Controlling Eczema By Moisturizing
Keeping your skins moisture intact is one of the most important things you can do to help control your eczema.
Moisturizers helps protect the outermost layer of skin known as the stratum corneum or skin barrier. People living with eczema have a damaged skin barrier, which makes their skin more sensitive to irritants, allergens, bacteria and other invaders. A damaged skin barrier also make it harder for the skin to retain water, leading to chronic dry, itchy skin, which can cause eczema to flare or get worse.
Wind, low humidity, cold temperatures, harsh soaps and prolonged exposure to water, all lead to dry skin. So, its important to understand how and when to properly moisturize and which products are best to use when you have eczema.
Some things to remember when moisturizing:
Topical Steroids For Eczema
In this series
Topical steroids are medicated creams that are put on the skin. They are used in addition to moisturisers for treating eczema. Topical steroids reduce skin inflammation. A short course will usually clear a flare-up of eczema. Side-effects are unlikely to occur with short courses.
In this article
Theyre A Temporary Fix
Well kick off with the biggest problem: these creams only suppress the symptoms of your eczema temporarily. This means that once you stop using steroidal creams or corticosteroids, your symptoms will start returning, often worse than they were before and even more widespread. So the longer you use the cream, the more reliant youll become on it, and the more youll have to pay as the retail price of your prescription increases.
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Ideas For Controlling Eczema
Along with our homemade eczema cream here are a few things weve done to help control her eczema:
- Cutting down on bath frequency
- Putting her on a dairy-free diet
- Making our own mild laundry detergent
- Having her sleep in long pants to minimize nighttime scratching
- Keeping her skin moisturized
To keep her skin moisturized, we have tried nearly every lotion we could find. Even with all the products weve used, Ive never found an eczema cream that did anything but give her slightly softer eczema. Many store-bought eczema creams are petroleum-based, anyway, which means theyre not environmentally friendly and not as good for skin as their marketing claims. There are greener products available, but Ive never found them particularly effective, either.
This year Ive given up on store-bought brands and am making my own homemade eczema cream for her. Im able to use natural, plant-based ingredients and have a more effective lotion, too.
Some People Use Too Little
A common mistake is to be too cautious about topical steroids. Some parents undertreat their children’s eczema because of an unfounded fear of topical steroids. They may not apply the steroid as often as prescribed, or at the strength needed to clear the flare-up. This may actually lead to using more steroid in the long term, as the inflamed skin may never completely clear. So, you may end up applying a topical steroid on and off for quite some time. The child may be distressed or uncomfortable for this period if the inflammation does not clear properly. A flare-up is more likely to clear fully if topical steroids are used correctly.
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Wild Naturals Eczema And Psoriasis Cream
This cream from Wild Naturals is specifically formulated for eczema and psoriasis relief. It stops itching and pain in an instant and promotes repair of damaged cells. This cream uses organic aloe vera as its first ingredient, for an effective anti-inflammatory effect that penetrates the skin quickly and soothes itchy, inflamed, flaky and cracked skin.
Moreover, it uses a medical grade honey called manuka honey which is a powerful moisturizer packed with a unique blend of amino acid, minerals and vitamins, and unmatched healing properties. This cream also has a 15-in-1 formula which is perfectly balanced at 5.5 so that it is easily absorbed by the skin and has a non-greasy, light feeling.
Era Organics Best Eczema Cream For Face
Era organics has designed a super food for your skin, jam-packed with the vitamins, minerals and amino acids that your skin needs to provide relief from your eczema. They guarantee that their cream will heal and cure your dry, cracked, scaly, painful and itchy skin and that they have 100% customer satisfaction, if you are not completely satisfied, they will refund your money, no questions asked.
Their cream contains wholesome ingredients such as organic Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil and much more. They use the best ingredients to give you the best eczema cream . Their non-toxic, hypoallergenic creams are quickly absorbed into your skin and are safe to use all over your body, wherever you are having an eczema flare-up. It helps repair damaged skin and prevents future flare-ups and is safe for all ages.
Pros:
- Made in the USA and comes with a 60-day money back guarantee, with no questions asked.
- It has a light, non-greasy formula that is quickly absorbed into your skin, meaning no sticky feeling skin or oily marks left on your clothes.
- It is hypoallergenic and contains no alcohol that can dry out the skin more. It can be used on mild to severe cases of eczema and in less than 24 hours, you can expect to see results.
- This cream is moderately priced and a small dab can go a long way.
Cons:
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Some People Use Too Much
Only use topical steroids for eczema as directed by your doctor. Some people continue to use topical steroids each day in the long term after the eczema has cleared to ‘keep the eczema away’. This is not normally needed. Some people with severe eczema may require continuous steroid treatment. However, this should be under the close supervision of a doctor. All people with eczema should use moisturisers every day to help prevent further flare-ups of eczema.
