As any dermatologist will surely tell you, eczema is one of those skin conditions that really does cause consternation among patients of all descriptions. The key to winning the battle against the exasperating symptoms it brings is to make sure you understand all there is to know about the condition. This article is here to help.
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 thinking of eczema, it probably doesn’t occur to you that your clothing can affect your condition. Wearing comfortable, soft clothes that won’t aggravate the skin is important. You should put on clothes that fit loosely and which are made from natural fibers like cotton. Try not to expose your skin to wool or other coarse materials. Also, wash your clothes at all times to reduce the bacteria that can get on your skin.
If you have allergies, being exposed to what you are allergic to may make your eczema worse. Eczema is not an allergy, but some common allergens that could trigger eczema are dairy products, eggs, wheat and tomatoes. Other things that could make your eczema flare up are pet dander, pollen, dust and mold.
Resist the urge to scratch. Scratching will only intensify that itchy feeling. It can also cause harm to your skin, including infection. Find other ways to relieve that itch. Use moisturizers, medications, cold compresses, and long soaks in the tub instead. These methods relieve your itch and make you feel better.
If you have eczema, rubbing your skin with a towel to get it dry may aggravate your eczema and lead to a flare-up. Rubbing produces friction which can irritate sensitive skin areas. It also removes your body’s naturals oils. When drying you body after bathing, use a towel to pat your skin until it’s partially dry. While your skin is still a bit damp, apply a moisturizer to lock in the bath’s moisture.
To reduce eczema flare-ups, there are some basic bathing rules you can follow. Use room temperature water in your tub or shower. Hot water can cause eczema flare-ups. Don’t scrub your skin. Use a gentle soap alternative instead of soap itself. Pat your skin dry, and liberally apply moisturizer when you are done bathing.
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.
If your baby has eczema, bathe him or her every day. This will help to keep the skin moisturized and free from infection. Besides hydrating your baby’s skin to help keep flare-ups at bay, baths can be fun for babies, and you can use them as an opportunity to further bond with yours.
Try installing a humidifier inside your home for treating eczema symptoms. Dry air can dry out skin, especially during the winter, and this can cause eczema. Humidifiers cause the air to stay moist, so the chances of your skin drying out and causing eczema are reduced.
Here is one deep treatment for the red, dry, itchy skin caused by eczema. When preparing for bed wash your hands with a mild soap, rinse with warm water and gently pat them dry. Slather on a thick layer of petroleum jelly all over your hands. Pull on some thin cotton gloves and hit the sack. The next morning your hands will be smoother and less itchy.
How you bathe is important if you suffer from eczema. For starters, stay away from hot showers or baths; this will just irritate your skin. Use water that is room temperature. Do not scrub your skin and stay away from scented soaps. When you are done showering, pat your skin dry.
Take a bath at least once a day. Showers are great for getting clean, but sitting in the tub is the best way to soothe and moisturize your skin. You do not need to limit yourself to one bath a day. If you find that it helps, take as many baths as you need to.
Buy a good humidifier and use it when the air is dry. You might use if year round in a dry, arid climate. If you live in a humid climate, you might only need to use it in the winter when your heater is on, pumping out dry, hot air which quickly dries out skin.
Anyone with any knowledge of or experience with eczema knows how problematic it can be. The good news is that given your new familiarity with the informative material presented in the above paragraphs, you are equipped to deal with it skillfully. Keep these tips as a useful reference, and you will always be ready to fight back against eczema.
Everything You Need To Know About Eczema was originally published on Spring