While there are many people that are being treated for eczema, there are that many more that are looking for solutions on their own. Whether you choose to treat this with over-the-counter medications, or with a doctor’s care, the following suggestions will give you good information on where you should begin and what you should be looking for. Read on for great information that you can arm yourself with in the quest to get your eczema under control.
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.
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.
Lotions and creams do not usually work as well as ointments. Ointments have a bit more oil in them, which generally helps them moisturize more effectively. They are a little harder to apply than creams, however, but they are much better at adding a protective layer to the skin and easing your symptoms.
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.
There are several things you can do to keep yourself from scratching your eczema. The best thing to do is keep it covered. Loose clothing may work, or try bandages or dressings on the afflicted area. Keep your fingernails trimmed short, and consider wearing gloves when you go to bed to avoid scratching while you are sleeping.
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.
Try not to sweat. Sweating can aggravate your symptoms. Of course you want to stay active, but you need to monitor activity and cool off immediately afterward. Try showering as soon as possible after working out.
Don’t cut off all exposure to the sun. Your eczema could be a result of a Vitamin D deficiency, so blocking out the sun entirely is not a good idea. You should be getting at least 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight a day sans sunscreen. Don’t get any more than that though or you could burn.
Keep your stress levels down if you have eczema. The chances of having it flare up increase when you are stressed out. Stress can also make eczema itchier and more uncomfortable. That can create a never-ending cycle of anger and frustration from dealing with both your stress and your skin. Try relaxing by doing activities like yoga, deep breathing, and meditation.
Remember to moisturize your skin. Moisturizing your skin regularly is one of the best ways you can combat eczema. Look for thick, unscented moisturizers that will not aggravate your skin. Too many chemicals or additives in a moisturizer can be counterproductive. Apply it on a daily basis, especially after taking a shower or bath.
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.
It is important to avoid too much stress if you suffer from eczema. Of course, having the skin condition can cause stress, as can life itself. But, a lot of stress increases flare-ups. If you find yourself getting stressed out, learn how to relax yourself. Yoga and meditation are two great ideas.
One simple way to treat eczema is to be sure you never let your skin become too dry. Choose a high quality moisturizer made with all natural ingredients. It is better to choose a hypoallergenic brand that is unscented. Keep a small bottle or jar with you to moisturize as needed throughout the day.
Most patients with eczema already know how important it is to moisturize their skin. But, what many do not know is the proper way to moisturize it. For starters, use a product that is unscented and contains no chemicals, as this can bother your skin. Also, be sure to moisturize frequently, especially after you shower.
When you bathe or shower, be sure to avoid extremes. Water that is too hot or too cold will irritate your skin. Hot water tends to leach all the moisture out of skin and may make your symptoms worse. Set the heat of your water at a comfortable, soothing level to avoid drying out your skin.
When cleaning your home, cover up your skin. As you clean, you are stirring up dust and dirt that can irritate your skin. Covering up your body can prevent this from occurring. Also, don’t forget to wear gloves on your hands and keep hair up and away from your face.
As you have read from the above article, people are suffering from eczema each and every day. There are solutions, however, on how to deal with it. The article has given great suggestions to try. It is now up to you to be proactive in your approach as to what will work best for you. Once you find what works best for you, you can then start living your life again, whether or not your eczema decides to flare up.
