Adult Eczema Treatment in California
MD-only online eczema evaluation for adults in California with guideline-based treatment for flares and maintenance care. $49 flat-fee video visit, no insurance required.
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition linked to a weakened skin barrier. It is not contagious. TeleDirectMD focuses on flare control, itch relief, and a maintenance plan that reduces recurrence.
- Flare care and step-down maintenance approach
- Topical anti-inflammatory options when appropriate
- Skin barrier repair and trigger reduction
- Adults only (18+)
What Is Eczema?
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin condition associated with a weakened skin barrier. The skin becomes dry and reactive, leading to itch, redness, scaling, and recurrent flares. Scratching worsens inflammation and can break the skin, increasing the risk of secondary bacterial infection.
In California, common triggers include dry indoor air, frequent handwashing, fragranced products, sweat and friction, and seasonal allergens. TeleDirectMD provides adult-only, MD-only online care focused on safe flare treatment and a realistic prevention plan.
Eczema Symptoms and Red Flags
TeleDirectMD evaluates distribution, chronicity, triggers, infection signs, and prior treatments. The goal is to control inflammation while protecting the skin barrier.
| Symptom or pattern | What it suggests | Telehealth appropriate? | Red flag requiring urgent in-person care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Itchy dry patches with redness and scaling | Typical eczema flare | Often yes | Severe pain, fever, rapidly spreading redness |
| Cracked skin on hands or flexural areas | Barrier breakdown, irritant exposure | Often yes | Deep fissures with pus or worsening swelling |
| Oozing, honey-colored crust, tenderness | Possible secondary bacterial infection | Sometimes | Rapid progression, fever, facial swelling |
| Widespread blistering or skin peeling | Severe dermatitis, drug reaction, or alternate diagnosis | Often no | Widespread blistering, mucosal involvement, eye involvement |
| Facial eczema with eyelid swelling or eye symptoms | Higher risk area, possible ocular involvement | Sometimes | Eye pain, vision changes, severe eyelid swelling |
| Ring-shaped rash with central clearing | Fungal infection more likely than eczema | Often yes | Rapidly spreading painful rash, fever |
Conditions That Can Mimic Eczema
Several skin conditions look similar. Your TeleDirectMD physician differentiates based on appearance, location, symptoms, and response to prior treatments.
Contact Dermatitis
Triggered by a product or exposure such as fragrance, metal, gloves, soaps, or workplace chemicals.
Psoriasis
Thicker plaques with sharper borders, often on elbows, knees, scalp, or nails.
Fungal Infection
Ring-shaped or sharply bordered rash, often worse with topical steroids alone.
Scabies
Intense itch, worse at night, often with household contacts itching and involvement of wrists, finger webs, or waistline.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Greasy scale on scalp, eyebrows, sides of nose, or chest.
Bacterial Skin Infection
Warmth, pain, pus, and expanding redness suggest infection rather than inflammatory eczema alone.
When Eczema Can Be Managed Through Telehealth
TeleDirectMD is best for adults with typical eczema flares who are stable and do not have severe infection signs or extensive blistering.
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate
- Adult 18+ with itchy dry patches, redness, or scaling consistent with eczema.
- Need a flare plan and a prevention plan that reduces recurrence.
- No fever, rapidly spreading redness, or severe pain.
- Able to share clear photos if requested.
- Physically located in California at the time of the visit.
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Rapidly spreading redness, warmth, swelling, pus drainage, or fever.
- Severe facial or eye swelling, eye pain, or vision changes.
- Widespread blistering, skin peeling, or mucosal involvement.
- Severe pain out of proportion to skin findings.
- Severe allergic reaction with hives, swelling, or trouble breathing.
How TeleDirectMD Treats Adult Eczema in California
Eczema care has two parts: treating flares and preventing recurrence. The foundation is skin barrier repair with moisturizer, plus short courses of anti-inflammatory topical therapy when appropriate.
Barrier Repair
- Fragrance-free thick moisturizer applied at least 2 times daily.
- Short lukewarm showers, gentle cleanser, avoid scrubbing.
- Moisturize within 3 minutes after bathing.
Flare Control
- Topical corticosteroids selected by location and severity.
- Non-steroid options for sensitive areas when appropriate.
- Itch control strategies to break the scratch cycle.
When In-Person Care Helps
- Severe, widespread, or recurrent flares despite adherence.
- Concern for infection, psoriasis, scabies, or fungal disease.
- Need for advanced therapies or patch testing.
Medication Table for Adult Eczema
These are common adult regimens used for eczema flares and maintenance. Your TeleDirectMD physician individualizes by location, severity, and medical history. TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances.
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrocortisone | 1% to 2.5% ointment, apply thin layer 2 times daily | 5 to 14 days | Mild eczema flares, sensitive areas such as face or skin folds when appropriate. |
| Triamcinolone | 0.1% ointment or cream, apply thin layer 2 times daily | 7 to 14 days | Moderate flares on trunk or extremities, avoid face and groin unless directed. |
| Fluocinonide | 0.05% ointment, apply thin layer 1 to 2 times daily | 7 to 14 days | Thicker plaques on hands or legs when stronger therapy is appropriate. |
| Tacrolimus | 0.03% to 0.1% ointment, apply 2 times daily | 2 to 6 weeks, then maintenance as directed | Sensitive areas or steroid-sparing option when appropriate. |
| Moisturizer | Fragrance-free cream or ointment, apply at least 2 times daily | Ongoing | Foundation of eczema prevention and symptom control. |
If infection is suspected, treatment may include topical or oral antibiotics based on severity and location, and in-person evaluation may be recommended for rapidly spreading cellulitis or systemic symptoms.
Home Care, Prevention, and Return to Work
Most eczema improves with consistent moisturization and short courses of targeted anti-inflammatory therapy during flares. Prevention reduces flare frequency and intensity.
Home Care Checklist
- Use fragrance-free detergent and skincare.
- Take short lukewarm showers, avoid hot water.
- Moisturize within 3 minutes after bathing.
- Avoid scratching, keep nails short, consider cotton gloves at night if hands are affected.
- Identify triggers such as certain soaps, gloves, sweat, friction, or stress.
When to Recheck
- No improvement after 7 to 14 days of appropriate flare therapy.
- Increasing redness, warmth, pus, or pain.
- Facial or eye involvement that is worsening.
- Frequent flares needing repeated steroid courses.
Most adults can work with eczema. If a flare involves open cracks or significant irritation from workplace exposures, TeleDirectMD can provide practical guidance and an optional brief work note when medically appropriate.
TeleDirectMD Adult Eczema Care: What to Expect
TeleDirectMD provides MD-only virtual urgent care for adults for $49 flat-fee video visits in 25+ states. Your physician reviews symptoms, distribution, triggers, infection signs, and medication safety. When appropriate, we prescribe evidence-based topical therapy, barrier repair guidance, and clear red-flag thresholds for urgent in-person care. No controlled substances are prescribed.