5 Smart Questions to Ask Your Child’s Doctor About Eczema Treatment

This article is sponsored by Organon.

When you’re managing your child’s atopic dermatitis, or AD—the most common form of eczema, a chronic condition characterized by an intense and persistent itch¹ and dryness or redness of the skin—the mental checklist may seem endless: Did I remember to apply their cream today? Is it working? Will their persistent scratching calm down? Is this something we’re going to be dealing with forever? 

Me, personally? I’ve been there.

For many parents, especially those navigating work, school, and everything in between, eczema care may feel like another full-time job. 

Here’s the good news: With today’s telehealth options, you don’t have to wait weeks to be seen. In fact, a virtual visit with a healthcare provider may be one of the most efficient ways to reassess your child’s treatment plan. To help guide that conversation, we’ve compiled 5 key questions to consider asking during your next appointment, whether it’s in-person or online, along with expert-backed insights into why each question matters and alternative treatment options to consider.

1. “Why does eczema happen, and who is more at risk of developing eczema?”

Eczema can result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors—meaning a child may develop the condition even if their parents do not.¹

Eczema is common across all races and ethnicities, with some groups more likely to experience severe symptoms.² “9.6 million children have eczema in the United States,^{3 but Black children are twice as likely to be diagnosed as White children,” shared Dr. John Browning, Chief of Dermatology at Children’s Hospital of San Antonio and an Organon Health Partner.2 Talking to your child’s healthcare provider can help you understand what may be causing their eczema and create a treatment plan that works for your family.}

2. “My child is very active. I am looking for an option that might be a fit for my child. What treatments are available?”

You may already have a well-established skincare routine for your child with eczema—but finding time to add in treatment can still feel overwhelming, especially on busy mornings or before activities. That’s why it can be helpful to ask your child’s healthcare provider about prescription options that could be a fit for your child’s routine.

There are once-daily options you can explore with a healthcare provider. One prescription option that your doctor might mention is Organon’s VTAMA^® (tapinarof) cream, 1%, which is indicated for the topical treatment of mild, moderate, and severe eczema (atopic dermatitis) in adults and children 2 years of age and older. Across all ages and severities, VTAMA cream has one formulation. VTAMA cream can cause side effects, so it’s important to speak with a doctor about the appropriate treatment plan for your child. The most common side effects in people with eczema treated with VTAMA cream were upper and lower respiratory tract infections, red raised bumps around the hair pores (folliculitis), headache, asthma, vomiting, ear infection, pain in extremity, and stomach-area (abdominal) pain.

Not only is VTAMA applied just once a day, but it’s also non-steroidal, effective, and safe to use on affected skin areas, with a non-greasy formulation.^4.5 

And with telehealth appointments now widely available, you can easily bring it up with a provider and, if appropriate, get a prescription without rearranging your whole schedule. 

3. “Will my child need to use treatment every day?” 

It’s easy to feel discouraged at the thought of applying treatment every day. Dr. Browning knows this feeling all too well, given he has 2 children with eczema. However, he shares that there are options for parents looking for breaks from constant treatment.

“Finding the right treatment option that gives relief to patients’ eczema can be a frustrating journey. That’s why it’s important to explore your options. In clinical trials, VTAMA cream helped up to 46% of patients achieve clear or almost clear skin in just 8 weeks vs. 18% on cream with no active ingredient. ⁶ Results from an open-label, long-term extension study also showed that the patients who entered with or achieved clear skin on VTAMA cream went off treatment for about 2.5 months and were able to keep their skin clear or almost clear before restarting treatment,”⁷ Dr. Browning notes. 

4. “How do I know if my child’s eczema treatment is really working?”

Parents often wonder if what they’re doing is making a difference. Signs of progress may include fewer flare-ups, less scratching, and visible improvements in redness and dryness.¹ 

If you’re not seeing improvement after a few months of treatment, if symptoms seem to be getting worse, or if your child is experiencing any side effects, it’s a good idea to check in with your child’s doctor. They can help adjust your child’s treatment plan, whether that means changing medications, adding a new treatment, or recommending other strategies to help get symptoms under control.

5. “How can I find time to manage my child’s eczema with my busy schedule?”

Your time matters—and so does your child’s comfort. Turning to telehealth for medication questions, follow-ups, and treatment adjustments makes it convenient to connect with healthcare providers and discuss treatment options.

“For busy parents, coordinating and prepping for doctor’s appointments in between their children’s classes and extracurriculars can be time-consuming. With telehealth options, parents can connect with a provider without ever having to leave their home, allowing them to streamline their child’s care by communicating their top concerns and questions quickly,” shares Dr. Browning.

Whether you’re renewing a prescription, checking in about side effects, or simply needing reassurance, virtual visits can help you stay on top of eczema care. 

The bottom line?

Managing eczema doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right questions and the right tools, you can feel prepared to advocate for your child’s health.

Learn more about whether a steroid-free treatment like VTAMA^® (tapinarof) cream, 1%, could be appropriate for your child by scheduling a virtual appointment here.

Because when it comes to eczema, there is nothing more important than finding a treatment option that is right for your child.

INDICATIONS: VTAMA^® (tapinarof) cream, 1% is a prescription medicine used on the skin (topical) to treat:

• plaque psoriasis in adults
• eczema (atopic dermatitis) in adults and children 2 years of age and older

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 

VTAMA cream is for use on the skin (topical use) only. Do not use VTAMA cream in your eyes, mouth, or vagina.

Most Common Side Effects

In people treated for plaque psoriasis, the most common side effects included: red raised bumps around the hair pores (folliculitis), pain or swelling in the nose and throat (nasopharyngitis), skin rash or irritation (including itching and redness, peeling, burning, or stinging), headache, and flu. 

In people treated for atopic dermatitis, the most common side effects included: upper and lower respiratory tract infections, red raised bumps around the hair pores (folliculitis), headache, asthma, vomiting, ear infection, pain in extremity, and stomach-area (abdominal) pain. 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please read the Prescribing and Patient Information for VTAMA cream and discuss it with your doctor. 

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