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Fighting eczema is a pain, literally and figuratively. The itchy, red, dry, often painful skin associated with the inflammation eczema kicks up can be a nightmare to deal with and frustrating to get rid of. But there are ways to ease the itch, prevent flare ups and get some relief. Alongside your doctor, armed with these 10 tips, you can create a plan to live a life free of itchy, red, dry skin.
Topical Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids can also be used in the treatment and management of eczema symptoms, and they’re widely considered to be very effective. Several classes and strengths of topical corticosteroids are available through a doctor’s prescription. And although some people fear using this type of treatment for children, who are often hit the hardest by eczema, those phobias are frequently blown out of proportion. A study on treating eczema patients with topical corticosteroids showed that 24 percent of people were not compliant in using prescribed corticosteroids because of these fears. But thinning skin, one particularly feared side effect, only occurs very rarely in patients.
Switch Up Your Hygiene Routine
In addition to topical treatments, simple changes in your hygiene routine can provide a good deal of eczema relief. The National Eczema Association recommends shorter, lukewarm baths that won’t irritate your skin like hot water would. Using a gentle cleanser, like Fulom’s Face & Body Cleanser, won’t irritate or dry out skin further. Moisturizing as soon as you get out of the bath or shower is also recommended to prevent moisture loss as your body dries.
Keep An Eye On Triggers
Being mindful of what sets off your eczema can be crucial in its management. There are a host of factors, internal and external, that can trigger eczema symptoms. Stress, sweat, changes in temperature and humidity and allergens can all impact the severity of itching, redness and dry patches. Everybody’s eczema is different and by keeping an eye on how yours reacts you can tailor your treatment to match.
Primrose Oil
Primrose are undeniably beautiful, but they can also be equally appealing in the treatment of eczema. A double blind crossover study published in the Lancet examined the usefulness of the pretty flower in managing eczema symptoms. Various doses of evening primrose oil were given to 99 participants orally. The study determined that “the preparation produced a significant clinical improvement when taken in high dosage” for those suffering from atopic eczema. No side effects were noted.
Topical Fulvic Acid Treatments
Fulvic acid, like the organic fulvic acid found in Fulom skincare products, can be a helpful agent in healing and treating eczema symptoms. In a study on topical, carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid ointments published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, patients were observed to have significant improvements in their eczema. The fulvic acid group fared far better than those receiving a placebo treatment, with the only side effect being a mild, short-lived burning sensation.
Swap Your Laundry Detergent
Just like harsh soaps can strip skin and exacerbate eczema symptoms, harsh laundry detergents can linger in your clothes and do the same. Powerful detergents and/or strong fragrances can aggravate itchy, dry, red skin. Since these agents are so common in cleaning products like laundry detergent, it’s important to do a little research, check the label and choose a detergent and fabric softener that’s marketed as fragrance-free, gentle or hypoallergenic.
Don’t Scratch!
You heard it first when you had the chicken pox or a nasty bug bite, but the same “no scratch” policy applies to eczema. Digging in and getting a good scratch might feel fantastic in the moment, but it’s only going to make matter worse. The name of the game is being gentle when it comes to dealing with eczema. If you’re taking care of yourself, following these tips and running everything past your dermatologist, you’ll soon have no reason to scratch anyway.
Wear Loose Fitting Clothes
Take this as your chance to slip into something a bit more comfortable. Just like scratching and harsh detergents, having tight, itchy clothes pressed against the areas of your body affected by eczema is not going to do you any favors. Instead, choose lightweight, loose, breathable clothes that won’t rub or irritate eczema. Embrace that boho chic style!
Relax
Stress can have a greater impact on skin conditions then you may think. Eczema, along with psoriasis, acne and alopecia, can be triggered or made worse by stress. A study on psoriasis and other skin conditions and their relationship to stress showed that “stress is more likely to be associated with the onset of psoriasis” but that your individual ability to cope could help, which suggests that psychological intervention may be a way of treating stress-related skin conditions.
Talk About It
Eczema is not something you need to take on alone, or even just with your dermatologist. Seeking out people who understand your situation for support can be helpful, both physically and mentally. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology placed 10 adult eczema sufferers into group psychotherapy. The therapy, alongside their course of treatment and behavioral and cognitive interventions with relaxation training, helped ease the physical symptoms of eczema as well. “At the end of treatment, all 10 patients showed significant reduction in targeted symptoms.”
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