Does your skin tend to become red and itchy? Does nothing that you do seem to provide relief? If so, you may be suffering from the condition known as eczema. This irritating skin condition can be quite painful to deal with. For some tips on treating your eczema, keep reading.

Choose moisturizing creams and ointments to soothe your dry and itchy skin. These are more effective than lotions. A tub of petroleum jelly can also be extremely helpful. Make sure whatever you use is alcohol and fragrance free. Moisturize twice daily at a minimum.

Make your moisturizer your best friend. Every time you wash your hands or take a bath, apply the moisturizer. Do not get fancy. Anything that has a scent attached to it could exacerbate your condition. Also, look for a very thick product to get the best results for your skin.

When buying a detergent, look for something that is not scented. If you are having trouble finding one that works for you, look for products labeled “free and clear” and see if they work. In addition, it may be best not to use a fabric softener at all. This product can cause an issue for people with eczema, so it is usually not worth the risk.

Your body temperature could have an impact on your eczema. Being too hot could cause you to sweat, which makes the skin irritated and itchy. In the winter time, the humidity inside is quite low, which could cause the skin to dry out and become itchy. Keep these things in mind as to what could make your eczema flare up.

Don’t cut off all exposure to the sun. Your eczema could be a result of a Vitamin D deficiency, so blocking out the sun entirely is not a good idea. You should be getting at least 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight a day sans sunscreen. Don’t get any more than that though or you could burn.

Be wary of changes in temperature. A dramatic change in temperature can cause your eczema to flare up. Try to keep your home a temperature that will not aggravate your skin. Be sure to use air conditioning when it is particularly hot out. When it is cold, use a humidifier to keep your skin from drying out.

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.

Never scratch at itchy skin. Eczema can be quite itchy and unpleasant. It is important that you avoid the temptation to scratch. Scratching can cause your skin to only itch more. Worse, it could lead to infection. Find other ways to manage your itching. Try using medications or cold compresses.

Use a humidifier in your room. This can help increase the moisture in the air. A moist environment is better for eczema than a dry one. This can keep skin healthy through all seasons. Just make sure to clean it to cut down on further health problems.

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.

Most patients with eczema already know how important it is to moisturize their skin. But, what many do not know is the proper way to moisturize it. For starters, use a product that is unscented and contains no chemicals, as this can bother your skin. Also, be sure to moisturize frequently, especially after you shower.

Take care not to scratch. If you tend to scratch in your sleep, be sure the itchy areas are covered by gauze, bandages or pajamas. Trim your fingernails very short so that you will not be able to scratch much while sleeping. Use cold compresses and/or anti-itch treatments right before bed.

If you are one of the many people who suffer from eczema, you may have felt as if there was no relief from your condition. In fact, with the right course of treatment, you should be able to keep your eczema under control. Use the information that you have read here to find relief.

These Tips Can Help You Cope With Eczema was originally published on Spring