Has eczema had a serious impact on you or someone you know? Perhaps you just need some key advice on how to handle it. Thankfully, this article will help anyone with eczema deal with the condition in a better way.
If you want immediate eczema relief look to moisturizing creams or even an ointment. These are better than lotions. Vaseline works wonders, too. No matter what you use, it should be free of alcohol and fragrance. Moisturize in the morning and evening if possible.
When you are thinking about eczema, you may not consider what kind of clothes to wear. But this is an important aspect to consider when it comes to comfort. Wear cotton clothing that fits you loosely. Stay away from materials like wool. Also, wash your clothes at all times to reduce the bacteria that can get on your skin.
Reduce your stress levels as much as you can. Stress tends to make eczema flare up. Use meditation or yoga as a stress reduction technique and it may help reduce your eczema. It may just be that you can greatly reduce the effects of your eczema flares.
You do not want to scratch your skin. Eczema can be very itchy and uncomfortable. The more scratching you do, the more needs to be scratched, though. You could open yourself up to infection by doing so. Apply moisturizer often and use cold compresses to help find relief.
Eczema typically causes a dry itchy skin. That’s why it’s vital you apply moisturizers to combat the dryness and itchiness. Bear in mind though, moisturizers are not what hydrates the skin. They actually lock in the moisture underneath the skin. This will reduce the amount of dryness that you have.
Patients who regularly suffer from eczema flare-ups are better off avoiding stressful situations. Stress is often responsible for eczema symptoms. If you are having difficulty dealing with stress, try working out or deep breathing techniques. You may be able to make your flare up not even occur.
You nails should always be trimmed and clean. While you may have the scratching under control, are you sure about what you do when sleeping? Short nails will reduce the irritation that you experience. Also make sure your nails are always clean underneath.
Never hesitate to moisturize. Moisturizers can control eczema effectively. Always moisturize after you get out of the tub or shower. Also, avoid moisturizers that contain fragrance and other chemicals that can irritate the skin. Such elements can add to your skin’s irritation. Stick with creams and ointments at all times.
Use ointments for moisturizing. This will be better for the surface of your skin. Neither lotions or creams can do this. For this reason, ointments are significantly better for areas where skin has cracked open due to eczema.
You don’t want to put on clothing that can be irritating to your skin. Certain fabrics, particularly synthetics, cause eczema to flare. Cotton is always a good choice. Anytime you purchase new clothing, be sure it is thoroughly washed and rinsed before you don it. Use a mild, unscented liquid detergent with no fabric softener to do this.
A warm bath can help you relieve your eczema itching. Don’t make the water too cold or too hot. Try sprinkling baking soda or colloidal oatmeal in your bath to help soothe your skin. You can also add a small amount of bleach to kill bacteria attached to your skin.
When suffering from the skin condition eczema, you must moisturize your skin regularly. You will find this most effective in reducing flare-ups. Particularly when you get out of the shower, put on a little moisturizer. Avoid using products with fragrances and chemicalsl instead go with ones that are unscented.
You could use modern technology to text yourself reminders to treat your skin. This type of eczema is one of the most frequently diagnosed forms. Research done by Harvard Medical School shows that text messages produced great success in patient that were 14 or older. Not only did it help these patients stick to their treatment plan, at the end of 6 weeks they also had less eczema. Most patients wished to get these messages sent to them for a long time.
An eczema sufferer should set the temperature in the house at a level they always feel comfortable. Varying temperatures outside of normal ranges can actually cause your eczema symptoms to worsen. Use your humidifier when it is cold outside and your air conditioner when it’s hot. The humidifier will help prevent your skin from becoming too dry.
Moisturize your skin when it is damp. Your skin takes this time to get as much moisture in it as it can. Begin by using a towel to gently blot the skin which locks in moisture along with natural oils. Next, you then begin to apply moisturizer to your skin. If this is done within the first few minutes after a bath, it will keep your skin silky and hydrated.
Look for a moisturizer in an ointment form. They help to seal in moisture and provide a protective layer. Lotions and creams don’t do this. Ointments can really improve the surface of your skin.
Don’t take overly hot showers. Hot showers might feel wonderful, but they can actually irritate your skin. If you struggle with eczema, limit how many hot showers that you take. Take showers with room temperature water. Use a gentle cleaner and then apply moisturizer.
Excessive sweat kept on the body can cause eczema flare ups. Getting overheated can also aggravate the symptoms of eczema. Cool yourself off as much as possible if you’re an active person. Take a shower right away after a workout.
Keep your skin moisturized to prevent eczema. Skin that is moisturized remains soft and flexible and is less likely to crack. If you don’t have any unscented moisturizers, then petroleum jelly is a great substitute. Chemicals and fragrances that are used in certain moisturizers can aggravate eczema instead of preventing or soothing it.
Hot Showers
No one knows exactly what causes eczema or how to permanently get rid of it. Still, you can reduce your symptoms and flare-ups. Have you heard the term “dishpan hands”? This is hand eczema which causes the skin on a person’s hand to become dry and cracked. You need to wear some rubber gloves if you are washing dishes. If you have a latex sensitivity, then combat that by wearing thin cotton gloves underneath the latex ones to keep the skin protected. Clean and dry hands when you are done with the dishes, then use lotion.
Don’t take overly hot showers. Too much heat on your skin will cause dryness. If you suffer from eczema, limit how many hot showers you decide to partake in. Instead, your showers should be taken in water that is room temperature. Gently cleanse your skin, and then apply a good moisturizer after.
Add gloves to your everyday wardrobe. This will form a protective barrier for your hands. When washing dishes, wear a pair of rubber gloves so your skin does not become irritated. Wear leather or cotton gloves in the cold and cotton gloves when you are doing housework. Avoid harsh fabrics like wool. Wool has the potential to cause irritation.
Moisturizing the skin can keep your flares at bay. Moisturized skin stays flexible and soft and is harder to crack. Use unscented moisturizers with only a few ingredients listed or petroleum jelly is a fine option. It is possible for added scents and chemicals in some products to make eczema flare-ups worse.
Consider placing a humidifier inside your house to help control your eczema. Especially in the winter, dry air can dry skin out and it can actually cause eczema. Humidifiers will make the air more moisturized which makes it harder for eczema to develop.
If you’ve dealt with eczema symptoms in the past, you know how frustrating the condition is to manage. Maybe, with some research, you can better manage your eczema condition. This article has given you the tips you need, so put them to use!
If you deal with eczema, many times it can be caused by things you are allergic to. Household chemicals that are strong, or perfumed cleaning and laundry products can be the cause. Pay attention to when outbreaks occur and look for any possible signs of a pattern.