Ways To Help Manage And Control Your Eczema

Eczema can be a painful skin condition, and experiencing it can be frustrating, feel unpleasant and sometimes embarrassing. But there are things you can do to help control and prevent the symptoms associated with eczema, such as very dry, sore and itchy skin, bleeding, and flare-ups, which is when it becomes very active. This article shares some of the different ways you can manage and control your eczema.  

Use a good skin cream

A first important point to mention when finding ways to manage and control your eczema is to use a good skin cream or ointment. Steroid creams, like a hydrocortisone cream, are a common treatment that can help ease inflammation and reduce redness and itchiness of the skin. Creams like this are easily accessible from both high-street chemists and online pharmacies, like Chemist4U. Always having a cream to hand – at home, or in your bag when you’re at work or out and about ­– can ensure you’re fully prepared if you have a flare-up.

Keep your skin moist  

Dry skin can be a common trigger of a flare-up, especially in the winter when the air can be very dry. If skin becomes too dry it can get rough and itchy, crack and lead to infection. To help prevent this, you should aim to keep your skin moist as best you can. Moisturising the skin with a body cream or lotion regularly and after a shower can help. Having a humidifier in your house, such as your living room or bedroom, can also help moisten the air in your home. It’s also wise to make time for a daily skin routine to keep your skin moisturised each day.

Wear loose-fitting, soft and light clothing

Another eczema trigger can be wearing rough, itchy and heavy fabrics. The scratching and rubbing of the materials can irritate the skin, and repetitive scratching can cause the skin to thicken and become very itchy. Clothes that are too heavy or tight can also cause you to sweat and trigger a flare-up. For this reason, it’s best to avoid wearing tight or heavy and itchy clothes, like those made of wool, and opt for loose-fitting, soft and light clothing, which doesn’t rub, instead. It’s also advisable to wash new clothes before you wear them to help remove chemicals that might irritate your skin. 

Reduce stress and anxiety

Stress and anxiety can be common triggers of eczema. They can also create a vicious cycle, as having very itchy and sore skin is likely to cause you more stress. So it’s advisable to do your best to control and reduce any stress you might experience. Be wary of situations that might cause you stress and then do what you can to relieve it. Things that can help include regular exercise, breathing techniques, and methods of relaxation like meditation, massages and warm soaks in the bath. A good night’s sleep can also help, as stressful situations are likely to make you feel less stressed when you’re not so tired.   

Keep your home clean and cool

Dust and warm environments can both trigger eczema or make it worse. Dust can irritate the skin and warm temperatures can cause you to sweat, which can make the skin itchy and cause a flare-up. This can especially happen in the winter when you’re likely to have your heating higher in your home, and the low humidity can dry out your skin. So it’s wise to clean you home frequently, keep it free of dust as much as possible, and at a cool temperature.

Take daily warm baths or showers

When you have eczema, how, and how often, you wash is important. It’s advisable to have at least one shower or bath each day in lukewarm, not hot, water, for five to 10 minutes. When washing you should use a gentle cleanser, like one for sensitive skin, without added perfume or dye, as these can be common eczema triggers. You should also not scrub, but gentle wash, the skin. After washing, it’s advisable to gently pat the skin so it’s still damp when applying your moisturiser. This will help the skin better absorb the cream.

Don’t scratch and go for check-ups

When extreme itching and soreness occurs during a flare-up, it can be tempting to scratch your skin. However, this can make eczema worse, as rubbing and scratching can break the skin, which can lead to infection. If an extreme flare-up happens, it’s better to instead consult your doctor. Sudden or frequent flare-ups could mean you have an allergy, like to eggs, dairy products or pollen. So it’s wise to book a doctor’s appointment and have a check-up. Your doctor might want to discuss allergy testing with you to find out what triggers your eczema. They could then start a course of treatment to help you manage it even better.    

No comments:

Post a Comment