Patients suffering from eczema are hypersensitive to a multitude of substances and conditions that cause the skin to erupt and the symptoms to flare. These are triggers to avoid in order easing the painful symptoms.

Irritants and Allergens

It is important to note that some of these substances play the role of irritants while others are allergens, setting off an allergic skin reaction.

The unfortunate part is that not only are these triggers numerous, they are also everyday substances and conditions that may be difficult to avoid.

For instance, eczema patients are extremely susceptible to stress. Some jobs are more stressful than others, while others may find themselves in life circumstances that are filled with anxiety and are difficult to change.

Stress-Reduction Techniques

What you can do is develop habits that reduce stress like meditation and yoga that tend to calm the mind and body.

Weather changes are another trigger to avoid. Abrupt changes in both temperature and humidity can set off a skin reaction. Patients can therefore try and regulate the temperature by using air conditioning, heaters and humidifiers to balance sudden atmospheric changes.

Food Allergies

Foods are another trigger for eczema patients. Common triggers to avoid are milk, eggs, peanuts, soyabean, wheat, seafood and several fruit.

But how do you determine which foods your body is reacting to? The answer is to adopt an elimination procedure or elimination diet. This can take a while but it is inevitable if you want to remedy the situation.

Another category of triggers is soaps and detergents. Stay away from soaps and bubble baths as these make the skin dry and irritable. Emollients are a good substitute.

Also, make sure you rinse your clothes thoroughly after you wash them in detergent just to get the chemical off the fabric.

This brings us to the next kind of trigger to avoid. It has been noticed that certain fabrics irritate the skin more than others. Wear cotton clothes as far as possible and avoid rough woolly fabrics.

Deadly Dust Mites

The next kind of trigger to avoid is dust and dust mites. These are microscopic organisms that are present everywhere, especially in dust-prone zones of the house like bedrooms and mattresses.

Changing the bedclothes regularly might help.

Other triggers to avoid include pollen, moulds and pet hair.

Triggers to Avoid – Eczema is a post from: Skincare

Though there is no cure for eczema, there are various treatment options available to alleviate the symptoms and control eczema flares. One of them is cleansing the skin.

Cleansing and Dry Skin

Cleansing is important because eczema causes rashes, dryness of the skin and inflammation. The skin becomes very sensitive. Therefore, one must pay attention to the products one uses to ease these painful symptoms.

Soaps in general and bar soaps in particular are responsible for drying the skin. But there’s no need to despair. There are several kinds of non-soap based liquid cleansers available, which cause less damage to the skin.

Using Emollients

Research has shown that cleansers containing emollients do not make the skin dry and, in fact, add moisture to the skin. The emollients used in these products include sunflower oil, soyabean oil, petroleum, shea butter and jojoba butter.

There is a wide range of emollient-rich products in the market to choose from.

People suffering from eczema should use cleansing agents only when water is not enough to remove dirt from the skin.  This is because frequent washing and drying with a towel damage the already flaky and cracked epidermis.

Mild Cleansers

A mild cleanser should be used, as the dirt and bacteria should be washed away without causing further irritation and damage. The cleanser should not contain fragrances, anti-bacterial agents and chemicals that irritate the skin. 

It is important to remember that even mild cleansers should never be used during a flare-up of eczema, as the skin is very sensitive. 

Although various companies marketing skin care products have conducted clinical tests to determine the efficacy of their cleansing agents, there is no consensus that one particular kind of product is the best.

Recent research indicates that plain yoghurt can be used as a skin cleanser, as the probiotics it contains reduce the incidence and severity of eczema. Mineral oil is also an effective cleansing agent.

Liver Cleansing

Some experts on natural health believe that eczema is caused by poor liver function. These experts say that liver cleansing removes toxins and provides relief from the symptoms of eczema.

A daily routine of cleansing and hydrating the skin can maintain its natural protective barrier and significantly reduce the itching and flare-ups of eczema.

All about Cleansing is a post from: Skincare

Chronic eczema results in dry and irritated skin.  A daily routine of skin care is essential for keeping the disease under control, which includes cleansing, bathing and moisturizing.

Washing Away Bacteria

Bathing is important to keep the skin free of dirt and bacteria. It is also a good way to hydrate the skin.

Doctors recommend bathing in lukewarm water for not more than ten minutes as prolonged immersion can interfere with the skin’s ability to retain moisture. The water should be warm, as hot water makes the skin dry.

A gentle cleanser is preferable to soap. However, if you are using a bar of soap, choose one that is not scented and has an oil or fat base. Use soap sparingly and only on areas where it is necessary.

No Scrubbing Aids

Do not use washcloths, sponges and loofas to bathe as these can scrape and irritate the skin. After bathing, do not dry vigorously but pat dry with a soft towel.

Water hydrates the outermost layer of the skin called the epidermis. It softens the skin and aids absorption of moisturizers and topical ointments.

It washes away allergens, irritants, dirt and bacteria. Water is even more effective in hydrating the skin if a moisturizer is applied on damp skin within three minutes to seal in the tiny droplets.

Types of Baths

Soaking in a tub of water for 10 minutes is recommended. There are various ingredients which can be added to the bath water to ease the symptoms of eczema.

