The facts about eczema

Eczema refers to several inflamed skin conditions which are not contagious and can affect anyone at any time. Somewhere between ten and twenty percent of people experience eczema as children, but in most cases the disorder disappears with age.

It most commonly presents as dry, red, patches of skin that itch severely. In severe cases, the skin may crack and bleed or bubble and ooze. Healing can take a long time. The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but it’s believed to be the immune system overreacting to irritating substances. Fortunately, this means that if you can determine the source of irritation and avoid it, the eczema will (in many cases) go away.

While you’re trying to figure out what’s triggering the eczema episodes, the best thing to do is prevent scratching. Moisturize immediately after bathing. Additionally, Caladryl can be very soothing; also, it will dry “weeping” sores. Some individuals find more relief from corticosteroid creams. Antihistamines can be helpful with itching, too.

It’s not easy to find what’s triggering eczema. You may need to undergo allergy testing, or your doctor may advise keeping a journal in which you list your activities during the day and then your outbreaks to see if a pattern can be found. If you’re aware of any family allergies to certain products or substances, that might form a starting point for self-testing, in which you avoid certain products or substances for a while and see whether or not you have breakouts. If not, you’ve hopefully found your trigger and can avoid it in the future.

If you’re really having trouble figuring out what triggers your eczema, there are some common triggers you can try avoiding. Wear cotton and use cotton linens; avoid synthetics which don’t allow the skin to breathe as well as cotton, and wool which can irritate sensitive skin. Use “natural” laundry detergents rather than the synthetics; you may need to seek out a health food store to find “natural” detergents. Fabric softeners can also make eczema sufferers itch more, so avoiding it may be necessary. Regular dusting and vacuuming may reduce contact with dust mites and their droppings (common allergens), as might changing your bedding regularly. Curtains also attract a lot of dust, so wash them regularly, or replace them with blinds that can be dusted frequently.

Some people find relief by avoiding certain foods, even though it has not been proven that eczema can be the result of food sensitivities. Consult your doctor before eliminating certain foods you suspect of causing allergies; you must make sure you’re replacing the nutrient content of that food with something else in your diet.

When purchasing lotions and soaps, you may think organic and all-natural products are best. But some dermatologists recommend choosing the products with the fewest ingredients, whatever those ingredients may be. If your skin is very sensitive, exposing it to fewer ingredients minimizes your chances of developing new sensitivities.

Stress can also be a factor in eczema. While getting rid of stress is impossible – even children, who are constantly confronting new and uncertain experiences – you can try to relax. Find activities that make you forget about stress and engage in them. Or take a couple of minutes to breathe very deeply, pulling in as much air as you can and also forcing out as much as possible. This oxygenates the blood and gives you a feeling of energy, reducing stress at least for the moment.