If can be hard to deal with eczema. The affects can range from discomfort to outright pain. Your self-esteem can also suffer due to your appearance. Understanding how to manage this condition is paramount to not letting it rule your life. Here are some tips that can help you with controlling this.
Understand what makes your eczema act up. It could be that there is a certain type of soap that gets you every time, for example. In most cases, you do not want to use anything that has a scent attached to it. That means it may be necessary to avoid perfume, some body lotions and even certain types of make-up.
Make your moisturizer your best friend. Every time you wash your hands or take a bath, apply the moisturizer. Do not get fancy. Anything that has a scent attached to it could exacerbate your condition. Also, look for a very thick product to get the best results for your skin.
Part of dealing with eczema is choosing an appropriate outfit. It has a lot to do with your comfort level. You should put on clothes that fit loosely and which are made from natural fibers like cotton. Never wear wool or other coarse fabrics that could irritate the skin. All clothes should be rinsed twice and washed using a mild detergent before you first wear them.
When buying a detergent, look for something that is not scented. If you are having trouble finding one that works for you, look for products labeled “free and clear” and see if they work. In addition, it may be best not to use a fabric softener at all. This product can cause an issue for people with eczema, so it is usually not worth the risk.
Those who have eczema should not use a washcloth or body sponge when they are taking a bath or a shower. If you wash your body with such rough-surfaced items, the friction will irritate your skin. Skin irritation can lead to a flare-up of your eczema. To clean your body, simply use your hands to lather up.
Wear clothing that isn’t irritating to the eczema condition. You may find that some fabrics can trigger flare ups. If you suffer from eczema, cottons are the healthiest fabrics. Wash your clothes when you buy them new, too. Use a mild, unscented detergent that doesn’t contain fabric softener.
Don’t cut off all exposure to the sun. Your eczema could be a result of a Vitamin D deficiency, so blocking out the sun entirely is not a good idea. You should be getting at least 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight a day sans sunscreen. Don’t get any more than that though or you could burn.
Make sure you wear clothes that are comfy as possible. People that have eczema have skin that is very sensitive to certain fabrics. Try sticking with clothing made of breathable fabrics like cotton or cotton blends. Try to avoid wearing synthetic fabrics or wool since these materials can cause flare-ups.
Although eczema presently can’t be cured, there are various strategies that be used to manage it. If you have eczema on your hands, always cover them with plastic or vinyl gloves when doing water-related chores, such as washing dishes. If you hands tend to sweat while wearing these gloves, wear cotton gloves under them to soak up the sweat.
Should your eczema start to bother you, do not itch, no matter how tempted you are to do so. Scratching not only makes itching worse, but it can actually irritate your skin and even cause infection. Try to find other ways to deal with the itching; apply cold compresses to the affected area or use medications.
How you bathe is important if you suffer from eczema. For starters, stay away from hot showers or baths; this will just irritate your skin. Use water that is room temperature. Do not scrub your skin and stay away from scented soaps. When you are done showering, pat your skin dry.
When you dust, try using a water-dampened, clean, moisturized cloth or a dusting cleaner. This helps the dust adhere to the dusting cloth. If you dust without the cleaner, then the dust will fly into the air and lead to more serious health problems.
Have your doctor run some tests to identify any allergies you may have. It is possible your eczema is an allergic reaction to products like gluten, peanuts, soy or dairy. These are common allergens, and it’s a good idea to avoid them. Add soothing substances like vitamin A and vitamin D, fish oils, coconut oil and fish oils to your diet.
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 and remove them from the air you breathe and keep them from resettling on the surfaces of your house.
You may find that rubber gloves or latex gloves can be irritating to your skin. In fact, many people are allergic to latex which has led to gloves being made that are latex free. So when you need to wear protective cloves, invest in some vinyl ones to reduce your risk of irritation.
Living with eczema isn’t the most pleasant thing, but there are some things you can do to control it. What you read can make for some important changes to assist you with battling eczema. Keep in mind what you’ve learned here and start better managing your eczema today.
