Having eczema can be frustrating but it does not have to take over your life. You can deal with it just by making small changes. Below are some wonderful tips for dealing with eczema. These tips are going to allow you to lessen the outbreaks and how severe those outbreaks are.
If you are afflicted with eczema, do not use hot water when showering. Your daily shower should be short and warm. Avoid using soap, rather use a gentle type of cleanser and avoid rubbing your skin while using it. Once your skin is clean, gently pat to dry it.
You may not be thinking about your clothes when you have eczema. However, your comfort will be determined by the clothing that you wear. Cotton clothing that is loose fitting will feel good against your skin. Wool can be an irritant to the skin. Wash everything you buy right away in a mild, natural laundry soap.
Don’t scratch, even though it will be extremely tempting. Eczema can be quite uncomfortable. If you scratch, though, you will just feel the need to continue scratching. You could actually harm the skin and bring on an infection. When you are having symptoms, apply a cold compress and moisturize often.
If you are an eczema sufferer, try to eliminate the stress in your life. Stress tends to make eczema flare up. If you are under a bit of stress, try to relieve some of that through meditation, exercise or other relaxing techniques. This will reduce the amount of outbreaks that you have.
When you pick a sunscreen, try finding one that is PABA-free. This is an ingredient that is known to irritate the skin and cause eczema to flare-up. Make sure to carefully review ingredients, even in PABA-free products. Ultimately, when in doubt, ask your doctor for a prescription sunscreen product.
Make sure to wear clothing that doesn’t irritate your skin. Certain types of fabrics can contribute to flare ups. Cotton clothing is what you should wear when you have an eczema problem. Also, wash all new clothes before you ever wear them. Mild detergents and no fabric softeners ought to be used.
Choose an ointment over a lotion. They work quite well because they add a protective layer to the skin. Creams or lotions can fail to do this. Therefore, ointments are better for eczema.
A warm bath may give you some relief from itching skin. Make sure, though, that the water is not overly hot or cold. Put oatmeal on the surface of your skin. You can also add a small amount of bleach to kill bacteria attached to your skin.
A humidifier is a great investment if you suffer from eczema. This can help increase the moisture in the air. The steam has water droplets that moisten the area that it is in. This will keep your skin feeling its best regardless of the weather outside. Just make sure you keep it clean to prevent other health issues.
While no one is sure about a specific eczema cause, effective treatments are out there. Do your hands crack and get very dry after you spend time washing the dishes? You may have “dishpan hands.” Wear gloves while washing dishes so you can avoid this. If latex is an issue, use thin cotton gloves beneath the latex as protection. Right after you wash dishes you should gently start to clean and then dry your hands. Then you need to apply some moisturizer right away.
Eczema is frustrating; however, it should not control you. Making the necessary changes will help you control it better. The advice you were given above will allow you to stay away from breaking out while making sure you treat the problem you have already.