Tips On Choosing A Moisturizer
Finding a moisturizer that works can be a challenge. What works for one person may not work for another. As the condition of your skin changes so can the effectiveness of a product. A manufacturer may also change the formulation of a product from one year to the next. The best eczema lotion, cream or moisturizer is the one that works for you.
Take the following steps when introducing a new product to your skin:
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Eczema: How To Treat Winter Flare Ups
Dry skin that is itchy and sensitive may sound normal. Whether it is due to a drastic weather change, like winter, or simply forgetting to put on your lotion, this itch may seem minute. However, many people experience these dry, itchy patches of the skin that can be embarrassing and painful called atopic dermatitis, or commonly called eczema. Eczema is a skin condition that affects approximately 35 million Americans. Sixteen percent of these affected people are African Americans, per a US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health study. Eczema on black skin can also be different than on the skin of other races.
Knowing your triggers of eczema is crucial. These triggers commonly are the use of products, food allergies, and stress. Everyday products, even those that are natural, can irritate the skin. These can include hand soaps, laundry detergents, body washes, shampoos, and cleaning products. Per the National Eczema Association, other common irritants include: metals, cigarette smoke, fragrances, specific fabrics, and formaldehyde .
The body reacts to stress in the same way. If it is stress for work, classes, relationships, other personal situations, or being worried about their eczema, the body will react to it. Harsh weather conditions, like winter, can also stress the skin. Avoiding these triggers will play a large role in controlling flare ups.
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How Should Eczema Cream Be Used
Different eczema creams are used in different ways. How and when you apply your eczema cream will depend upon whether youre going through a flare-up, how bad your symptoms are, and where on your body the affected areas are.
If youre not going through a flare-up of symptoms, or if your eczema is very mild, you should simply use emollients. Emollients should be used every day at least twice, but ideally more often, especially if you have very dry skin. You should use a large amount and apply it all over your skin, smoothing it in the same direction your hair grows.
If you are experiencing a flare-up, you should use emollients and topical corticosteroids. Apply a layer of emollient first, wait for it to soak into the skin, and then use your corticosteroid cream or lotion. This should be applied only to the affected areas, as directed in the products patient information leaflet. Typically, you will have to apply corticosteroids once or twice a day.
Other things to consider include the following:
You should always speak to a pharmacist or doctor before you start using eczema creams, to make sure youre using the right kind at the right strength.
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Who Gets Atopic Dermatitis
Approximately 230 million people around the world have atopic dermatitis and the lifetime prevalence is > 15% especially in wealthier countries. It typically affects people with an atopic tendency clustering with hay fever, asthma, and food allergies. All races can be affected some races are more susceptible to developing atopic dermatitis, and genetic studies are showing marked diversity of the conditions extent between populations.
Atopic dermatitis usually starts in infancy, affecting up to 20% of children. Approximately 80% of children affected develop it before the age of 6 years. All ages can be affected. Although it can settle in late childhood and adolescence, the prevalence in young adults up to 26 years of age is still 515%.
Atopic dermatitis
Your Final Product: Homemade Excema Cream
When youre finished with your homemade eczema cream, you should have a soft, creamy lotion that smells of lavender and shea butter. It will also look exactly like buttercream frosting, but wont taste nearly as good on cupcakes.
I hope this homemade eczema cream works as well for you as it has for us!
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Lastly A Special Note About Scrubs:
Although scrubs may be a seemingly obvious fix for sloughing off dead skin, avoid using scrubs on skin with active eczema. A scrub by definition would likely be really irritating for skin affected by eczema. However, if the granules are soft , and if the base of the product is heavier and more ointment-like, then water may be trapped in the skin , and the hydration may soothe the eczema.
How To Choose The Best Eczema Cream
When choosing an eczema cream, look for a cream that says it is hypoallergenic. Creams that say that they are all natural are not a guarantee that they are hypoallergenic they could contain ingredients that aggravate your eczema.
Look for creams that contain glycerin, mineral oil and oatmeal, as they are all soothing ingredients. Choose creams that are thick and have to be applied by your hand because they will have a higher oil to water ratio.
Avoid creams that contain artificial scents, fragrance, hydroxyl acid and retinol, as they will dry out skin causing an eczema flare-up. Also, if you have time you can have a soak in your tub with oatmeal to soothe your inflamed and sore skin.
DermatologistsÄô most recommended creams for eczema
Nobody enjoys having an eczema flare-up as it causes dry, rough and inflamed patches of skin to pop up all over, sometimes even on your face.
To help keep your eczema under control, here are 5 creams that keep your eczema under control even in the driest climate.
