Title: 
Help for That Bothersome Rash

Word Count:
456

Summary:
It is estimated that one in 10 people in the United States suffers from seasonal allergies.


Keywords:
Help for That Bothersome Rash


Article Body:
It is estimated that one in 10 people in the United States suffers from seasonal allergies.

With seasonal allergies come the coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, and sometimes even a rash, what your doctor may call eczema. When many people discover a rash, they may do nothing and hope that it will go away on its own. And most do. When a rash occurs that is itchy, unsightly and maybe even painful and just won't go away, it may be the time to visit a physician.

Having a rash can make you miserable. Troublesome itching can range from uncomfortable to unbearable, and in some cases, cause physical pain and psychological distress. Skin and scalp disorders that produce chronic rashes, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (eczema), are known to have a significant impact on self-esteem and emotional well-being.

"Rashes, like psoriasis and eczema, can be difficult to live with and hard to manage," says Linda Stein Gold, MD, Director of Dermatological Clinical Research for the Henry Ford Health System. "Topical corticosteroids may be effective in treating such conditions." 

Treatments have been typically lotions or creams that may be messy and inconvenient to use. Two treatments, Luxíq® (betamethasone valerate) Foam 0.12% and OLUX® (clobetasol propionate) Foam 0.05% are topical corticosteroids that work by reducing the inflammatory responses in the skin. They are available in a unique foam vehicle which is easy to apply and can cover large areas of the skin. 

"If you are suffering from a rash that would respond to a topical steroid, having an easy-to-use, fast-drying foam can make a difference. The foam absorbs quickly and leaves little residue, unlike heavy, sticky creams that can take a long time to dry and may leave stains on clothing or bedding" states Dr. Stein Gold.

Available by prescription only, Luxíq is a mid-potency topical corticosteroid indicated for dermatoses of the scalp while OLUX is a super-potent topical corticosteroid indicated for short-term topical treatment of moderate to severe dermatoses of the scalp, and for short-term topical treatment of mild to moderate plaque-type psoriasis of non-scalp regions.

If you suffer from a bothersome, persistent rash, consult with your dermatologist to see if these products might work for you. 

Treatment with OLUX beyond two consecutive weeks is not recommended and the total dosage should not exceed 50 g per week because of the potential for the drug to suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. OLUX is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age. 

In clinical trials, the most common adverse events associated with the use of OLUX were burning, dryness and other reactions applicable at the application site. For Luxíq in clinical trials, the most common adverse events were mild, transient burning, stinging or itching at the application site.


