Eczema is not just a skin condition that affects babies and toddlers. It can happen to anyone at any age. If you find yourself dealing with red, itchy skin, you may be suffering from this problem. Read the advice in the following article, and then talk to your doctor about treatment options.
Avoid scratching your skin in areas that have eczema. This will only aid in making the skin itchier and increase inflammation. It could also cause infection. If you need to calm the itch, try applying a cooling gel or moisturizer. Make sure fingernails are clipped short, as well.
It would be best if you always used sunscreen. This is even more important when you have eczema. Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, so you don’t get a sunburn. Having a sunburn can make your skin even itchier than usual. You could use sunscreens specifically formulated for the face on the entire body. These are generally more gentle to use.
There are several medications you can try to help relieve the itching of eczema. Topical treatments include 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.
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 natural oils. When drying your body after bathing, use a towel to pat your skin until it’s partially dry. While your skin is still damp, apply a moisturizer to lock in the bath’s moisture.
When dealing with eczema, you must choose clothing that does not make the skin irritable. Some materials, particularly synthetics, can trigger outbreaks. The best fabric choice for any eczema patient is always cotton. Anytime you purchase new clothing, be sure it is thoroughly washed and rinsed before you don it. Mild, unscented detergent should be used, and never use softener.
Discuss medications with your doctor. If an over-the-counter medication doesn’t do the trick, a prescription one might. Use store-bought and prescription medication as directed. Straying from the instructions could cause more harm than good. At the very least, it will be ineffective, resulting in a waste of both effort and money.
The causes of eczema are unknown, and there is no cure; however, effective treatments exist. Dishpan hands are eczema on the hands, making the skin dry and cracked. You should always wear rubber gloves when you wash dishes. If you are sensitive to latex, wear a thin pair of cotton gloves underneath to protect your skin. After the dishes are washed, gently clean your hands, pat dry, and add moisturizer.
Take a bath at least once a day. Showers are great for getting clean, but sitting in the tub is the best way to soothe and moisturize your skin. You do not need to limit yourself to one bath a day. If you find that it helps, take as many baths as possible.
Buy a good humidifier and use it when the air is dry. You might use it 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 the skin.
If you sometimes get eczema, outbreaks could be caused by allergies. Avoid using strong household chemicals as much as possible and aromatic laundry products. Take care to notice if any pattern develops that may associate an outbreak with any of these products.
Vacuuming is a better choice than sweeping. Sweeping will stir up the dust and put it back into the air. Using a vacuum (with a good filtering bag) will capture the particles, remove them from the air you breathe, and keep them from resettling on the surfaces of your house.
Avoid feather pillows and opt for a less likely pillow to attract and keep dust mites. Foam pillows may be a better choice for you, and you can also invest in pillowcases that help keep dust, dust mites, and allergens from getting into the pillow in the first place.
When drying off after a relaxing bath, always use a soft towel rather than a scratchy one. You may want to buy unique towels for yourself and wash them with a gentle detergent and softener that doesn’t have harsh chemicals. Laundry products for a baby’s sensitive skin are a good choice.
Avoid having tags or seams in your clothing. Tags and seams in clothing can scratch your skin, worsening eczema. Buy tagless clothing, or cut them off. Watch out for seams that may irritate you after a while. Wear undergarments inside out if they have seams.
Keep your emotions on an even keel. Stress causes lots of problems in lots of areas of life. It is no surprise that stress can make eczema symptoms worse. Avoid stressful situations and stress-provoking people. Keep your life organized and straightforward. Practice stress management and stress reduction techniques.
When bathing, use a mild body wash or bar soap with no fragrance. Most of the time, the chemicals that create fragrances are irritants. Therefore, you need to select hypoallergenic items or products formulated for babies.
Always vacuum instead of sweeping. Sweeping sweeps dirt, dust, and other irritants into the air. This can irritate your skin and make your eczema worse if you do not have carpeting in your home, purchase a vacuum that you can use on hardwood floors as well. The investment will be worth it.
If you suspect that you may be suffering from eczema, you need to find an effective treatment. There is no reason to suffer any longer than you have to. By using the information in this article, you can treat your current eczema and prevent it from coming back again.
