It’s important to have effective conversations with your doctor or healthcare provider to get the best results with prescription eczema creams. Clearly communicating your experiences, expectations, and needs can help you get better relief from eczema symptoms.

It’s not uncommon for people with eczema to express frustration about talking to their doctors. “I’m trying to get to the bottom of this skin condition, and it seems like I have to pull teeth with doctors to get any answers,” one MyEczemaTeam member said.

Another member wrote, “I feel I don’t get the full support of my dermatologist. Does anyone else feel this way? I get the repeated questions … ‘Are you doing this and that?’”

The good news is that there are steps you can take to help improve your communication with your doctor. This, in turn, can help improve your treatment outcomes and quality of life with eczema.

Learn About Your Options for Prescription Eczema Creams

There are five types of topical prescription eczema treatments approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of eczema. Being aware of your eczema treatment options can help you have a more informed discussion with your doctor about which options may be appropriate for you.

All topical medications have a risk of side effects. Ask your doctor about possible side effects, in addition to how to properly use the creams they prescribe.

Janus Kinase Inhibitors

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor creams work by blocking certain inflammatory pathways in the immune system. Two topical JAK inhibitors are approved for eczema-related conditions — ruxolitinib (Opzelura), approved for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, and delgocitinib (Anzupgo), approved for moderate to severe chronic hand eczema in adults whose conditions aren’t well controlled by topical corticosteroids or who can’t use them.

Calcineurin Inhibitors

These drugs also target the immune system and block specific cells that cause eczema inflammation in the skin. Tacrolimus ointment (Protopic) and pimecrolimus cream (Elidel) are topical calcineurin inhibitors that are available for both children and adults.

Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors block an inflammatory enzyme in the immune system. Crisaborole ointment (Eucrisa) is a topical PDE4 inhibitor available for the treatment of eczema. Another PDE4 inhibitor, roflumilast cream (Zoryve), was approved by the FDA in 2024 to treat mild to moderate eczema in people aged 6 years or older.

Corticosteroids

Topical corticosteroid medications decrease inflammation from skin conditions like eczema. Steroid creams, gels, foams, solutions, and ointments are available in different strengths. They’re usually only used for short periods of time since they can cause serious side effects.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Agonists

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists attach to certain parts of skin cells to reduce inflammation and activate helpful proteins to strengthen the skin barrier. Tapinarof (Vtama) is a cream that the FDA has approved for the treatment of eczema in people aged 2 and older.

New Treatments and Clinical Trials

Scientists continue to develop and test new treatments for conditions, including eczema. Ask your doctor about new treatment options that may become available in the near future.

Clinical trials — research studies performed on people to evaluate treatments, procedures, and interventions — can give you access to new topical treatments that may provide benefits other medications haven’t. You may want to talk to your doctor about clinical trials to find out what may be involved and if you might be eligible for one.

Be Honest and Open With Your Doctor

It’s important to talk to your doctor about key aspects of your experience with eczema, such as:

• How eczema symptoms and flare-ups affect your daily life
• The eczema treatments you use and the side effects you experience
• Whether you are satisfied with your current treatment plan

Communicating honestly and openly with your doctor will help ensure you’re getting the right eczema treatment for your needs and lifestyle.

Tell Your Doctor How Eczema Impacts Your Daily Life

Make sure your doctor understands how eczema affects you on a day-to-day basis, including aspects like your mental health and sleep habits. Don’t minimize your experience, and explain your symptoms carefully.

Tell your doctor if you’re having any side effects from a treatment or if your symptoms aren’t improving. Also tell them if you’re not using a medication as instructed. If you’re not happy with your prescription cream or have questions about other treatments, let your doctor know.

Get Your Doctor’s Approval Before Changing Your Treatment Plan

Don’t change a prescription treatment plan without medical advice. Abruptly stopping a treatment may increase your risk of side effects. Your doctor can advise you on how to use a prescription topical treatment in a way that may work better for you. For example, they may suggest tips like using moisturizers with certain prescription creams to reduce side effects like dry skin. If their suggestions don’t work, talk to them about possibly switching treatments. If you have severe eczema, you may need a different type of medication.

Prepare Carefully for Your Appointments

Appointments with healthcare providers can be stressful. Stress can be distracting and may cause forgetfulness. Preparing for your appointment ahead of time can help ensure that you cover all your questions and concerns in an organized and clear manner.

Here are some tips for preparing for a doctor’s visit:

• Make a list of your questions, and bring the list with you.
• Bring a list of any other prescription medications or over-the-counter topicals or lotions you’re using.
• Keep a journal of irritants and triggers, daily skin condition, and your eczema flares.
• Take pictures of your skin inflammation in case symptoms aren’t present when you see your doctor.
• Record your doctor’s visit (with their permission) or take notes. You can also bring a friend or family member to take notes for you.

One MyEczemaTeam member described their concerns ahead of an upcoming doctor’s visit. “Two reasonably good days in a row after having a major flare last week — wish I had a better sense of what triggers these flares. I can’t see my dermatologist until July, so I will go in primed with a list of questions to ask,” they said.

Request Additional Tests

You may also want to ask your doctor for additional tests. “Since I had the allergy tests, I now know what to stay away from. These tests were the most brilliant idea because before this, I had been using the cream version of the prescription triamcinolone. I had to switch to the ointment version because it did not contain propylene glycol,” wrote a member.

Here are some conversation starters to help you express your concerns directly with your doctor:

• “I would like to discuss my concerns about my prescription topicals. I’ve brought some notes.”
• “I have some symptoms that continue to be a problem for me. I brought some photographs I’d like to show you.”
• “I need help with my current treatment plan. I don’t like the side effects.”
• “I would like to talk about potential allergens.”

Get the Support You Need

You deserve a doctor who will listen to you. One MyEczemaTeam member said, “Let them know you want to talk to a doctor who will respect your wishes. That’s what I had to do for years!”

If you’re not getting the care you need, ask your primary care doctor for a referral to a specialist. In some cases, you may want to seek a second opinion or find a new doctor.

Another member shared this uplifting message: “There is hope. New treatments are emerging that are helping. There is no panacea for eczema, but reading from folks on this site is encouraging. Find a physician/care provider who listens and is proactive regarding your concerns. Don’t give up.”

Join the Conversation

On MyEczemaTeam, people share their experiences with eczema, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Do you have questions or tips about talking to your doctor about prescription eczema treatments?