Adding half a cup of household bleach to a tub of water can kill the bacteria on the skin and reduce infections. A cup of vinegar will have the same effect.

A cup of table salt or some baking soda will reduce the irritation caused by the water during a flare-up of eczema. Tar and oatmeal baths can also be used to relieve itching.

Swimming and Chlorine

A swim also hydrates the skin. The chlorine in the swimming pool can kill the bacteria that cause itching and infections. However, it is advisable to shower immediately after a swim to get rid of the chlorine left on the skin.

Bathing and moisturizing play an important part in controlling eczema and also in preventing secondary infections.

Bathing and Natural Hydration is a post from: Skincare

Recent research has proved that moisturizing your skin regularly is an important part of keeping the symptoms of eczema under control. 

Evaporation through Skin

The surface layer of normal skin performs the functions of preventing water loss by evaporation and retaining moisture in the cells.

In patients suffering from eczema, this function of the skin is impaired and water easily evaporates from the surface of the skin. This causes the cells of the outermost layer, or the stratum corneum, to become dry. The skin then cracks, allowing bacteria and allergens easy access.

Why Moisturize

Daily moisturizing helps to keep the skin hydrated and restores its ability to retain moisture.

It soothes the inflamed skin and prevents itching and the entry of allergens and bacteria which cause secondary infection. Moisturizers also help to prevent eczema flare-ups.

There are three basic types of moisturizers: Ointments, creams and lotions. Ointments like petroleum jelly are thick and oil-based.  They effectively hydrate the skin by preventing loss of moisture.  However, their greasiness makes them a less popular choice.

Creams and Lotions

Creams are mixtures of oil in water. They are less greasy than ointments and are easily absorbed by the skin. However, many creams contain stabilizers and preservatives which can cause skin irritation.

Lotions are thin mixtures of oil in water.  As water is the main ingredient and evaporates easily, lotions are not very effective in moisturizing dry skin.

A combination of different types of moisturizers can be used to provide maximum hydration to the skin. For instance, you can choose a lighter lotion for day use and an ointment for use at night. 

A wide range of moisturizers containing different ingredients are easily available. Moisturizers containing alpha hydroxy acids work as exfoliants and are effective on scaly skin. They are useful for mild cases of eczema.

Ceramides are a new type of moisturizer which can be used to treat eczema. They contain lipids or fats in the same balance as your skin and help retain skin moisture.

Moisturizing Techniques

Moisturizers should be applied within three minutes of bathing.  The skin should be damp to allow maximum penetration of the moisturizer.  If a topical medication has been prescribed, it should be applied first and the moisturizer over it. 

The correct way to apply a moisturizer is to first soften it by rubbing between your hands and then spread it on your skin by using downward strokes.

Do not rub in an up-and-down motion or in circles. Apply the moisturizer generously at least twice a day.

Moisturizing is a very important self-care treatment for eczema and can provide relief from symptoms and accelerate the healing process.

All about Moisturizing is a post from: Skincare

Eczema is a long-term or chronic skin disorder and besides medical treatments prescribed by a doctor; there are various other self care options to manage the condition.

Reducing Irritation

An important step in treating eczema is reducing skin irritation.  This can be achieved by various preventive measures. Do not rub or scratch your skin.  If itching is difficult to control, cover the affected area with a dressing and wear gloves at night. 

Cool gel packs, cold compresses or cold wet fomentations can be applied on the itchy area to reduce irritation.

Do not wear tight-fitting clothes made from rough or scratchy fabric such as wool. Cotton clothes are the best. Wash new clothes before wearing them to remove chemicals used during manufacture and packing.

Avoid vigorous exercise that causes sweating and skin irritation, especially during an eczema flare-up.

Avoid exposing your skin to detergents and harsh soaps. Wear gloves when performing household chores like washing up and cleaning.

Preventing Dry Skin

Other self care options include taking lukewarm showers or brief baths with a mild non-soap cleanser. Daub the skin dry and moisturize immediately. Use products that are free of dyes and fragrances. Moisturize your skin at least twice a day.

Swimming hydrates the skin, and the chlorine in the water kills bacteria. Shower immediately after a swim to remove the residual chlorine.

Use sunscreen regularly and avoid sunburn as skin with eczema patches is very sensitive to ultraviolet light.

Removing Allergens

Identify the allergens causing eczema and remove or minimize them in your immediate environment. These include animal dander, dust mites, detergents and soaps, mental stress and fatigue. Some foods like shellfish, eggs and nuts also trigger eczema and must be eliminated from your diet.

Did you know that you can get a severe rash from contact with a mango rind? Contact with certain plants and fruits containing allergens can be avoided by wearing gloves when gardening.

Hydrocortisone cream is useful in mild eczema. A calamine lotion can relieve itching. Antihistamines can be taken orally, especially when the itching is severe and disrupts sleep.

Natural Therapies

Evening primrose oil has been found effective in reducing inflammation. Other self care natural remedies include nutmeg paste, a paste of camphor and sandalwood, natural vitamin E, even blueberry leaves.

Traditional Chinese herbal therapy has been found effective in some cases of eczema and is among the other self care options.

Other Self Care – Eczema is a post from: Skincare