No Matter Where You Have Eczema
Theres a universal rule for atopic dermatitis in any location: Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! When you have eczema, your skin barrier is damaged, leaving skin drier and more vulnerable to baddies like allergens and irritants. Frequent hydrating can reinforce the barrier, helping to prevent moisture loss and decrease itchiness, says Marisa Garshick, M.D., a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City.
A thick ointment can help repair skin on any body part and also protect against external factors, says Dr. Garshick. Slick it on right after showering, when skin is slightly damp, so it will penetrate deeply. And dont skimp! More = smoother skin and, ideally, fewer future flares. Hence, feel free to use such an ointment anytime, even when youre not in the middle of an episode.
When Vaseline Is Bad For Eczema
Vaseline is bad for eczema if youre experiencing the 2nd type of eczema I described. The problem with eczema is that it likes to breathe. Once you apply Vaseline your skin has a seal over it. It isnt breathable and can actually suffocate pores.
Vaseline can also be difficult to clean from skin . If Im experiencing an eczema outbreak or a general worsening of eczema, Ill never apply Vaseline.
Ill wait for it to calm down hopefully, a few weeks and once it is dry and not red I feel its safe to use Vaseline. There are a few other reasons I wont use Vaseline for my eczema. These include:
- Oil can stain pillows and sheets
- Can stain clothes
- Gives off an unnatural shiny appearance if used on the face
- If eczema is itchy my hands will spread the oil to other places
- If Ill be showering/bathing within a few hours
The Great Vaseline Debate
Petroleum jelly is a common item found in the medicine cabinet, and for good reason. The product is gentle, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic and is commonly used to protect minor cuts, scrapes, and burns and to protect skin from windburn and chapping. Most people know petroleum jelly by the brand name Vaseline.
Do you struggle with dry, itchy skin in the winter? Find relief with tips from Surviving Winter Itch. Be sure to enter the giveaway there too!
Vaseline works by creating a sealing barrier between cells, locking in moisture which helps to speed up your skins natural recovery from dryness. For people that suffer from dry skin, irritation, minor cuts, chapped lips, diaper rash, or eczema, Vaseline is likely to bring relief. However, Vaseline has gotten some bad press over the years and I know a number of people avoid using it. Which brings me to the great Vaseline debate!
Why The Debate?
Vaseline is a byproduct of the oil industry. During the refinery of crude oil, the leftover residue is purified and turned into petroleum jelly. Given that this is a byproduct of the oil industry, it is considered to be not eco-friendly. The concern is that it is not a sustainable resource and therefore not good for the planet. Non-Surgical Nose Job
My Opinion
Is there anything I can use instead?
As we become more and more educated about eco-friendly products and gain a better understanding of clean skincare I get many questions about product replacements.
Also Check: Eczema That Looks Like Bug Bites
Switching To Petroleum Jelly
Dear NEA Scratch Pad:
I just wanted to thank you for your excellent website. I had severe eczema on my hands and fingers for months. I tried several creams and lotions, and nothing worked. I even researched eczema on the Internet and all the sites just said to use creams and lotions and cortisone. Only after finding the NEA website did I see the warning to avoid lotions in a pump and to try using petroleum jelly instead. That did the trick, and I started seeing results in less than a week! My hands finally look normal again, and I couldnt be happier!
Thank you again for your informative website.
David PlowmanLong Beach, California
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The recommendations contained in the Scratch Pad are those of the contributor. NEA provides health information from a variety of sources this information is not intended as medical advice. Persons with questions regarding specific symptoms or treatments should consult a professional health-care provider.
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Vaseline And Eczema: Application Strategies
Over the years Ive learned how and when to apply Vaseline. Here are my tips for applying Vaseline to my face and body.
- Use a cotton swab or cotton ball to apply
- Apply thin layers
- Apply at least 30 minutes before bed to avoid getting oil all over pillows while sleeping
- Apply to nose, eyes, lips, and ears before and during flights
- If applying under expensive clothes use a band-aid to prevent oil from staining clothes
Moisturizing my eczema has caused me to ruin plenty of clothes and bed sheets. Im careful of what I apply to my body and when I apply it.
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Start Soothing Your Eczema Naturally Today
Use this information and these helpful tips to start healing your eczema safely while getting the relief you deserve.
Bio: Kazandra is a contributor and content developer for The Eczema Company with a flair for creative storytelling rooted in strategy. Her comments, suggestions, and reflections are not intended to replace any medical advice. Always seek the help of a medical professional before undertaking any diet or lifestyle changes.
What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Eczema
The signs of eczema :
- are mainly dry, itchy skin. Because it is so itchy, it is often called “the itch that rashes.”
