The reddened, itchy skin of eczema can be very uncomfortable, especially for babies and small children who do not understand what is going on. Even adults can suffer from eczema, though it less common as you get older. For more information on this skin condition, keep reading the following article.
You do not want to scratch your skin. There is no doubt that eczema makes you feel uncomfortable. However, the more you scratch, the more you will have to scratch. Scratching can also cause serious damage to the skin or even lead to an infection. Make sure you utilize cold compresses and moisturizer to relieve the symptoms as necessary.
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.
Do not turn the water up too high when in the shower or the bath. It can cause problems for your eczema. In addition, be gentle when washing your skin. Do not rub the skin too hard, and avoid soap. Instead, use a cleanser that is safer for your body.
There are several medications you can try to help relieve the itching of eczema. Topical treatments including calamine lotion, which helps soothe the itching. Another topical option is an over-the-counter cream that contains one percent hydrocortisone. For severe itching, consider an oral over-the-counter antihistamine, such as Benadryl. Follow the instructions on the package, and remember that antihistamines may cause drowsiness.
Avoid stress. Stress can increase the intensity of eczema flare-ups. While it is true that eczema itself can stress you out, try not to let it. Practice relaxation methods like yoga, medication, and deep breathing exercises. Staying calm is your best defense when it comes to successfully battling your eczema.
Do not scratch your eczema. It is hard to resist because eczema is an itchy skin condition, but scratching makes it worse. You can increase the itching, damage your skin, and increase your risk of getting an infection. Try keeping the skin moisturized, bathing regularly, and using cold compresses to alleviate itching.
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.
Try to avoid taking hot baths and showers. The extreme temperatures of the water can actually cause eczema flare-ups. The humidity and steam can also dry your skin out, which can make eczema uncomfortable. Try using water that is room temperature any time you shower or take a bath.
Keep the skin moisturized to help prevent outbreaks. Moisturized skin is flexible and soft, which can help prevent the skin from cracking. Use unscented moisturizers or petroleum jelly that doesn’t contain many ingredients. There are chemicals and certain fragrances that can aggravate your skin instead of soothing it.
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.
Because eczema can be caused or aggravated by certain materials, choose your clothing with care. Clothes made of wool or synthetic materials may inflame your skin. Choose clothing made of natural fibers, such as cotton. This is less likely to irritate your skin, and natural fibers allow your skin to breathe, making it less likely that you become overheated. Since heat and sweating can also aggravate eczema, choosing the right fabrics for your clothes is doubly important.
No one knows exactly what causes eczema or how to permanently get rid of it. Still, you can reduce your symptoms and flare-ups. Dishpan hands is eczema on the hands that causes skin to be dry and cracked. Try to use gloves when you are doing the dishes. If you have a latex sensitivity, use thin cotton gloves underneath. After the dishes are washed, gently clean your hands, pat dry, and add moisturizer.
If you suffer from eczema, try not to sweat too much. Of course, certain sweating cannot be avoided. But, it is important to try to keep the skin cool. If you do sweat, say from a workout or a jog, be sure to take a shower as soon as you are done.
Taking care of your mattress is important too. Your mattress will accumulate dead skin cells, dust, dust mites and other irritating particles. This is why you need to vacuum your mattress on a regular basis to keep those irritants to a minimum. After all, one third of your life is spent in your bed so it need to be a safe zone.
When drying off after a relaxing bath, always use a soft towel rather than one that is scratchy. You may want to but special towels for yourself and wash them with a gentle detergent and softener that doesn’t have harsh chemicals in it. Laundry products for baby’s sensitive skin are a good choice.
Avoid having tags or seams in your clothing. These can irritate and scratch the skin, which causes eczema to flare-up worse. Cut the tags off of any clothing or just buy clothes that don’t have any tags. Avoid clothing with thick seams that could be uncomfortable if worn for extended periods of time. Wear undergarments inside out if they have seams.
Now that you have finished reading this article, you should be much better informed about eczema. It can be a very unpleasant condition, so you need to find a way to treat it and prevent it from flaring up again. The tips that you have read here should point you in the right direction.
