are common for people with eczema.Scratching eczema patches can open wounds, allowing bacteria, fungi and viruses to enter. 4. People with eczema should use soap sparingly.Soap tends to dry out skin, making eczema worse. If you have eczema, only soap up areas like the groin and underarms. 5. Add certain ingredients to your bath to alleviate eczema symptoms.To ease pain, add 1 cup table salt to lukewarm bath water. To relieve itching, pour in 1 cup oatmeal or 1/4 cup baking soda. Turn to Healthgrades.com to connect with the right dermatologist for treating your eczema. And share this video to help spread the word!

I'm Shelley, and this is my eczema confession. I've had eczema my entire life. And while it's cleared up a lot since I've gotten older, one of the most dramatic experiences I can remember as a kid was having white splotches all over my thighs during the summer, and having other kids make fun of me. And to this day, I don't like wearing shorts. My eczema condition doesn't really scare me so much, but I do think about it in the summer, and in the winter as the climate changes, and whether or not I'm going to be uncomfortable behind my knees or have splotches under my eyes. It's something I think about from time to time. The silver lining about my condition is that it's easy to control. I've gotten it under control. There's amazing medications and moisturizers, and creams, and oils that you can use. And in fact, I've had kind of a fun time finding what works for me.