Eczema is something a lot of people have to deal with, but they don’t know where to begin. This article contains a bit of knowledge about this subject. If you’re ready to learn, then all you have to do is follow along. You’ll be glad you did when you can take on your eczema once and for all.

The cold weather can damage your skin, particularly the skin on your hands. When you are outside in the winter, make sure you put on a pair of gloves. In particular, either cotton gloves or leather gloves will work the best. Stay away from wool gloves, as they may hurt more than they will help you.

Know what your triggers are so you can avoid them. Your triggers may laundry detergent, soaps, and dust. You should probably steer clear of any products that contain fragrances, chemicals or other unnatural additives. Choose pure and unscented products instead. This will help to reduce the discomfort of daily eczema flare-ups.

You should be moisturizing often. Moisturizers will keep your condition under control. Moisturize after your shower to help the skin absorb the moisturizer. You should only use moisturizer that’s free from fragrance or chemicals. These additives can further aggravate skin. Ointments and thick creams are most beneficial.

Wear non-irritating clothing. Synthetic fabrics can cause flare-ups. Cotton is the best choice in fabrics to wear. Wash your clothes when you buy them new, too. You want to use a detergent that is mild and with no scent, and be sure that no fabric softener is used.

Dust can cause issues. Rather than dry dusting, use a damp dust method instead. This will help capture the dust, rather than simply spreading it around the home. Also, because rugs and carpets are a beacon for dust, try not to have them in the house if at all possible.

Moisturize immediately following bathing. This is the best time to do it because your skin is still damp. Make sure to only pat dry your skin between showering and moisturizing. You don’t want to remove any moisture that your skin has already absorbed; that is counterproductive to treating your eczema.

Try to avoid over-bathing. Too much water irritates eczema. Spending more than 10 minutes in direct water stops moisturizing the skin. It actually dries it out. If you are unable to bathe within 5 to 10 minutes, try streamlining your bathing routine to make it as short and thorough as possible.

If you have any of the many types of eczema, you should keep your fingernails cut short. Although individuals try to refrain from scratching the patches of dry, itchy skin, sometimes scratching is done as a reflex without conscious though. With shortened nails, it’s less likely that the dry, delicate skin will be punctured when you scratch it.

Instead of scratching, try using ice to cool itchy areas. You can get an inexpensive gel compress and keep it in the freezer. Take it out and hold it over itchy areas whenever you need to. Keep a dry washcloth in your purse or pocket at all times. If you become very itchy away from home, soak the cloth in cold water. Hold it over the itchy area.

Avoid feather pillows and opt for a pillow that is less likely to attract and keep dust mites. Foam pillows may be a better choice for you and you can also invest in pillowcases that help keep dust, dust mites and allergens from getting into the pillow in the first place.

When you bathe or shower, be sure to avoid extremes. Water that is too hot or too cold will irritate your skin. Hot water tends to leach all the moisture out of skin and may make your symptoms worse. Set the heat of your water at a comfortable, soothing level to avoid drying out your skin.

Choose a gentle and mild body wash or soap for bathing. Many times, the fragrance contains chemicals that are irritating. So choose a soap that’s hypoallergenic or one made for babies.

Be cautious with your use of perfumes and fragrances. Fragrances can be one of the biggest triggers for allergy or eczema outbreaks. Many fragrances contain the same chemical so you may have to try a more natural fragrance such as essential oils if you want to have a nice smell without the chemicals.

Make sure your clothes aren’t tight on your body. Your skin can get irritated by tight clothes that rub against it. Then eczema is much more likely to occur. Choose only clothing that is not constrictive and will not run your skin. This prevents sweating from happening as well, which can also worsen symptoms.

After reading that article on eczema you just went over, you should have an idea of what you can do when you suffer from it. This is something a lot of people have to work on at some point in their lives. Get started today and you can see results soon!

Learn All About Eczema In This Article was originally published on Spring