Living with eczema can be very frustrating. If you are from eczema, you have to learn to find ways to manage it better. There are also medications to help manage the symptoms.
What is eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition characterized by dry, itchy skin. It affects people of all ages, including children. Individuals with mild eczema can control their eczema with eczema treatments. However, more severe eczema requires a combination of medication and lifestyle changes to relieve its symptoms.
Some of the common symptoms of eczema include:
- Itchiness
- Dry skin
- Redness
- Inflammation
- Soreness
How to manage eczema
To help manage the symptoms of eczema, try these proven self-care measures:
1. Moisturize your skin regularly
Look for a product that works well for your skin. Some of the products you can try include creams, bath oils, sprays, or ointments. Dry skin oil is also ideal as it will help moisturize the skin. You should moisturize at least twice a day. That’s in the morning and before you go to bed. Moisturizing after bathing and before going to bed can help reduce itching. If you are stuck on which moisturizer to choose, you can speak to a dermatologist.
2. Minimizing itching and scratching
For many people with eczema, itching and burning can be the worst symptoms. So if you can’t resist the urge to scratch your skin, then it’s good to keep your fingernails short so that the scratching doesn’t lead bleeding. Bleeding can lead to infections. That’s why you should never scratch your skin to the point that it starts to bleed.
3. Wear cool, smooth-textured clothing
Avoid wearing clothes that are rough and tight since they may trigger itchiness. You should also ditch dry and scratchy beddings. Wool is known as a trigger for many people with eczema, so you avoid it as well.
4. Learn how your diet plays a role in your eczema
Eczema patients are more likely to have allergic conditions such as hay fever or asthma. This could also be true for specific food allergies. People with eczema are more likely to be sensitive to dairy products, soya, nuts, etc. So you should talk to a dermatologist about this concern. But it’s still crucial to eat a healthy balanced diet. You should also try and identify foods that trigger your eczema and avoid them.
5. Take warm baths
For patients with eczema, it is not advisable to take hot showers baths. Hot water can strip your skin of its moisture, leaving it dry. So whether you are taking a shower or washing your face, use lukewarm water. Do not stay in hot water for too long, too. Dermatologists recommend not taking more than 10 minutes in the shower. Then moisturize when the skin is damp to help the moisturizer penetrate deeper onto the skin and help retain it.
6. Stay away from irritants
Some irritants can irritate the skin triggering eczema. An example of this type of eczema is irritant contact dermatitis. It develops when an individual comes into contact with substances that directly irritate or damage the skin. Such irritants include detergents, bleach, soaps, perfumes, hair products, cold wind, etc. Once you have identified some of these irritants that damage your skin, you can ditch them.
7. Manage stress
Studies have shown that stress can trigger eczema. Stress can worsen eczema symptoms. That’s why you need to find ways to relax and incorporate them into your daily routine. Some of the top practices to manage stress include getting enough sleep, practicing yoga, meditation, etc. All these practices can help reduce your flare-ups.
