Eczema is a problematic skin condition that affects many people, but most do not understand different treatment methods. If you have been searching for ways to deal with this condition, or just want some good tips on how to manage it, then the following article is definitely for you. Continue on for a solid information that will help you effectively manage your eczema.
If you have been prescribed medicine for your eczema, take it as directed. When all else fails, your doctor may be able to help ease your symptoms by prescribing you something a little stronger than what you can get over the counter. While no one really wants to rely on medication, sometimes it is necessary.
Some researchers have linked eczema to a Vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, a little bit of sunlight may help your condition. Do not go overboard, however. Spend about ten minutes in the sun each day. If you are going to be out longer than that, apply sunscreen and go about your business.
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.
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.
Wear non-irritating clothing. Synthetic fabrics can lead to outbreaks. Cotton is the best choice as a result. Wash your clothes when you buy them new, too. You should do this with a mild, fragrance-free detergent. It would also be a good idea not to use fabric softener.
Keep your hands protected. Wear rubber gloves while washing dishes or performing another activity in which your hands are submersed in water. For further protection, wear cotton gloves underneath the rubber ones to reduce sweat and irritation. Use the cotton gloves while performing other activities, such as gardening and housework.
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.
One common misconception about proper skin care of those who have eczema is to keep bathing to a minimum because it dries out the skin. Actually, dermatologists recommend that those who have atopic dermatitis should take a short, daily shower or bath in tepid water to hydrate their skin. However, it’s important that the water is lukewarm and not hot.
Speak with your doctor about your eczema if changing your lifestyle isn’t enough. They may be able to help you find a medication that helps ease the symptoms. These medications can be over-the-counter antihistamines or creams. More serious cases may require a prescription medication. Make sure that whatever they suggest or give you is used as directed.
Be gentle when dealing with your eczema. This means only gently drying your skin and gently applying your moisturizer. Your skin is compromised and very sensitive. To keep your soft and supple, you need to treat it with a gentle touch. Avoid friction, scratching, and exfoliating. You should also avoid using harsh bathing items like loofah sponges and shower puffs.
Moisturized skin is less likely to suffer a flare up of eczema. Skin with moisture is flexible and soft, which makes it less likely to split or crack. Use unscented moisturizer or petroleum jelly, which contain limited ingredients. Moisturizers with fragrance can cause eczema to flare up.
Make sure the air is not too dry in your home, especially in the rooms you spend most of your time in. Dry air can cause break outs of eczema. If it is the heating season or you have particularly dry air in your home, you can fix that by putting a humidifier in those rooms.
Moisturize your skin immediately after taking a bath. Applying lotion to your skin soon after your bath helps to lock in the moisture and prevents your skin from drying too much. For the best results, use a intensive moisturizer that does not have added perfumes or dyes, which can dry your skin more.
Do you have a child that has eczema? Even though you have tried to keep you child from scratching areas of skin that are itching, it still happens. To minimize the amount of damage done when they succumb to the itch/scratch cycle, keep your child’s fingernails clipped short. To help prevent damaging scratching during sleep, cover their hands with soft, cotton gloves.
If you experience an occasional occurrence of eczema, the flare-up can be attributed to allergens. Try not to use household chemicals that are known to irritate the skin. You may notice a pattern of using one or more of these products triggers your eczema outbreaks.
Always wash your bedding, blankets and pillows on a regular basis. Don’t wait until they seem dirty. Do it at least once a week to keep you bed as free from allergens and irritants as possible. Use a gentle detergent and softener that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals or fragrances which can cause irritation to sensitive people.
Since the most bothersome symptom of eczema is dry and extremely itchy skin, most doctors recommend a lotion or cream to keep the skin moist. The skin of a person suffering from eczema can become infected if it is damaged due to scratching. Prescription creams containing hydrocortisone can be quite effective.
Taking care of eczema is a full-time job, but it doesn’t have to be so difficult if you have good tips to show you how to easily treat it. Thankfully the above article showed just how you can go about feeling better while managing your eczema. Keep these tips in mind as you try to effectively rid yourself of this terrible skin problem.
