Practice Good Bath And Shower Etiquette
Take warm baths or showers and keep them short. Long, hot showers can dry out your skin, making it more prone to flare-ups. Use unscented bath products, and not too much of them. When youre done, use a soft towel to pat yourself dry. Dont rub. Slather moisturizer on your skin immediately after a shower, while your skin is still damp, to help your skin best absorb the moisture and lock it on.
Medical Treatment For Eczema
Eczema cant be cured. But it can be managed by preventing and treating flare-ups as soon as they appear.
If your childs skin is inflamed and itchy, theyll probably need some corticosteroid ointment or cream. For mild eczema, you can buy mild corticosteroids over the counter at your pharmacy. The most common is hydrocortisone 1% cream. For more serious eczema or if the over-the-counter products arent working, youll need to see your GP to get a prescription for a stronger corticosteroid.
Other eczema treatments include pimecrolimus, a non-steroidal cream. Doctors might prescribe this cream for children with mild to moderate eczema on the face and in body folds.
If your child is scratching at a rash, you could ask your pharmacist or GP about using an antihistamine medication for a few days. Together with a corticosteroid cream, this might give your child some rest and help the flare-up to settle.
If your childs eczema rash gets infected, your doctor will prescribe a course of oral antibiotics.
Does My Child Have Eczema
Eczema can look different at different ages:
- Babies usually have a rash on their face and neck which may weep and crust.
- Children often have a dry rash, characteristically in the creases of knees and elbows, around the mouth, neck, wrists and ankles.
- From age 12, the it may be more widespread and severe.
When the skin is red, dry and itchy, it is known as a flare-up. It is common for the severity of eczema to change, sometimes it is very mild and other times it gets worse. Between flare-ups, people with eczema tend to have dry sensitive skin.
See your doctor to diagnose your childs rash, as other skin conditions can look similar to eczema. Your doctor will examine the rash, ask you about how and when it began, and ask whether other family members have noticed a similar rash. This is because while not contagious, eczema may have a genetic basis and does tend to run in families. A child with eczema often has one or more relative with eczema or a related condition, such as asthma, hay fever or allergic conjunctivitis.
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Emollients For Washing And Bath/shower Equipment
Soaps, shower gels and bubble baths can dry out the skin. Its best to use an emollient soap substitute or a cream-based leave-on emollient as a soap substitute.
Your GP may refer you to the Community Occupational Therapy Service if you need special bath/shower equipment for safety or if you have difficulty getting in or out of the bath/shower. They can fit a bath seat, grab-rails, a seat in the shower or an alarm if you get into difficulties.
Bath emollients make the shower tray and bath more slippery. Use non-slip bath mats to help reduce the risk of slipping. Support bars fixed to the wall in the shower or by the bath will provide extra safety when showering/bathing. Pour bath emollient into the bath after you get in rather than before. As an extra precaution its a good idea to empty out bath water before getting out of the bath. Be careful not to knock your legs, as this could lead to ulcers. Use a bandage or pad under support stockings for extra protection.
For more detailed information on emollients for moisturising and washing, please download our Emollients factsheet.
Different Stages Of Eczema
A persons eczema can present in various stages, including:
- acute: This may be the first time a person notices eczema symptoms, which can present as a rash that starts to itch.
- subacute: This refers to when the condition is between the acute and chronic stages. Itching may reduce, but the skin can appear flaky, cracked, or red.
- chronic: In this stage, the eczema symptoms may last for several months or longer. Itching can be intense, while rashes may cover a larger area of the skin.
There are different kinds of eczema. Here we look briefly at each type.
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Q : What Triggers Should Be Avoided
People with eczema should avoid known triggers and irritants, which may include:
- Dry skin – this is one of the main triggers of eczema.
- Scratching – keep fingernails clipped .
- Viral or bacterial infections.
- Playing in sand, such as sandpits.
- Sitting directly on carpets or grass.
- Inhaling pollen allergens from grasses, weeds or trees in spring and summer.
- Irritants such as perfumes, soap and chemicals.
- Contact with animals, house dust mite allergen, wool and synthetic fabrics.
- Temperature changes, such as overly heated rooms.
- Stress, which can make eczema worse, although eczema is not a psychological condition.
- Constant exposure to water or chemicals, which can damage the protective barrier function of the skin.
How To Prevent Eczema Flare
The best way to prevent eczema flare-ups is to become familiar with your personal triggers so you can avoid any products, foods, or conditions that may cause eczema symptoms to flare up.
Some general tips include using mild, unscented soaps and developing a consistent bathing and moisturizing schedule.
Use moisturizers that work for you, especially on eczema-prone skin and areas of the body. For best results for long-term eczema, be sure to always use medications as prescribed.
When the weather changes and the air becomes more dry and cold, it can also be helpful to wear gloves to keep skin moisturized and prevent flare-ups.
