Eczema is a medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with blisters that cause itching and bleeding, sometimes resulting from a reaction to irritation (eczematous dermatitis) but more typically having no obvious external cause.
There are still some tips which you can use to get on well with eczema.
1. Be aware of your environment – not too hot or cold
The cold dry frigid weather outside really sucks moisture from the skin but it’s not the only culprit. Dry indoor heating is even worse, especially since you spend most of your day inside. It’s important to add moisture back into the air with a humidifier. Put one in your bedroom at night. It’s great for the sinuses and leaves your skin feeling moist.
2. Identify your eczema triggers
Washing detergents, fragranced body washes, dust mites, pollen, stress and even really dry skin can cause eczema to flare-up. Be observant and try to identify what could lead to a flare-up and avoid if possible.
3. Overhaul your shower routine - get rid of fragranced body washes & soaps
Most body washes are filled with fragrances and harsh sulphates which can actually strip the natural lipids from your skin, allowing allergens and irritants in which can trigger a flare-up. Look for body washes that use gentler coconut based cleansers and use emollient oils. A natural body wash will gently clean the skin and help replenish the natural lipids in the skin barrier.
4. Fortify your skin barrier by increasing your moisturisation game
A normal skin barrier is like a perfectly layered brick wall, with skin cells being the bricks and the lipids, act as the mortar. A weak skin barrier is missing some of the lipids or mortar and lets water out and irritants in which can trigger irritation and inflammation. Find a natural daily moisturiser that has both emollient oils and humectants to most effectively strengthen the skin barrier. Emollient oils like jojoba, sunflower and coconut oil are all great natural moisturizers and aloe vera is a great humectant that pulls moisture into the skin. Together these ingredients work together to lock in moisture and help strengthen the skin barrier. In addition to moisturising – drink plenty of water too.
5. Try not to scratch
There is nothing worse than itchy skin and although scratching gives short immediate relief it can cause the flare-up to get worse. Oat and sweet almond oil are two of Mother Nature’s clinically proven ingredient to soothe that itch – so look for a daily lotion that uses these ingredients as well as a lot of emollient oils. Another trick is to wear cotton gloves to bed and use an antihistamine as well to help stop the itch-scratch cycle.
6. Give your hands extra TLC
Don’t forget your hands – we often abuse this part of our body the most. Constant hand washing can really deplete the skin of its natural lipids. Keep your hands protected by wearing gloves in the winter and using a clinically proven hand cream that can last through hand washing.
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