If you have eczema or are the parent of a child who does, then you know how annoying and uncomfortable this condition can be. And while it’s not exactly life-threatening, it can be extremely itchy and unsightly.
When the rash appears, it can throw an automatic damper on your self-confidence. After all, you can’t be at your best when you know you’ve got unsightly red patches and the urge to itch and scratch almost constantly.
Eczema can make its appearance in childhood and can often be traced to one’s parents or grandparents because it’s a form of inherited allergy. As there is no definite cure for the condition, one of the best ways to deal with eczema is to practice the proper skin care.
Proper skin care for people with eczema begins with prevention.
Since it’s an allergic reaction, you have to find out what it is that you’re allergic too. It can be anything from dust to pet hair or even food. If food is the culprit, you can try eliminating suspect foods from your diet – nuts, dairy, seafood and eggs are some of the more common allergy-inducing food items.
Sometimes, the attack can be due to chemicals in the air or from household cleaners and detergents. Since many people get eczema on their hands, preventive skin care includes protecting your hands when you’re doing work that may get your skin in contact with chemicals or harsh substances.
This means it’s a good idea to put on gloves when you’re doing the laundry, cleaning the house or working in the garden. It also helps to resist the urge to scratch, even if the itch is driving you crazy. Scratching too much can break the skin and lead to infections which will only make your condition worse.
Minimize Stress
It may sound strange, but avoiding stress can also minimize breakouts, since allergies are linked to a hyperactive immune system and the immune system is severely affected by stress.
Finally, you should moisturize to keep the symptoms under control. A hypoallergenic moisturizer like Cetaphil or Eucerin as part of your skin care routine can work wonders in alleviating your symptoms. Avoiding things like men’s fragrances and other perfumes is a preventative measure as well.
Some herbal remedies have also been included in skin care regimens for eczema sufferers, including the herb Oregon grape and Argan Oil. You might also try tea tree oil or virgin coconut oil, both of which have soothing, moisturizing properties besides having the capacity to heal many kinds of rashes and itches on the skin.