Do you know what eczema is? Do you suffer from this condition, or does your child? If so, you know how unpleasant it can be to have irritated, itchy skin that just won’t go away. There are ways to treat eczema so that it does not flare up as frequently. Read on to learn more.
If you have eczema, don’t take hot showers. Take showers that are short and warm. Gently cleanse your skin with a gentle moisturizing skin cleanser rather than soap. Once the skin has been cleaned, it ought to be dried by blotting instead of rubbing.
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.
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.
If you live in an area that experiences cold weather in the winter, buy a humidifier to help decrease eczema flare-ups. During the cold winter months, we close all of our windows and turn on the furnace. This can make the air inside of a house very dry which makes the itching and dry skin associated with eczema even worse. To replace moisture in your internal environment, use a humidifier. This added moisture will keep your skin from becoming dry, cracked, itchy and irritated.
Try to avoid over-bathing. Too much water irritates eczema. Spending more than 10 minutes in direct water stops moisturizing the skin. It actually dries it out. If you are unable to bathe within 5 to 10 minutes, try streamlining your bathing routine to make it as short and thorough as possible.
Do you have eczema on your hands or wrists? Cold winter weather can be really brutal on these areas if they are not properly protected. The cold, dry air associated with winter can increase the dryness of your skin. Of course, this can cause a flare-up of your eczema. To help prevent this from happening, rub a ointment-based moisturizer on your hands and wrists. When you go outside, wear gloves for added protection.
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.
A humidifier could help you treat your eczema. Cold, dry air can dry out your skin, especially during the winter. This can trigger eczema. A humidifier introduces moisture into the air, so your skin is less likely to dry out and provide optimal conditions for eczema to thrive.
Eczema can be triggered by exposure to hot water. Hot water irritates the skin and can make the symptoms of eczema worsen and lead to dry and cracked skin. Instead of taking hot showers or baths use luke warm water when you bathe. This will clean your skin just as well as hot water but is far gentler on the skin and can prevent eczema flair ups. So, switch to warm water bathing and don’t forget to apply moisturizer immediately following your bath.
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.
Avoid scrubbing your skin. Eczema won’t just scrub away in the shower. Scrubbing your skin when you bathe will only serve to irritate it. Avoid using exfoliating scrubs and rough sponges or loofahs. Instead, use cotton rags and a gentle, unscented soap for sensitive skin. This will be much easier on your skin.
If you have to use rubber or latex gloves, put on a pair of thin cotton gloves before you put the rubber or latex gloves on. This will help avoid a reaction to the rubber or latex and will help keep your hands protected from the sweat that these gloves can cause.
As you dust around your home, you want to use a damp cloth with either water or a good dusting cleanser applied. This will make dust stick to your cloth. Dry dusting simply send the dust back into the air where it will become a greater danger of affecting the air you breathe and the things you touch.
If you suffer from eczema, take a bleach bath! This may sound like a ridiculous idea, but this can help prevent major problems. Having eczema increases your chances of developing a bacterial infection and bleach can kill this bacteria. To use this remedy, simply add a half cup of bleach to your bath twice a week in lukewarm water. Sit in it for about five minutes and then shower as usual.
If you have pets, take measure to keep their dander, dirt and dust from affecting you. That means they should not be in your bed at any time or on your couch. Consider getting their fur clipped to keep it short and to lessen the shedding. Also give them regular baths to keep them as clean as possible.
Be cool! Make an effort to keep your temperature steady at all times. Avoid extremes of either heat or cold. Be careful not to allow yourself to become chilled or overheated. Avoid getting sweaty or being exposed to humidity for long periods of time. This can make your eczema flare up.
Eczema is not a life-threatening condition, but that does not mean that it cannot make your life miserable. Anyone who suffers from eczema knows just how unpleasant it can be when it flares up. Fortunately, you can treat your eczema by using the tips and information that you have read here.
