DMV Allergy & Asthma Center – Allergist Washington DC, Frederick & Alexandria
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Treatment in Alexandria, VA, Washington DC & Frederick, MD
4.9/5 from 2,000+ patient reviews
What is Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)?
Common Symptoms of Eczema
Eczema symptoms vary by age and severity and tend to flare and subside over time.
- Intense itching, often worse at night
- Dry, sensitive, or raw skin
- Red, inflamed, or swollen patches
- Scaly, cracked, or leathery skin
- Small, fluid-filled blisters that may ooze or crust
- Thickened skin from repeated scratching
- Discoloration or darkening of the affected skin
Common Eczema Triggers
Identifying your personal triggers is the critical first step toward managing flares. Common eczema triggers include:
- Airborne allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mold, and pet dander, identified through allergy skin testing
- Soaps, detergents, fragrances, and household cleaning products
- Certain fabrics, especially wool, synthetic materials, and rough textures
- Sweat, heat, and humidity changes
- Food allergens, particularly in infants and young children
- Stress and emotional changes
- Dry skin and cold weather
When Should You See an Eczema Specialist?
Eczema is highly manageable, but only with the right diagnosis and plan. See our specialists if:
Your eczema is frequent, worsening, or affecting your sleep, work, or daily routine
Over-the-counter moisturizers and creams are no longer keeping your symptoms under control
You suspect food, environmental, or contact allergens may be triggering your flares and want formal allergy testing
Your child has persistent eczema, and you want a specialist to evaluate for underlying allergies and guide a long-term management plan
How We Treat Eczema
At DMV Allergy & Asthma Center, every eczema treatment plan is built around your specific triggers, skin type, age, and severity — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Comprehensive Evaluation
An in-depth review of your eczema history, flare pattern, potential triggers, and any co-existing conditions such as asthma or allergic rhinitis, combined with allergy testing when allergen triggers are suspected.
Personalized Eczema Treatment Plans
A targeted plan combining topical therapies, trigger avoidance strategies, and appropriate medications, built by our allergy specialists to reduce flares and restore skin health.
Long-Term Follow-Up Care
Regular monitoring at our Alexandria, VA, K Street, DC, Foxhall, DC, and Frederick, MD offices to adjust treatment as your symptoms evolve and prevent flares before they start.
All Ages Welcome
From infants with early-onset eczema to adults with chronic atopic dermatitis, our specialists provide age-appropriate care at every stage of life.
Eczema Testing & Diagnosis
Allergy Skin Prick Testing
Identifies environmental allergens, pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, that may be driving or worsening your eczema flares. Delivers accurate, actionable results in approximately 20 minutes, in-office at all locations.
Blood Testing & Allergen Panel
Measures allergen-specific IgE levels and total IgE to evaluate the immune-driven component of atopic dermatitis — especially useful in young children or when skin testing is not suitable.
Patch Testing Referral
For patients with suspected contact dermatitis or irritant-driven eczema, we coordinate patch testing referrals to identify specific contact allergens contributing to skin reactions.
Eczema Testing & Diagnosis
Quick, accurate results in about 20 minutes
Eczema Treatment Options
We treat all types and severities of atopic dermatitis, from mild childhood eczema to severe adult disease, with evidence-based therapies tailored to each patient.
Topical Therapies
Prescription topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and newer non-steroidal topical agents prescribed and monitored by our specialists to reduce inflammation, relieve itching, and restore the skin barrier.
Allergy Immunotherapy
When environmental allergens are identified as triggers for eczema flares, allergy shots can gradually reduce the immune system's sensitivity, decreasing flare frequency and severity over time.
Biologic Therapy
For moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis that does not respond adequately to topical treatments, biologic medications target specific immune pathways that drive skin inflammation, providing significant, sustained improvement in many patients.
Trigger Avoidance & Skincare Education
Personalized guidance on identifying and avoiding your specific eczema triggers, alongside practical skincare routines, moisturizer selection, bathing technique, and fabric and product choices, to protect the skin barrier daily.
