Eczema can be a miserable condition to deal with. because it is a chronic condition it is never truly cured. It may be dormant for a while but the slightest thing can bring it back with a vengeance. So knowing how to deal with it is essential to living with it. Keep reading to find out new ways to deal with it.
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.
Pay attention to your hands. Because you wash them throughout the day, they can get very dry and are prone to more eczema. If you are engaged in an activity that involves water, like washing the dishes, wear rubber gloves. This will help protect your skin from the water throughout the day.
Moisturize whenever you are able to. In terms of managing eczema, moisturizers can be terrific allies. Apply your moisturizer when you exit the shower or bath. Be sure your moisturizer doesn’t have an chemicals or additives. Things like this can be very irritating to your skin. Creams or ointments that are thick will work best.
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.
Discuss medications with your doctor. If an over-the-counter medication doesn’t do the trick, a prescription one might. Use store-bought and prescription medication as directed. Straying from the instructions could cause more harm than good. At the very least, it will be ineffective, resulting in a waste of both effort and money.
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.
Moisturize your skin at all times if you have eczema. Moisturized skin stays flexible, soft, and won’t crack as much. Use petroleum jelly or an unscented moisturizers that contain a minimal number of ingredients. You may find that the ingredients used in moisturizers are making your eczema worse.
Consider getting rid of your carpets and throw rugs throughout your house. Carpet and rugs are known for harboring dust mites, allergens and other microscopic irritants which can cause an eczema flair-up. So consider hardwood floors or a low pile carpet if you absolutely must have carpet in your house.
Avoid soaps. Soap is a very alkaline substance that is not suitable for sensitive skin. If you do not feel like water gets you clean enough, try a cleanser with a neutral pH balance. Soaps with added fragrance are even worse for your skin when you suffer from eczema.
If you suffer from eczema, take a bleach bath! This may sound like a ridiculous idea, but this can help prevent major problems. Having eczema increases your chances of developing a bacterial infection and bleach can kill this bacteria. To use this remedy, simply add a half cup of bleach to your bath twice a week in lukewarm water. Sit in it for about five minutes and then shower as usual.
When you buy new sheets, always wash them first. They may seem clean and fresh but they are likely stiff with starch or other chemicals that can be irritating to your skin. So give them a wash with a gentle detergent and use an unscented softener to reduce the risk of irritation to your skin.
Only wear soft, comfortable, natural materials. Don’t wear clothes that are scratchy, itchy or irritating in any way. Organic cotton is an excellent choice in clothing materials for people with eczema. Always be sure to wash your new clothing items before you wear them. This will remove preservatives and any other chemicals that might be on the cloth.
As you can see, there are a lot of things that you can do to win the battle with eczema. Some are quite simple and some require a minor change in your life. But when you combine them, you greatly increase your chances of successfully battling eczema. So keep these tips in mind and start dealing with your eczema today.
Learn All About Skin Care For Eczema was originally published on Spring