SouthGain is pleased to present the following article by special arrangement with guest writer Aileen Stillman. If you are interested in submitting a guest article for SouthGainBlog.com, please contact us.
Eczema is a skin condition that can be both irritating and embarrassing. They typical symptoms include dry, itching and reddened skin patches, and it can be treated with moisturizers, topical steroids, and antihistamines. A person with eczema has to fight a constant battle with their skin, but, if you have this disease, there are a lot of things you can do to avoid flare ups.
- Start with Good Hygiene – With eczema, your skin is more vulnerable to infections, cold sores, and warts. To avoid these things, it is important to practice good hygiene. Take lukewarm baths. Use soap-free products, as soap may aggravate your eczema, and bath oils to help moisturize your skin. Don’t wash your hair in a bath because shampoo may irritate your skin, and pat your skin to dry it off rather than rubbing.
- Moisturize Often – Moisturize your irritated skin as much as possible. This is the best way to keep your symptoms under control. Find a plain, unscented moisturizer and start a schedule. For best results, moisturize after bathing.
- Know Your Triggers – You will find out over time what products and environments trigger your eczema. The important thing here is to learn from these experiences and avoid those things that cause your flare ups. You may have to stop using products with fragrance or stop eating certain foods and look for mild products to avoid the chemicals causing your discomfort. Some other things that may be causing your irritation include your laundry detergent and fabric softener, pet dander, certain fabrics, and chlorine in pools.
- Be Careful Which Skin Products You Use – Even some hypoallergenic products may irritate your skin. You shouldn’t use make-up whenever possible, and avoid perfumes, lotions, and soaps with strong scents. Test any new products on a small part of your skin in an inconspicuous area to see if your skin reacts to the product.
- Avoid Allergens – Some people find that when they avoid certain allergens, their eczema is completely manageable. You may be allergic to dust mites, molds, certain pollens, or specific foods. Try avoiding these things as much as possible to see if your eczema clears up.
- Temperature – Sudden temperature and humidity changes may be causing your irritation. You may have noticed that your eczema flares up after going into an air-conditioned building on a hot day or after going into a hot shower. To avoid these drastic temperature changes, don’t overheat your house in the winter or overcool it in the summer, and dress in lots of small layers when you go outside. With eczema, you want to make sure you don’t overheat, and layering your clothing makes this much easier than if you just used one large layer. Also, use a humidifier when the weather is dry and cold, and limit your amount of sun exposure in the warmer months. Some people with eczema go outside without putting on sun screen because most of these lotions irritate their condition, but then they end up harming their skin even more. Stay in the shade as much as possible to avoid overheating as well.
- Manage Your Stress Level – Lots of stress could make your eczema symptoms worse, which will make you itch and stress out more. Find a way to manage your stress level. Try meditation, yoga, exercise, a good book, or another hobby to get your mind off your stress.
- Don’t Scratch! – Trim your nails to the quick if you have to. Don’t scratch your eczema patches. It can actually make you itch more, and it could cause a skin infection. Try a cold compress, a bath, or medication if your moisturizer isn’t doing the trick.
Aileen Stillman is the creator of bachelorsofscience.org, which is a site devoted to educating readers about their opportunities should they decide to get a Bachelor of Science degree. She enjoys writing articles about skin care, science, and healthy living.
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