7 Tips for Alleviating Eczema
Eczema affects approximately 35 million people in the US. The condition causes irritated, itchy and painful skin. Getting the condition under control isn’t always easy and living with raw irritated skin can be miserable. Although the best way to deal with the condition is to prevent flares from happening in the first place, it’s not always possible to avoid them.
Know What Triggers Eczema
It’s not entirely known what causes eczema, and certainly, it may be different for most people, but experts like those from the National Eczema Association believe a combination of genetics and different triggers are to blame. It's probably easier to prevent a flare than to end one, so it’s important to know the potential triggers. Dry skin, stress and irritants may be to blame.
Irritants can include dish and hand soap, laundry detergent, household cleaners, disinfectants, body wash, shampoos, lotions, fragrances, certain fabrics (wool and polyester), cigarette smoke, metals (especially nickel), formaldehyde and antibacterial ointments, to name a few. Be sure to read labels for harsh ingredients, and opt for fragrance-free products whenever possible. It’s also believed that food allergies can trigger flares in some individuals, with dairy products and wheat being some of the most common.
Tracking the ingredients of what is going on the skin can help to create a potential triggers list when flares come up. Like many medical conditions, stress may also be to blame so tracking this along with foods and topicals can be helpful, too.
Tips to Heal Eczema Flares
Avoiding potential triggers can help, but sometimes eczema flare-ups are unavoidable. Once a flare has already occurred, there are a number of things that can be done in the hope of alleviating pain and itchiness.
Here are some tips for possible eczema relief:
- Avoid scratching. It can be difficult to deal with the itching that occurs with a flare, but scratching will only worsen the problem and increase the odds of infection. Consider keeping nails short to reduce bleeding risk.
- Find the right moisturizer. The National Eczema Association recommends choosing an ointment as the first line of defense since they contain more oil and are best at sealing in moisture. Creams are the next best option, followed by lotions. Skin barrier creams should only be used under the direction of a doctor. When choosing any moisturizer, opt for dye and fragrance-free formulas.
- Apply moisturizers at the right time. Just as important as choosing the right moisturizer is knowing when to use it. The best time is within 3 minutes of showering or bathing to help seal in moisture. It’s also ideal to moisturize hands at every washing.
- Take oatmeal baths. A 2012 study found that colloidal oatmeal baths can alleviate itching and irritation caused by eczema. Simply add a cup of colloidal oatmeal in a warm bath.
- Avoid using hot water. Whether taking a bath or showering, it’s best to opt for cool to warm temperatures. Hot water can draw out moisture, which will only lead to further skin irritation.
- Consider using coconut oil. Not only does coconut oil act as a natural moisturizer, but it also reduces the risk of staph infections. Since eczema can lead to skin cracking and oozing, sufferers are more susceptible to infections.
- Visit a dermatologist. If the above-mentioned tips don’t help alleviate your eczema, it might be time to consider other options. While there is no cure for eczema, there are prescription treatments that can help control the condition.
Eczema can be painful and irritating, but following these tips for relief can help. Although these tips can help alleviate an eczema flare when it occurs, following them regularly might help keep skin in tip-top shape. Though cliche, in the case of eczema, an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure.
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