Eczema doesn’t wait for a convenient time to flare. It shows up during a stressful week, after a trip, or with a change of season, and it’s one of the most common reasons patients come see us at Snyder Dermatology, at every age, from babies to adults who’ve dealt with it their whole lives. Our board-certified Austin dermatologists work on two things at once: calming what’s happening right now, and figuring out what keeps setting it off.
What Is Eczema?
Eczema (your dermatologist might call it atopic dermatitis, same condition) is a chronic issue that leaves skin dry, itchy, and inflamed. It usually starts in childhood, though plenty of adults deal with it too, either because it never fully went away or because it resurfaced later in life. It flares and settles rather than staying at a constant level, which means many patients get long stretches of genuinely clear skin between episodes.
What Sets Off an Eczema Flare?
Eczema tends to run in families, and if your skin has always leaned dry or reactive, you’re more likely to deal with flares. Common triggers include:
- Cold, dry air or a sudden swing in temperature
- Allergens like pollen, pet dander, or certain foods
- Harsh soaps, detergents, or anything heavily fragranced
- Hormonal changes, including pregnancy and puberty
- Stress (this one surprises people, but it’s real)
What Eczema Looks and Feels Like
- Dry, cracked, or scaly patches
- Itching that can range from mildly annoying to genuinely hard to ignore
- Redness and visible inflammation
- Small bumps that ooze or crust if scratched
- Thickened or discolored skin where flares happen repeatedly
Board-Certified Dermatologists
MEET OUR DOCTORS
Snyder Dermatology is the premier practice for medical and cosmetic dermatology in Austin, TX. Centrally located, our dynamic team of board certified dermatologists focus on providing patients with the most advanced medical care and treatment options. Our practice is distinguished by our compassion, our desire to fully understand our patients’ needs, and our commitment to being good stewards in the communities where we live and work.
Treating Eczema at Snyder Dermatology
There’s no cure for eczema, but with the right treatment and the right daily habits, most patients get it under real control. Depending on how severe things are, that might mean a daily moisturizer and a topical steroid for active flares, a calcineurin inhibitor for more sensitive areas, antihistamines to take the edge off the itch, or, for the toughest cases, a systemic medication such as a biologic. A lot of what we cover at your visit isn’t what to do during a flare, it’s what to do every day so the next flare shows up less often: gentle cleansing, moisturizing while your skin is still damp, and skipping fragrance wherever you can.
If redness and sensitivity are the main issue but this doesn’t quite sound like what you’re dealing with, it’s worth reading about rosacea too. The two get mixed up more often than people expect.
Schedule a Consultation
Cracked skin, itching that won’t quit, patches that keep coming back in the same spots: we can help. Schedule a consultation and we’ll build a plan around your skin and your triggers, not a generic routine. Call us at (512) 533-9900. We see patients from Austin, Downtown Austin, and West Lake Hills.