Another good way to combat eczema flare-ups is to address stress, which is a common trigger.
Some wellness practices and systems, including yoga, Ayurveda, and meditation, have been shown to help manage emotional stress, as well as the nervous system in general.
Acupressure and massage can also help relieve symptoms and keep the general nervous system in check and inflammation at bay.
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Living With Eczema And Atopic Dermatitis
Eczema can flare up when you are under stress. Learn how to recognize and cope with stress. Stress reduction techniques can help. Changing your activities to reduce daily stress can also be helpful.
The area where you had the eczema may easily get irritated again, so it needs special care. Continue to follow the tips provided here even after your skin has healed.
How Common Is Eczema
Eczema affects up to 15 million Americans. Infants are prone to eczema and 10% to 20% will have it. However, nearly half outgrow the condition or have significant improvement as they get older.
Eczema affects males and females equally and is more common in people who have a personal or family history of asthma, environmental allergies and/or food allergies.
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How Long Do Eczema Rashes Last
Dealing with rashes and eczema can be very frustrating and difficult. The dryness, itching, and other unpleasant symptoms can sometimes feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you can reduce your symptoms and improve your comfort levels by getting help from Dr. Ronald Jurzyk at Advanced Dermatology Center in Wolcott, CT.
Q : How Is Eczema Related To Food Allergy
Whilst food allergy can trigger or worsen eczema symptoms in some people, food allergy is rarely the cause of eczema. Most food allergy causes hives , vomiting and irritability within 30 minutes of eating the offending food. Food allergy only occasionally triggers delayed eczema flare ups.
Many babies with moderate or severe eczema will also have a food allergy. In some babies with severe eczema, short term removal of certain food/s using a medically supervised elimination diet may result in better eczema control. An elimination diet should be supervised by a clinical immunology/allergy specialist , in association with a dietitian with specialised knowledge of food allergies.
If there is no improvement in two weeks on the elimination diet, it means that food is unlikely to be the cause of the eczema. If the skin improves, foods are introduced one at a time as a medically supervised food challenge, to confirm which food causes the eczema to flare.
If food allergy is not the cause of eczema, removal of the food/s will not reduce symptoms.
Children with eczema and/or food allergy can have false positive allergy tests, and this can lead to unnecessary removal of foods which may affect growth and development. Removal of foods may also increase the risk of developing allergy to those foods. Therefore, allergy test results should always be interpreted by a clinical immunology/allergy specialist.
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Treatment Of Facial Eczema
Eczema on the face requires careful treatment as facial skin is more easily irritated by and vulnerable to the side effects of topical therapy. It is important to consider the possibility of an allergic contact dermatitis in anyone with a persistent facial eczema, even if they have a longstanding, in-built eczema tendency. It is helpful to make a diagnosis of which particular type of facial eczema someone has in order to know which treatment is likely to work best, and to help give an idea of the expected outcome usually, as eczema is a chronic condition, controlling facial eczema and preventing flares will be the main focus of treatment.
In general, treatment of facial eczema involves avoiding further irritation caused by cosmetics and toiletries, switching to a gentle regimen of skin cleansing, and actively treating the eczema with emollients and anti-inflammatory therapy .
Symptoms Of Discoid Eczema
Discoid eczema causes distinctive circular or oval patches of eczema. It can affect any part of the body, although it does not usually affect the face or scalp.
The first sign of discoid eczema is usually a group of small spots or bumps on the skin. These then quickly join up to form larger patches that can range from a few millimetres to several centimetres in size.
On lighter skin these patches will be pink or red. On darker skin these patches can be a dark brown or they can be paler than the skin around them.
Initially, these patches are often swollen, blistered and ooze fluid. They also tend to be very itchy, particularly at night.
Over time, the patches may become dry, crusty, cracked and flaky. The centre of the patch also sometimes clears, leaving a ring of discoloured skin that can be mistaken for ringworm.
You may just have 1 patch of discoid eczema, but most people get several patches. The skin between the patches is often dry.
Patches of discoid eczema can sometimes become infected. Signs of an infection can include:
- the patches oozing a lot of fluid
- a yellow crust developing over the patches
- the skin around the patches becoming hot, swollen and tender or painful
- feeling sick
- feeling unwell
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Eczema Coping Tips Reducing Skin Irritation
People with eczema have sensitive skin. Irritants such as heat or detergents can easily trigger a bout of eczema.Suggestions for reducing skin irritation include:
- Avoid overheating your skin. Wear several layers of clothing that you can remove, as required, instead of one heavy layer. Dont put too many blankets on your bed and avoid doonas.
- Dont use perfumed bubble bath or bath products labelled medicated.
- Wear soft, smooth materials next to your skin, preferably 100% cotton. Avoid scratchy materials, such as pure wool, polyester or acrylic. You could try a cotton and synthetic mix material this is fine for some people with eczema. Remove labels from clothing.
