Basic Skin Care For Eczema

When you have eczema, there are many natural ways that you can do to protect your skin and to reduce the chance of repeated eczema attacks. Children suffering from atopic eczema will require special care not only to aid their eczema problem but also to lower the risk of future respiratory problems. The first and most important step to assist the natural healing process is to ensure the skin stays healthy and robust so that it can defend and heal itself.

Eczema is a long-term condition and no matter how hard you have tried to avoid a repeat, anything can happen to trigger a flare-up. Do not be despondent over this, just continue to try your best to minimize the risk as much as you can.

Basic skin care and protection

• Moisture creams

Those who has dry, chapped, cracked or broken skin is particularly at risk from eczema. Even between eczema attacks, special attention and care needs to taken on the skin.

Moisture cream can help in preventing dryness, not by adding fluid but by preventing existing moisture from escaping. The right timing to apply the cream is immediately after washing and while the skin is still slightly damp, especially during windy, cold or sunny weather.

• Hand creams

Hand creams are equally important too as it can help in soothing, moisturizing and preventing dryness. A hand cream either in cream or ointment form can help offer extra protection. It is not necessary to spend money buying expensive products that makes extravagant claims. Simple inexpensive hand creams works just as effectively.

• Soap

Never ever use soap especially if on very dry skin as soap can make the condition worse. Substitute with an emollient aqueous cream such as an emollient bath additive or a water softener which can help in reducing the amount of soap required for washing.

• Sunlight

Gentle exposure to sunlight can also help however try avoiding extremes of temperature as sweaty conditions can make eczema worse.

• Clothing

Avoid clothing that are too tight and also clothing made of synthetic fabrics especially for underwears.

• Bath

Soaking in the bath should be limited to less than 15 minutes as immersing in water for too long can cause dry and cracked skin. While bathing, avoid using scouring pads and abrasive cleaners.

• Gloves

If there is a need to perform any wet work, handle potentially irritant substances or use abrasives, make sure to apply a good barrier cream on your hands then make sure gloves are always worn so as to form a partial shield against irritants and water as well as making the skin easier to clean. The best types of gloves to wear should either be made of cotton or PVC lined with cotton. Never use rubber gloves s it can make the skin soggy and vulnerable if it is worn for long periods so it is advisable to wear absorbent cotton gloves underneath to minimize sweating.

Things you must not do:

• Do not scratch
• Never burst any blisters to avoid the risk of getting infection
• Do not use unnecessary products such as bubble-bath which can dry the skin. Bath oils are okay though.
• Do not ever put disinfectant in the bath
• Never over-wash until the skin becomes dry
• Do not use over-the-counter eye-drops for allergies to eye-makeup
• Never dye hair or eyelashes as permanent products can cause long-lasting reactions.