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Suggest Treatment For Eczema On The Legs

Posted on Thu, 25 May 2017

Question: I am 66 years old, male in good general health. I have eczema in both legs but only in the lower portion just above the feet. My father also had it at the same place. I have it for last 20 years. I apply vaseline after shower. Also I apply Fluocinonide .05 percent on alternate days plus mupirocin ointment usp 2 % on alternate days.
I went to dermatologist for checkup. She took some liquid from my eczema and tested it. Now she says I have some Staph infection. It is not serious. It is secondary infection. Primary problem is eczema.
She wants me to stop Fluocinonide and only apply mupirocin twice a day. Wants me to take anti biotics for 10 to 15 days. Does this make sense. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Your dermatologist is right

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for being at HealthcareMagic
I have gone through your history and your dermatologist is correct in saying that you can stop steroid for few days and take antibiotics for few days.
It is very common to have secondary infection with eczema.
If the eczema is moderate to severe then you can even continue flucinonide under the cover of oral antibiotics but in case of mild eczema you can stop steroids for few days as they aggravate infection.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (10 hours later)

Thank you Dr Asmeet.
You have mentioned it is very common to have secondary infection with eczema. Is it necessary to take antibiotics because the infection will just return back. Also is there a antibiotic cream I can apply instead of oral antibiotics. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Oral antibiotics can be avoided if infection not very severe

Detailed Answer:
If the infection is not severe and you don't have much discharge from eczematous lesions or pain or swelling then oral antibiotics can be avoided.
You can apply topical antibiotic like mupirocin cream or fusidic cream on the affected areas.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (25 hours later)

Thanks Dr Asmeet. Following are the results from a test of liquid on my eczema:

Final     Few Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
GS     Gram Stain Result:
Few Gram Positive Cocci
No White Blood Cells
ORGANISM     MRSA

Please advise your thoughts on it --- is it mild, do I need oral antibiotics , if yes - which one for how long, can I just apply antibiotic cream - which one etc. I do not have any pain or swelling. Also not much discharge. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Usually oral antibiotics are recommended for MRSA

Detailed Answer:
For MRSA usually oral antibiotics are given like tablet linezolid 600 mg twice daily for 7 days along with application of topical antibiotic like mupirocin cream on the affected areas twice daily for 7-10 days.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T