Eczema is a skin condition that primarily affects infants and young children, though adults can suffer from it as well. Your skin becomes irritated and inflamed, and it often makes you itch uncontrollably. Fortunately, there are some effective means of treating eczema. Keep reading to find out more about this condition.
When you have eczema, you should take caution to clean the skin gently. Once you have washed your skin, and it is still moist, apply a good moisturizer to the skin within three minutes to ensure the moisture is sealed into the skin. You may even want to soak in a nice oatmeal bath as well before you moisturize.
Understand what makes your eczema act up. It could be that there is a certain type of soap that gets you every time, for example. In most cases, you do not want to use anything that has a scent attached to it. That means it may be necessary to avoid perfume, some body lotions and even certain types of make-up.
Common treatments for eczema include topical creams and ointments that contain cortisone. You could try hydrocortisone that can be purchased at your local drug store. If this doesn’t soothe your eczema, you should talk with your doctor about possibly getting a stronger prescription from him. These will work like other steroid creams, but will be able to be used for a longer time.
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.
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.
Moisturize regularly. Moisturizers are of great help when it comes to controlling eczema. Use a moisturizer after your shower. Make sure the product you use is free of unnatural additives, fragrances, and chemicals. This will only cause to irritate the surface of your skin. Thick creams and ointments work best
If you have eczema, rubbing your skin with a towel to get it dry may aggravate your eczema and lead to a flare-up. Rubbing produces friction which can irritate sensitive skin areas. It also removes your body’s naturals oils. When drying you body after bathing, use a towel to pat your skin until it’s partially dry. While your skin is still a bit damp, apply a moisturizer to lock in the bath’s moisture.
If you suffer from eczema, you must keep your skin hydrated. This is the simplest way to combat eczema and avoid many flare-ups. Moisturize often and liberally. After you shower or bathe is the best time to moisturize. Use moisturizers that are unscented.
To reduce eczema flare-ups, there are some basic bathing rules you can follow. Use room temperature water in your tub or shower. Hot water can cause eczema flare-ups. Don’t scrub your skin. Use a gentle soap alternative instead of soap itself. Pat your skin dry, and liberally apply moisturizer when you are done bathing.
Keep your hands protected. These eczema-prone areas are exposed to water and irritating substances like cleaning products. Too much moisture or sweat can trigger symptoms. When you need to submerge them in water, try using rubber gloves. Wearing cotton gloves can also keep hands protected when doing work around the house. Try wearing cotton or leather gloves when doing outside work.
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.
Talk to your doctor. Eczema is unpleasant, and you shouldn’t have to suffer because of it. Get some professional advice if managing your eczema proves too difficult. A doctor can usually help determine what is causing your eczema, give you advice, and prescribe something to help, like a cream or antihistamine.
Should your eczema start to bother you, do not itch, no matter how tempted you are to do so. Scratching not only makes itching worse, but it can actually irritate your skin and even cause infection. Try to find other ways to deal with the itching; apply cold compresses to the affected area or use medications.
Buy a good humidifier and use it when the air is dry. You might use if year round in a dry, arid climate. If you live in a humid climate, you might only need to use it in the winter when your heater is on, pumping out dry, hot air which quickly dries out skin.
Take care not to scratch. If you tend to scratch in your sleep, be sure the itchy areas are covered by gauze, bandages or pajamas. Trim your fingernails very short so that you will not be able to scratch much while sleeping. Use cold compresses and/or anti-itch treatments right before bed.
When dusting, use a clean cloth that has been moistened with water or a dusting cleanser. This will allow the dust to stay on the cloth. If you dry dust, you simply move dust around, which can bother your skin condition.
While everyone feels itchy from time to time, people who suffer from eczema may find themselves itching constantly. This condition, if left untreated, can be very difficult to live with. However, there are things that you can do to keep your eczema under control. Use the tips you have read here to get started.