- include redness, scales, and bumps that can leak fluid and then crust over
- tend to come and go. When they get worse, it is called a flare-up.
- may be more noticeable at night
Symptoms can vary:
- Infants younger than 1 year old usually have the eczema rash on their cheeks, forehead, or scalp. It may spread to the knees, elbows, and trunk .
- Older kids and teens usually get the rash in the bends of the elbows, behind the knees, on the neck, or on the inner wrists and ankles. Their skin is often scalier and drier than when the eczema first began. It also can be thicker, darker, or scarred from all the scratching .
Recommended Reading: How Do You Treat Eczema On The Face
What Are Aquaphor And Vaseline
Heres a little history lesson on these products. Aquaphor is an over-the-counter ointment first developed by Beiersdorf Inc. Laboratories in the US during the 1920s. It is marketed as a treatment for minor cuts and scrapes, dry and cracked skin, chapped lips, as well as diaper rashes. Aquaphor comes in various product lines, ranging from body care to minor wound care products. Vaseline , on the other hand, is also an American brand known for their petroleum jelly-based products such as ointments, lip balms, lotions, and moisturizers to relieve dry skin. They have been in the industry for the past 150 years and have since been a skincare shelf staple.
Managing Atopic Dermatitis Requires A Multifaceted Approach
Think of maintaining healthy atopic dermatitis skin as supported by a three-legged stool that simultaneously requires attention toward limiting bacteria, causes of inflammation, and itching/scratching. If you cant manage, maintain, or fight any of these individual things, you can worsen an already impaired skin barrier, which then causes problems in the other two areas. It becomes a vicious cycle of discomfort, leading to that eruption of fiery inflammation.
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Is Petroleum Jelly Good For Eczema In Babies
groin eczema, particularly if it is seborrheic, treatment will involve using emollients such as mineral or olive oil and petroleum jelly. This can help loosen the scales of the affected skin area.
The good news is that eczema is not a.
groin eczema, particularly if it is seborrheic, treatment will involve using emollients such as mineral or olive oil and petroleum jelly. This can help loosen the scales of the affected skin area.
The good news is that eczema is not a.
Use these tips to avoid eczema’s itchiness and dryness.
Very good for dry skin but it is so thick that its hard to apply. I dont have a problem with the thickness though, considering its a cream for extremely dry skin, I would expect that. But its the greasiness of it that I dont like. Its like having petroleum jelly on my hands so its a.
Petroleum, also called crude oil, is an important source of energy, according to Natural Resources Canada. Oil provided approximately 34 percent of the worlds energy needs in 2008. The source of oil a
According to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, dogs that eat petroleum jelly sometimes experience gastrointestinal upset, such as stomach aches, vomiting or diarrhea. In addit
Truly ulta.com $38.00 Soft and buttery-smooth, this balm will have you wanting to re-apply over and overbut luckily, you only need to use a little to get baby-soft skin. This balm is vegan.
petroleum jelly.
various skin complications such as eczema.
How To Avoid Greasiness
A little petroleum jelly goes a long way. But if you donât want it on your fingers at all, use a small spatula to put on a thin layer wherever you want to use it. If you moisturize your hands or feet, just put on gloves or socks after. But keep in mind that oil-based products may stain fabric or carpet.
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It Locks In Skin Moisture
Newborn babies sometimes have very dry skin in their hands and ankles. While it looks concerning, experts say it could be temporary, so there might be no need for moisturizing lotions and creams.
What you could do instead is apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly1.
Unless the manufacturer adds moisturizer to their product, please note that petroleum jelly is not a moisturizer. Still, it helps lock in natural skin moisture by acting as a barrier.
Add A Protective Barrier
Slather an extra layer of petroleum jelly on your babys cheeks and nose before heading out for a wintery walk to prevent chapping and irritation from dry winter air. If your baby gets an eczema flare around her mouth, apply petroleum jelly or another thick barrier cream to the area before meals and snacks, advises Michele Ramien, a dermatologist at the Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa. Kids with eczema have the genetics to develop allergies, and one of the main ways they become allergic is through exposure on broken or damaged skin, she explains. The barrier will also prevent acidic foods such as strawberries and tomato sauce from irritating the skin when they inevitably get all over your little ones face.
Read more:
Recommended Reading: Eczema Around Nose And Mouth
Why Exactly Is Vaseline Good For Eczema
First things first: Vaseline is a brand, not an ingredient. When we talk about Vaseline, were talking about the OG purveyor of petroleum jelly . Its the goopy, gel-like mixture of mineral oils and waxes that lock in moisture like none other.
Folks have used Vaseline to smooth over minor scrapes and burns for decades. It also works as a lip balm and face cream for crocodilian dry skin. TBH, its a go-to for practically every skin prob but zits .
