When you have eczema, life can be unpredictable. One day you’ll have great skin, the next day there can be a flare up. This can take a long to rid. You will find a few great ideas about how to avoid a flareup and control the issues that are already present.
Make sure that you use creams when moisturizing your skin. These are much better solutions than using lotions. You could even soften your skin with petroleum jelly. No matter what choice you make, use something that is free of fragrance and also alcohol. You should be moisturizing no less than twice daily.
Avoid scratching your skin in areas that have eczema. This will only aid in making the skin itchier and will increase the inflammation. It could also cause infection. If you need to calm the itch, try applying a cooling gel or moisturizer. Make sure fingernails are clipped short, as well.
Find a sunscreen that is labeled PABA-free. This ingredient has been known to be a trigger for some people with eczema. Be sure to look at the ingredients, even when it says on the label that PABA is not used. Ultimately, when in doubt, ask your doctor for a prescription sunscreen product.
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.
Winter weather can cause eczema to worsen. Anytime your skin is exposed to frigid air, it needs a protective barrier to protect it from moisture loss. On any skin areas, such as the face or neck, be sure to heavily apply a moisturizer. Moisturizers will help you avoid dry and cracking skin because it locks in your skin’s natural oils.
Make sure you wear clothes that are comfy as possible. People that have eczema have skin that is very sensitive to certain fabrics. Try sticking with clothing made of breathable fabrics like cotton or cotton blends. Try to avoid wearing synthetic fabrics or wool since these materials can cause flare-ups.
Sweeping can cause issues with dust, and dust is not good for eczema. Vacuuming will keep the house clean while helping you to avoid flare-ups. While you have the cleaner out, head up to the bedrooms and vacuum the mattresses as well. This will help ensure that your room stays as dust-free as possible.
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.
Always wear gloves. They can protect your hands. Rubber gloves can prevent skin irritation when washing dishes. Wear cotton gloves when doing housework and cotton or leather gloves when you are going out into the cold. Try not to use fabrics such as wool. These will irritate your skin.
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.
Consider getting rid of your carpets and throw rugs throughout your house. Carpet and rugs are known for harboring dust mites, allergens and other microscopic irritants which can cause an eczema flair-up. So consider hardwood floors or a low pile carpet if you absolutely must have carpet in your house.
When you dust your furniture, moisten your cleaning cloth with a dusting solution or water. This keeps dust on the cloth. If you dry dust, the dust gets back into your air and is still an irritant to your condition.
Try keeping a food diary. Different foods can cause your eczema to flare up. If you are having trouble determining what to eliminate from your diet, try keeping a record of everything you eat. Look for trends and correlations between your skin irritation and the food you have been eating.
If you can go without having carpets or rugs in your house, you should do so. Much like people who suffer from allergies, eczema sufferers can face issues with carpeting and rugs. These items retain a lot of dirt and dust which trigger flare-ups. It is best to stay with tile or hardwood floor.
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.
If you are taking a bath, using bath oil or scented beads that contain oils are a great way to help soothe dry and scratchy skin. Your skin will absorb the moisture from the bath and the oils will help your skin to retain that moisture and protect your skin from drying out.
Only wear soft, comfortable, natural materials. Don’t wear clothes that are scratchy, itchy or irritating in any way. Organic cotton is an excellent choice in clothing materials for people with eczema. Always be sure to wash your new clothing items before you wear them. This will remove preservatives and any other chemicals that might be on the cloth.
People with eczema are usually told to avoid the sun. Truth is, a lot of sun is bad for the skin and may lead to burns. However, eczema also works in relation to a deficiency of Vitamin D. And, this type of deficiency can be related to not getting enough sun. So, you should try to receive 10-15 minutes of sun exposure daily.
Eczema may be a daily battle that you have to deal with. Thus, this advice takes on even greater importance. You will notice that your flareups decrease and also the severity of other regular symptoms decrease as well. Take the tips shared here and use what you can.