Why Choose DMV Allergy & Asthma Center?
4 convenient locations — Alexandria, VA, K Street, DC, Foxhall, DC, Frederick, MD
Board-certified allergy and immunology specialists with 20+ years of clinical experience
All eczema types treated — mild, moderate, severe, pediatric, and adult atopic dermatitis
Trusted by 15,000+ patients across the DMV region, including Fairfax, Falls Church, Arlington, and beyond
Patient Satisfaction
98%
of patients recommend us
Real Results from Real Patients
J'adore le cabinet situé sur K Street ! Quelques mois après mon arrivée à Washington, j'ai développé de graves allergies. Le Dr Fishman et son équipe m'ont rapidement soulagée. Le personnel est incroyablement sympathique et arrangeant (ce qui est très appréciable vu la nature de mon travail). N'hésitez pas à venir ici pour tous vos problèmes d'allergies !
Le personnel est formidable. L'infirmière praticienne Casey est extrêmement compétente et rassurante, et mon infirmier Nick m'a beaucoup aidé. Le personnel de l'accueil était chaleureux et l'enregistrement s'est fait facilement.
Expérience formidable. Je recommande vivement. Une femme m'a particulièrement séduit. De loin la plus belle femme que j'aie jamais vue. 5 étoiles.
J'adore le cabinet situé sur K Street ! Quelques mois après mon arrivée à Washington, j'ai développé de graves allergies. Le Dr Fishman et son équipe m'ont rapidement soulagée. Le personnel est incroyablement sympathique et arrangeant (ce qui est très appréciable vu la nature de mon travail). N'hésitez pas à venir ici pour tous vos problèmes d'allergies !
Take Control of Your Eczema Today
Frequently Asked Questions About Eczema
We offer comprehensive eczema and atopic dermatitis treatment for patients of all ages across the DMV region.
What is the difference between eczema and atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is the most common and well-known form of eczema, the two terms are often used interchangeably. “Eczema” is a broader umbrella term covering several types of inflammatory skin conditions including contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, and nummular eczema. Our specialists evaluate and treat all forms, starting with an accurate diagnosis to ensure the right treatment is applied.
Is eczema related to allergies or asthma?
Yes, strongly. Eczema, allergic rhinitis, and asthma form the atopic triad, and many patients have more than one condition simultaneously. Eczema is driven by an overactive immune response, the same mechanism that underlies allergic disease. Addressing the allergic component through proper testing and treatment often improves eczema control, which is exactly why an allergy specialist is the right provider for eczema management.
Can eczema be cured, or only managed?
There is no cure for eczema, but it can be very effectively managed, to the point where many patients achieve extended periods with minimal or no symptoms. With the right combination of trigger avoidance, skin barrier care, topical therapies, and biologic treatment for severe cases, most patients see significant improvement in both flare frequency and severity. Some children do improve naturally with age, though this is not guaranteed.
What triggers eczema flares and how do I identify mine?
Common triggers include dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold, soaps, detergents, fragrances, certain fabrics, sweat, stress, and dry weather. Triggers vary significantly between patients, which is why formal allergy skin testing is so valuable. We use skin prick testing and blood panels to identify your specific allergic triggers and pair those findings with your symptom history to build a complete, accurate trigger profile.
What is biologic therapy for eczema and who is a candidate?
Biologic medications target specific immune pathways driving atopic dermatitis inflammation rather than suppressing the entire immune system. They are recommended for moderate-to-severe eczema that has not responded adequately to topical treatments, and have shown excellent results in providing sustained skin clearance and itch relief. Our specialists can evaluate whether biologic therapy is right for your case and manage your treatment from start to follow-up.
Do you treat eczema in children and infants?
Yes, eczema most commonly begins in infancy or early childhood. In young children, it is frequently linked to food allergies and environmental sensitization, and identifying these triggers early can significantly improve long-term outcomes. Our allergy specialists provide age-appropriate eczema evaluation and treatment for infants through teens, including allergy testing, personalized skincare guidance, and coordination with your pediatrician.