- Always wear protective gloves when using any type of chemical or detergent. You may want to wear cotton gloves inside rubber or PVC gloves.
- Avoid chlorinated pools. If you have to swim in a chlorinated pool, moisturise your skin well when you get out.
Eczema Coping Tips Avoid Changes In Temperature
Abrupt temperature and humidity changes can sometimes irritate the skin for example, going in and out of air-conditioned buildings on hot days or heated buildings on cold days.Hard physical activity or exercise that makes you sweat heavily can also trigger the itch of eczema.Suggestions include:
- In winter, dont overheat your house. Dress warmly when going outdoors and remove the extra layers as soon as you return.
- In summer, dont over cool your house. Air conditioners can dry out the air and irritate your skin.
- Avoid hard physical activity in hot weather. For example, do your gardening first thing in the morning, or in the evening when the sun is lower in the sky.
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Ultraviolet Radiation Therapy For Eczema
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation can help reduce the symptoms of chronic eczema. Exposure under medical supervision can be carefully monitored with the use of specially designed cabinets the person stands naked in the cabinet and fluorescent tubes emit ultraviolet radiation.A person with stubborn eczema may need up to 30 sessions. The risks of unsupervised ultraviolet radiation therapy can be the same as for sunbathing faster ageing of the skin and greater risk of skin cancer.
How Long Will An Eczema Flare
How long a specific eczema flare-up will last depends on the type of eczema, its severity, and the health of the skin and its microbiome.
When experiencing atopic dermatitis, the general form of eczema most of us are more familiar with, your flare-ups may last longer than some other forms of eczema. Thats because the underlying cause of atopic dermatitis is mostly unknown. It could be a result of genetics, an imbalance in the skin microbiome, inflammation, immune system malfunction, or other factors.These complicated underlying causes can make atopic dermatitis difficult to understand and manage.
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When To See Your Doctor
Contact your doctor if eczema symptoms are serious enough to interfere with sleep and daily life or if they persist after home treatments. See your doctor right away about a skin infection, especially if you also have a fever. Red streaks, yellow scabs, and pus could all be signs of infection.
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American Academy of Dermatology: âDifferent kinds of eczema,â âWhat is eczema?â
National Eczema Society: âTopical Steroids,â âWhat is Eczema?â
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: âWhat Is Atopic Dermatitis?â
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: âAntihistamines,â âEczema.â
National Eczema Association: âItching for relief.â
British Journal of Dermatology: âThe effect of environmental tobacco smoke on eczema and allergic sensitization in children.â
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Q : How Can Skin Be Maintained And Protected Every Day
It is important to keep skin that is prone to eczema well moisturised every day:
- Moisturisers add moisture and form a barrier that protects the skin, so that it retains moisture. If the protective barrier of skin is damaged eczema frequently develops.
- Apply non-perfumed moisturiser to the face and body twice every day.
- Avoid moisturisers containing food proteins such as goat milk, wheatgerm and nut oils.
- After a bath or shower in lukewarm water, pat the skin dry and apply moisturiser.
- Use non-soap based wash or oil and avoid soap and bubbly products which dry out the skin.
- After swimming , rinse and apply moisturiser.
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Keep Your Skin Hydrated
Due to reduced barrier function, eczema causes water loss and makes it difficult for your skin to remain hydrated. While you shouldnt over-moisturize your skin, its important to keep your skin hydrated. Moisturizing your skin should be a part of your daily regimen. It plays a key role in keeping your skin healthy and preventing flare-ups.
Q : How Can Itch Be Controlled
The following actions may reduce itch, to help control the scratch and itch cycle of eczema:
- Keep skin well moisturised every day.
- Use cold compresses and wet dressings/wraps, as directed.
- Consider using non-sedating antihistamines, especially if there are hives . Sedating antihistamines are generally not recommended and should not be used in young children without specialist supervision.
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A Frustrating Skin Issue
Since your skin is unique, your flare-ups may take a longer or shorter amount of time to resolve than other peoples skin problems. That said, some Eczema rashes may improve within a couple of weeks. Alternatively, more serious flare-ups may not resolve on their own. To fix this type of skin issue, you will need to receive professional medical treatment.
Your flare-ups can prevent you from enjoying your usual activities and make you feel unhappy about how you look. Receiving medical help can be a good way to decrease the length and frequency of your flare-ups and help your skin heal in a quicker, more efficient fashion.
Improvement In The Duration Of Eczema
Some experts believe that the gut barrier improves as a child age. Thus, there is less entry of foods that cause an allergic reaction. Some think that the gut bacteria normalize after some time, or the immune system matures, making it more discerning about what is an enemy to the skin.
For anyone struggling with eczema, a trip to the dermatologist is critical. If symptoms are adverse, it is essential to calm inflammation and stop the itch-scratch cycle. Medications can help, as can moisturizing the skin and avoiding soaps and detergents with fragrances.
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