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Can You Prevent Eczema
Currently, theres no way to prevent developing eczema. However, if you have eczema, there are steps that you can take in your daily life to help reduce the risk of having a flare-up.
- Avoid triggers. Try to avoid the things that cause your flare-ups. These can be different for every individual but can include things like soaps, fragrances, or stress.
- Moisturize frequently. Use a fragrance-free lotion, cream, or ointment to add moisture to your skin. Good times to moisturize include right after showering and anytime your skin feels dry.
- Choose products carefully. Some soaps, detergents, and skin care products can irritate the skin and cause a flare-up. Focus on using fragrance-free products. Try to test them on a small area of skin before using them on larger areas.
- Change your shower routine. Try to limit the length of showers to about 10 to 15 minutes total, using water thats warm but not hot. When youre done showering, gently pat yourself dry with a clean towel and moisturize.
- Mind the temperature. Remember that some conditions can increase the risk of a flare-up. For example, colder temperatures can lead to drier skin that may require additional moisturizing.
- Clothe carefully. Aim to wear loose-fitting, breathable clothes while avoiding tight-fitting garments. Additionally, wash any new clothes prior to wearing them for the first time.
Consume The Right Vitamins
The following vitamins and minerals are particularly beneficial for eczema. Try to get them by eating a nutritious diet.
- Zinc: Seafood, lean red meat, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds
- Vitamin C: Brightly colored fruits and vegetables and rosehip
- Vitamin E: Sunflower seeds, pine nuts, almonds, dried apricots, avocado
- Vitamin D: Best absorbed from sunlight in the summer months , and a D supplement in the winter months.
- Flavonoids: Emerging research suggests that flavonoids can help to rebalance the immune system, therefore, being helpful for those with eczema.
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Why Are Black People So Prone To The Disease
It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact reason, but Dr. Okereke believes that it has to do with darker skin naturally being more prone to dryness.
“I think ceramides play a large role here,” she explains. “Ceramides are fat-derived structures in the skin that help create a barrier to lock in moisture in the skin therefore preventing dryness and irritation. Darker skin tones have lower ceramide levels, thus leaving us with drier skin that is more susceptible to environmental triggers, such as pollutants that can ultimately cause eczema.”
That said, regardless whether you’ve been diagnosed with eczema or not, using a daily lotion rich in ceramides is key to keeping the skin balanced.
We’re fans of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, which includes three essential ceramides, as well as hyaluronic acid in the tried-and-true formula.
Why Do People Get Eczema
Your skin serves as an important protective barrier between your environment and the rest of your body. People with eczema have changes associated with this skin barrier.
An important function of the skin is to retain moisture. Individuals with eczema tend to have a leakier skin barrier, which allows water to escape more easily. This leads to drier skin thats easily affected by things like climate and irritants.
An overreaction of the immune system also plays a role in eczema. Because of this, coming into contact with common irritants in your environment can easily activate the immune system, leading to a flare-up.
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Best Hand Creams For Eczema
If you experience eczema, then youll want to look for a cream thats sensitive enough for your skin but still gives you top-notch moisturizing qualities.
Cetaphil Pro Eczema Soothing Moisturizer
This is a great lotion for many patients, particularly those with normal to dry skin, says Campbell.
Vaseline Advance Repair Fragrance-Free Hand and Body Lotion
This lotion repairs dry skin with microdroplets of Vaseline Jelly that lock in moisture. It was awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, which helps individuals recognize products that are suitable for care of eczema or sensitive skin.
A Quick Note From Our Founder
I dont often align myself with products but this is one that I just had to share!
Some of you may already know years ago, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
I can still recall what it felt like to have my life change overnight
I went from an Executive Director of a non-profit organization, running marathons, rock climbing, hiking canyons and kayaking to being completely bedridden and staring at a wall for 15 hours a day.
Of course, I went to see many doctors but unfortunately I didnt find the help I needed. So, I had to set off on my own journey to learn my true path to healing.
Id pretty much turned-over every rock trying to find relief for my pain, sleep issues and myriad of other symptoms
Fast-forward 18 years.
I was determined to climb one of the true wonders of the natural world, Machu Picchu, the mystical home of the Incas in Peru.
It was there, after a grueling day when my feet, knees, legs, and lower back hurt so bad, that I thought I would have to abandon hopes of our next climb which was Rainbow Mountain! That night I pulled out a little spray bottle of aceite de magnesio that a friend had given me before I left on my trip.
What the heck, I thought. I was desperate. And I applied it all over my body before bed.
Because of the grueling day, I woke up expecting to be immobilized, but instead we were off to climb Rainbow Mountain andI was totally pain-free!
I know it sounds impossible, but its 1000% the truth.
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