No doubt the skin condition eczema can make your life unpredictable. Your skin can be perfect one day and troublesome the next. It can take time to really take control of this condition. Here are tips to lessen flareups and control your skin.
Moisturizing creams and ointments are your best choice to alleviate your dry and itchy skin. They are better than lotions. Petroleum jelly is also a favorite, and it works better than lotion as well. No matter the choice, be sure that it’s free of fragrances and alcohol. Use a moisturizer twice a day.
Reduce your stress levels as much as you can. Stress can make a flare-up occur. If you’re under stress, try stress-relieving techniques, such as exercise and meditation. Then you can avoid stress-induced flare-ups.
Always wear clothing that is comfortable and does not cause irritation. Synthetic fabrics, for example, can be problematic. You should wear cotton when you suffer from eczema. Make sure that you launder new clothes before you put them on. Use a mild, unscented detergent that doesn’t contain fabric softener.
Reduce the amount you sweat to prevent eczema flare-ups. Your eczema symptoms will not like sweat when it hits. If you’re active, cool yourself off after you are done. Shower when you are done with a workout.
A warm bath can give you relief from eczema. The water should be warm, not too hot or cold. Sprinkle some colloidal oatmeal or baking soda in your bath. This helps soothe the skin. Or, you could pour a 1/2 cup of bleach into a standard bath to reduce skin bacteria.
When the skin is just a little damp, the time is right to put on moisturizer. Generally, the first three minutes after showering are the best. Use a towel to blot your skin, so it stays damp and maintains its natural oils. Once finished, put the moisturizer on the skin. Do your best to perform these tasks within three minutes of a shower or bath.
When you notice your eczema becoming very dry and patchy, using a humidifier can prove very helpful. Humidifiers allow moisture to enter dry air. There are drops of water in this steam, which moistens the air. This helps keep the skin hydrated and comfortable, regardless of the weather conditions. Be sure to keep it cleaned to avoid other health issues.
Don’t take showers that are too hot. Hot showers may feel great to you, but they can make your skin irritated. Do not take hot showers in the morning or at night. Keep the water at room temperature when you shower. Clean the skin with something that’s gentle, and be sure you use a moisturizer after that.
Keep the skin moisturized to help prevent outbreaks. Moisturized skin stays flexible, soft, and won’t crack as much. Make use of unscented ointments or petroleum jelly that will have few ingredients to cause irritation. Fragrances, dyes, and other chemicals frequently found in moisturizers can aggravate eczema instead of soothing or preventing it.
Watch for items that trigger your eczema. For example, dust mites could be to blame. Some people have problems with scented soap. Regardless of what affects you, it is important to pinpoint the cause, so you can stay away from that product or situation. It could be all about habit change, but if it helps you, that’s a step you should take.
Make sure you wear gloves when working with your hands. You must keep your hands protected. When doing the dishes, wear rubber gloves to avoid irritating your skin. Wear cotton gloves when doing housework and cotton or leather gloves when you are going out into the cold. Wool is a fabric that you should avoid. Your skin will become quickly irritated when exposed to wool.
If you dust your house, use a clean damp cloth. This keeps dust on the cloth. When you dust with a dry cloth, you just kick the dust around in the air, making the environment dusty.
Though it may sound surprising, a key eczema tip is to ensure that your nails are always short and clean. It is a natural reaction to itch from your eczema. However, long, dirty nails being used to scratch your skin may cause infections. Avoid this by having good hygiene.
Refrain from putting too many rugs in your home. Much like people who suffer from allergies, eczema sufferers can face issues with carpeting and rugs. These items retain a lot of dirt and dust which trigger flare-ups. If you suffer from eczema, a hard floor is a better choice.
Try to take all tags off of your clothing. These tags will constantly irritate your skin, making your condition worse. Try to get clothing that is tagless. Also, try to eliminate seams that are worn. Turn undergarments inside out if you notice the seams there.
If you have been diagnosed with eczema, you might have been told to keep out of the sun. Yes, too much sunlight is not good at all for the skin. However, if you are deficient in vitamin D, that can contribute to eczema. Vitamin D deficiency is caused by a lack of exposure to the sun. It is best to limit sun exposure to 10-15 minutes a day.
As you are probably aware, eczema can become a never-ending battle. Thus, this advice takes on even greater importance. It can help decrease the likelihood of flare-ups in the future and how severe they are. Use the tips detailed above today.
