Eczema & Atopic Dermatitis Treatment in Ann Arbor, Plymouth & Wixom
Between running errands, working, and maintaining a social life, managing eczema flare-ups can feel like an unwelcome disruption. It’s frustrating to have to pause everything to address itchy, inflamed, and irritated skin. While atopic dermatitis—another term for eczema—may be a chronic condition, it is by no means an insurmountable one. At Ganger Dermatology, we offer targeted, effective treatments to manage flare-ups and help you get back to your routine with confidence.
We give you a plan for the flare and a plan for the stretch in between: barrier care every day, the right prescription when skin flares, and, for moderate-to-severe eczema, newer treatments that work on the immune response itself.
Eczema Education & Treatment
Eczema symptoms can start at an early age but may disappear later in life. However, for those still suffering from atopic dermatitis, managing eczema requires a two-fold approach. As a chronic skin condition without a known cure, eczema benefits from a diligent skincare routine combined with a treatment plan. We will recommend or combine leading-edge treatments, including prescription medication and biologics (monoclonal antibodies) for more severe cases. Afterward, we will guide you through an ideal at-home skincare routine to give you the best chance of achieving and maintaining clearer skin for longer periods.
Two things are going on at once in eczema: the skin’s barrier does not hold moisture or keep irritants out as well as it should, and the immune system in the skin overreacts. Scratching damages the barrier further, which provokes more inflammation and more itch, so breaking that itch-scratch cycle is a large part of what we treat. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that atopic dermatitis affects nearly 1 in 10 Americans of all ages, and up to 1 in 5 children under the age of 18.
Eczema and atopic dermatitis are two names for the same condition. Dermatitis on its own is a broader word meaning inflamed skin, and it also covers contact, seborrheic, and stasis dermatitis — different conditions with different causes, covered on our dermatitis page.
Benefits of Eczema Treatment
- Fewer flares
- Shorter flares
- Less itching
- Reduced irritation
- Faster healing
- Increased confidence
- Less aggravation
- A plan built around you
Eczema, psoriasis, or just dry skin?
These three account for most of the confusion, and we treat them quite differently.
Eczema
- Appearance: Less clearly defined edges, finer flaking, may weep or crust
- Itch: Intense itch is the dominant symptom
- Where: Elbow and knee creases, hands, neck, face, eyelids
Psoriasis
- Appearance: Well-defined, raised, thick plaques with white scale on top
- Itch: More often burning or stinging, though itch is possible
- Where: Outsides of elbows and knees, scalp, lower back, nails
Dry skin
- Appearance: Fine, even flaking without inflamed patches
- Itch: Mild, and it settles with moisturizer
- Where: Anywhere, worse in winter and after hot showers
Dry skin that does not improve with regular moisturizing is worth having us look at, because it is often eczema. More on telling the first two apart on our psoriasis page.
What triggers a flare
At the moment, there’s no general consensus on the primary cause of eczema, and everyone’s eczema is different. The triggers we see most often:
- Dry, cold air — which is why Michigan winters are a reliable flare season
- Hot showers and baths, and harsh soaps or detergents
- Wool and other rough fabrics, and tight or non-breathable clothing
- Sweat and heat
- Fragrance in skincare, laundry products, and cleaning products
- Stress
- Dust mites, pet dander, and pollen in some people
- Certain foods in some people, particularly children
Finding your own triggers is part of treatment, not a substitute for it, and it is usually done by watching what comes before a flare over several weeks. We can walk you through it.
Between flares
- Moisturize daily, and more than feels necessary — including on clear skin. This is prevention, not treatment.
- Apply moisturizer within a few minutes of showering, while skin is still damp.
- Shower warm, not hot, and keep it short.
- Switch to fragrance-free soap, laundry detergent, and skincare.
- Watch the fabrics against your skin.
- Do not stop treatment the moment skin clears — the maintenance phase is what keeps it clear.
Is eczema contagious?
No. Eczema cannot be passed to another person by touch, by sharing a towel, or by any other route. It is an inflammatory condition of your own skin and immune system, not an infection.
