Eucrisa Ointment contains the active ingredient crisaborole. It is a prescription topical medication used to treat mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (eczema) in patients 3 months of age and older.
Eucrisa is applied directly to the affected areas of skin. It helps reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms such as itching, redness, dryness, and irritation.
What is Atopic Dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that causes the skin to become dry, itchy, inflamed, and irritated.
The symptoms can come and go. Some people may have periods when the skin improves, followed by flare-ups when symptoms become more noticeable.
Common areas affected by eczema include the face, hands, arms, legs, and skin folds, although it can appear anywhere on the body.
Why Eczema Causes Itching and Inflammation
Atopic dermatitis is linked to a combination of skin barrier problems and an overactive immune response.
When the skin barrier is weakened, moisture escapes more easily and irritants can enter the skin. This can lead to dryness, itching, redness, and inflammation.
Scratching can further damage the skin barrier, which may make symptoms worse.
How Eucrisa Works
Eucrisa belongs to a class of medications called phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitors.
PDE-4 is an enzyme involved in the inflammatory process. In people with eczema, inflammatory signals in the skin can contribute to redness, itching, and irritation.
Crisaborole blocks PDE-4, which helps reduce these inflammatory signals.
How Eucrisa Helps Reduce Inflammation
By decreasing PDE-4 activity, Eucrisa helps lower the production of certain substances involved in inflammation.
As inflammation decreases, the affected skin may become less red, less irritated, and less itchy.
This can also make it easier for the skin to heal and recover from an eczema flare.
How Eucrisa Helps With Itching
Itching is one of the most common and uncomfortable symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
By reducing inflammation in the skin, Eucrisa may help decrease the urge to scratch. Less scratching can help prevent further irritation and damage to the skin.
What Symptoms Eucrisa May Improve
With regular use, Eucrisa may help improve symptoms such as itching, redness, dryness, irritation, and inflamed patches of skin.
The amount of improvement can vary from person to person, and some people may notice benefits sooner than others.
Eucrisa is Not a Steroid
Eucrisa is not a topical corticosteroid.
Instead, it works by blocking the PDE-4 enzyme involved in inflammation. This gives healthcare providers another treatment option for mild to moderate eczema, including situations where a non-steroid topical medication may be preferred.
Who Can Use Eucrisa?
Eucrisa is approved for use in adults and children 3 months of age and older with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.
A healthcare provider can determine whether Eucrisa is appropriate based on the patient’s age, symptoms, skin condition, and previous treatments.
What to Expect During Treatment
Eucrisa works gradually. Some people may begin to notice improvement in itching or inflammation within the first several days, while others may need more time.
Use the ointment consistently and exactly as prescribed, even if improvement is not immediate.
What Eucrisa Does Not Do
Eucrisa helps control the symptoms of atopic dermatitis, but it does not permanently cure eczema.
Because eczema is a long-term condition, symptoms may return from time to time. Your healthcare provider may recommend continued skin care, moisturizers, and other measures along with Eucrisa to help manage flare-ups.
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