Anyone who suffers from troubles with their skin will most likely tell you that it can affect their self-confidence in so many ways. Is this describing you? If so, get some excellent tips regarding how to handle eczema by reading this article.

When you have eczema, you should take caution to clean the skin gently. Once you have washed your skin, and it is still moist, apply a good moisturizer to the skin within three minutes to ensure the moisture is sealed into the skin. You may even want to soak in a nice oatmeal bath as well before you moisturize.

If you have been prescribed medicine for your eczema, take it as directed. When all else fails, your doctor may be able to help ease your symptoms by prescribing you something a little stronger than what you can get over the counter. While no one really wants to rely on medication, sometimes it is necessary.

There are several medications you can try to help relieve the itching of eczema. Topical treatments including calamine lotion, which helps soothe the itching. Another topical option is an over-the-counter cream that contains one percent hydrocortisone. For severe itching, consider an oral over-the-counter antihistamine, such as Benadryl. Follow the instructions on the package, and remember that antihistamines may cause drowsiness.

Those who have eczema should not use a washcloth or body sponge when they are taking a bath or a shower. If you wash your body with such rough-surfaced items, the friction will irritate your skin. Skin irritation can lead to a flare-up of your eczema. To clean your body, simply use your hands to lather up.

Control your indoor temperature. Eczema tends to flare up during shifts in temps or humidity. Use your air conditioner to stay cool in the warmer months. A humidifier can help you keep your skin from drying out during colder weather. Staying comfortable temp wise will help reduce the frequency of flare ups.

Try to be aware of anything that triggers your eczema. Flare ups of eczema can be particularly unpleasant. It is important to know what makes your eczema worse. Do scented soaps or lotions aggravate your skin? Make note of anything that causes your eczema to flare up, and make a point to avoid it.

Avoid becoming overheated. Excess sweat can trigger eczema flare-ups. If you do work out, take a shower afterwards. In fact, shower after any bout of strenuous activity, which could include things like gardening or heavy housework. Keeping your skin clean will help to keep you comfortable and your eczema flare-ups at bay.

Do not scratch your eczema. It is hard to resist because eczema is an itchy skin condition, but scratching makes it worse. You can increase the itching, damage your skin, and increase your risk of getting an infection. Try keeping the skin moisturized, bathing regularly, and using cold compresses to alleviate itching.

One effective skin care regimen which will reduce flare-ups and improve response to medication and treatment is proper application of moisturizers. Moisturizers trap moisture in the skin, so applying moisturizers no later than 3 minutes after bathing is highly effective. Of course, it is still important to continue to apply a moisturizer to very dry patches of skin throughout the day.

If you live in an area that experiences cold weather in the winter, buy a humidifier to help decrease eczema flare-ups. During the cold winter months, we close all of our windows and turn on the furnace. This can make the air inside of a house very dry which makes the itching and dry skin associated with eczema even worse. To replace moisture in your internal environment, use a humidifier. This added moisture will keep your skin from becoming dry, cracked, itchy and irritated.

Don’t take overly hot showers. Hot showers can irritate the skin. Limit your hot showers if you have eczema. Instead, take showers with the water set at room temperature. Use a gentle cleaner and then apply moisturizer.

Eczema can be triggered by exposure to hot water. Hot water irritates the skin and can make the symptoms of eczema worsen and lead to dry and cracked skin. Instead of taking hot showers or baths use luke warm water when you bathe. This will clean your skin just as well as hot water but is far gentler on the skin and can prevent eczema flair ups. So, switch to warm water bathing and don’t forget to apply moisturizer immediately following your bath.

Always preform a patch test. When you are trying a new product, it is important to know whether or not it will irritate your skin before putting it all over yourself. Take a small amount of the product and apply it to a small portion of your skin. After a few hours, you should be able to determine whether or not it triggers your eczema.

You now have some helpful information you can use to start your fight against eczema. If one suggestions doesn’t seem to fit your situation, then try another one. A solution is out there waiting for you. Try out these tips to help you heal yourself.

Eczema Information You Need To Know About was originally published on Spring