Skin that is broken from scratching can become infected, and that infection is a separate problem that can spread. Signs to act on: increasing pain, yellow crusting or pus, red streaking, or fever alongside a flare.
How we treat eczema at Ganger Dermatology
We layer treatment: we recommend or combine what fits your eczema, then guide you through an at-home routine that helps keep skin clearer for longer.
The daily moisturizer and washing routine. Unglamorous, and the foundation of every plan.
A JAK-inhibitor cream, ruxolitinib (Opzelura), is one we use often, along with tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, crisaborole, and roflumilast. Useful on the face and eyelids and for longer-term use.
, used correctly, to bring a flare under control.
Where broken skin has become infected.
For moderate-to-severe eczema that isn’t well controlled with medication applied to the skin, we prescribe biologics such as Dupixent, injections that target the part of the immune system that is overactive.
For some patients, a JAK inhibitor taken by mouth reduces the inflammation believed to cause atopic dermatitis.
The part that reduces how often you need the rest of it.
Individual results vary, and we adjust eczema treatment over time.
Eczema FAQs
At the moment, there’s no general consensus on the primary cause of eczema. What is consistent is the underlying picture: a skin barrier that does not hold moisture or keep irritants out as well as it should, combined with an immune system in the skin that overreacts. Eczema can also flare or react to certain components in soaps or certain kinds of weather (severe cold, dry air), and, in some people, to allergens. Ultimately, everyone’s eczema is different. To learn more about eczema, or to discover how Ganger Dermatology can help you, call us or find an office near you.
Treating eczema at home is a matter of trial and error. But with diligence and attention, you may be able to identify and understand triggers for flare-ups. If your socks or other tight-fitting garments seem related to eczema patches, consider changing your laundry detergent. Similarly, taking warm showers instead of hot ones may reduce symptoms or prevent outbreaks. At Ganger Dermatology, we can walk you through the process of at-home eczema care step-by-step so that you can better manage your symptoms.
Unfortunately, there’s no single known cure for atopic dermatitis, and no easy solution to eczema. That does not mean, however, that eczema symptoms can’t be successfully and consistently treated. Through a combination of education and medication, most people have more days without a flare and a better quality of life. Many children with eczema improve substantially as they get older; in adults it usually persists, but it can be kept quiet for long stretches.
JAK inhibitors reduce the inflammation believed to cause atopic dermatitis. The one we use most is a cream, ruxolitinib (Opzelura), applied to the skin; for some patients, a JAK inhibitor taken by mouth is an option. Biologics such as Dupixent are injections for moderate-to-severe eczema that target the overactive part of the immune system. Whether one of these suits you depends on how severe your eczema is, what has already been tried, and your wider health.
Eczema on the face is treated differently from eczema elsewhere on the body. The skin of the face, and of the eyelids in particular, is thinner and more easily irritated, so non-steroid prescription creams are one of the options we use most there: they suit longer-term use on the face and eyelids. A rash on the face is also not always eczema. Rosacea and other kinds of dermatitis can look similar and are treated differently, so we examine it before we recommend anything. Book a visit at whichever office is nearest you: Ann Arbor, Plymouth or Wixom.
Learn How to Manage Your Eczema
If you’re constantly covering up your skin or finding yourself canceling social plans, it’s time to take control—not only for your physical health but also for your mental well-being and overall quality of life. At Ganger Dermatology, we offer a comprehensive path forward. Our compassionate team will carefully review your symptoms and medical history to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. Don’t let eczema hold you back any longer. Reach out to our dermatologists in Ann Arbor, Plymouth, and Wixom, MI, and let us help you regain the confidence you deserve.
Come see us if:
- Over-the-counter treatment is not controlling it
- You are relying on steroid cream continuously
- Flares are keeping you awake
- The skin is broken, weeping, or infected
- Eczema is on your face or eyelids
- You would like to know whether a non-steroid cream, a biologic, or another advanced treatment is right for you
We see patients at our Ann Arbor, Plymouth, and Wixom offices, or call us at (734) 344-4567.
