Nonsteroidal Lip Eczema Treatment: Atopiclair Review

 

According to Patientinfo.com, use of topical corticosteroids can include the following. (I've summarized them, so click on the link for more detailed info.)

Local Effects:

• stinging or burning feeling on initial application
• thinning of the skin
• stretch marks, bruising, and spidery blood vessels with long-term use
• may trigger or worsen other skin disorders (e.g. acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis)
• change in skin color, especially for dark-skinned people
• more hair growth around the area of application
• development of allergy to the contents of the corticosteroid

 Systemic Effects:

• some get through the bloodstream
• fluid collection in the legs
• high blood pressure
• bone damage
• Cushing's syndrome

I didn't want any of that, or I want to avoid them as much as I could. I especially disliked the thought of thinning skin. I've seen it on my mom who used to apply Dermovate and other corticosteroids on her eczema on her foot. Yes, they were effective, but they also made her skin much more prone to lesions. Also, Since my worst eczema flareup is always on my lips, I dislike the idea of corticosteroid getting in my mouth. It was just unavoidable.

Image Source: atopiclair.com

I got introduced to Atopiclair when they sponsored a forum on eczema at the school where I used to teach. What caught my attention was the fact that it was non-steroidal. So I bought it about 2 years ago and tried it.

My experience:

• It was good at relieving itchiness and burning sensations.
• Worked as well as corticosteroid cream (Elica was what I used to use).
• I didn't worry about reapplying as often as I needed to as it was non-steroidal.
• My conditions improved within 3-5 days.

To learn more about the ingredients of Atopiclair, visit their FAQ page: http://www.atopiclairasia.com/faq

I no longer use Atopiclair as I now use more natural options. But would I use it again? Yes, as I find it is effective in treating my eczema flareups especially the itching and burning sensations. Would I recommend it? Yes, especially since you don't need prescription (at least in the Philippines) to buy it. It's a little more expensive than a small tube of Elica, but the Atopiclair tube is much bigger. 

Lip Eczema Treatment: My Experiences with Topical Corticosteroids

Topical corticosteroids are effective in the treatment of eczema, especially lip eczema. I have tried a few of them, and I'd like to share some of my experiences.

Corticosteroids that I've Tried

Elica by Bayer

The first corticosteroid I used was Elica (mometasone furoate). It was prescribed to me by our school physician. I have to say it was very effective. It relieved me of discomfort in a matter of half hour or so.

Oftentimes, my eczema flareup would greatly improve after several days of treatment. She reminded me not to use it for more than 2 weeks. I used it on other areas of my body where I would get eczema flareups, and in 2 days or so, I would see improvement.

Dermatologist Prescribed Hydrocortisone Creams

I've also tried unlabeled hydrocortisone creams prescribed by dermatologists. These are creams that dermatologists carry themselves or they put a sticker on the container with their name on it. Over the three times that I consulted with a dermatologist, I experienced them offering me a hydrocortisone cream they carry. And all these times I bought them.

I didn't like the consistency of these creams. I also didn't find them as fast acting as Elica, so I just went back to using Elica.

Reminder

Please don't take this as a medical advice. You might be allergic to some of the contents of Elica or any hydrocortisone cream. Consult with a trusted doctor or dermatologist first before applying any topical corticosteroid.

I do have to say I have a level of mistrust on Philippine dermatologists, especially since in my experience, I still have yet to meet a dermatologist that really cares. The ones I've met were all just concerned about pushing their products and customers buying the products. They didn't discuss with me options and long-term side effects, especially not in detail.

Anyway, I hope you find this helpful. Let me know your thoughts or your experiences. That just might help other eczema sufferers out there.