So, what makes Vaseline so great?
- Its simple. No fragrances, dyes, or other skin irritants.
- Its mega-hydrating. Vaseline puts that moisture on literal lockdown.
- It promotes healing. So says the American Academy of Dermatologists!
- It protects the skin barrier. More on this later, but it shields your skin from outside gunk.
In essence, Vaseline does *all* the eczema-soothing things. Experts say that slathering Vaseline on your eczema is an excellent way to care for your scaly, inflamed skin at home.
Eczema attacks come and go, so the *best* thing you can do is identify your triggers. Prevention really is the best medicine.
If youre already in full-on scratch mode, Vaseline can help. Heres the drill:
Not All Infants Need A Daily Moisturizer
Ready to slather your infant with Vaseline tonight? Not without talking to your pediatrician first, Xu said.
Its important to note that the initial study only included babies who were already considered high-risk of developing atopic dermatitis: They each had a parent or sibling who had at some point been diagnosed with eczema, asthma or hay fever.
Larger studies with longer follow-up are still needed and are currently ongoing to confirm that the method continues to prevent atopic dermatitis in babies who were moisturized beyond the first six months of their lives. But at this point, the data is encouraging, since nearly half of all individuals who develop eczema do so in the first year of their lives, Xu said.
So far, the research only suggests that using a daily moisturizer on newborns could be a good idea for babies at high risk. The risk of trying this intervention is low, even if it ultimately doesnt prevent atopic dermatitis.
Gentle, bland moisturizers have very little to no risk of harm to newborns, Xu said, adding its definitely reasonable for parents with infants who are at high risk of developing atopic dermatitis to ask their pediatricians about using a moisturizer as a preventative measure.
And at just more than $7 for the full six months of petroleum jelly, its not that expensive to do.
Sarah DiGiulio is The Huffington Posts sleep reporter. You can contact her at sarah.digiulio@huffingtonpost.com.
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What Can Make It Worse
Each baby is different. But there are some common eczema triggers to avoid, including:
Dry skin. It can make a baby’s skin itchier. Low humidity, especially during winter when homes are well-heated and the air is dry, is a cause.
Irritants. Think scratchy wool clothes, polyester, perfumes, body soaps, and laundry soaps. These can all trigger symptoms.
Stress. Children with eczema may react to stress by flushing. That can lead to itchy, irritated skin. And that, in turn, ramps up their eczema symptoms.
Heat and sweat. Both can make the itch of infant eczema worse.
Allergens. Itâs not certain, but some experts believe that removing cowâs milk, peanuts, eggs, or certain fruits from a childâs food may help control eczema symptoms. Remember that your baby can get exposed to these foods if their mother eats them before they breastfeed. Find out the connection between food and eczema flares.
What Is Wet Wrap Therapy For Eczema
People with eczema often have two problems: a defective skin barrier that dries out easily and is more open to invasion from allergens and germs than normal and an overly sensitive immune system.
That means treatment needs to be twofold:
- Repair the damaged skin
- Avoid exposure to allergens and irritants
Sounds simple, but anyone who deals with eczema knows that it is anything but easy. Stopping the itch is key, as the itch-scratch cycle feeds upon itself.
For patients with difficult-to- manage eczema, one treatment option is wet wrap therapy.
After doing a soak-and-seal warm bath and applying medication, the patients eczema-damaged skin is wrapped in a layer of wet cloths, topped often by dry clothes such as pajamas, sweatshirt or tube socks. Plenty of videos demonstrating wet wrap therapy for eczema are available online.
Doctors recommend wet wrap therapy as an intervention for moderate-to-severe cases. Wet wrap therapy can reduce the need for medication, but it should be done only after consulting with a physician.
Recommended Reading: What Stops The Itching Of Eczema
Finding The Right Ointments/occlusives In A Sea Of Selections
There are many products designed to maintain skin moisture and it can be overwhelming to choose. Every now and then, I cruise through the pharmacy aisles, just to see the options for patients. The truly hypoallergenic products are not always organized together.
To help make the process a little less daunting, I recommend a few products that can help.
My favorite thing to talk about is actually vegetable shortening because most people dont think about using it to help their skin and its really inexpensive. If you think about what all these barrier compensation creams or ointments do, its to help seal the water into your skin once its already wet from the bath or the shower. Vegetable shortening does the same thing. If you have a lot of food allergies, however, make sure youre not allergic to the vegetable ingredients that the oil is derived from, because we cant speak to how well its purified.
Dermatologists also recommend petroleum jelly a lot because it is generally well tolerated, even for patients who are truly sensitive and for whom many products sting. Of course, petroleum jelly can be tricky in that its heavy, sticky, and can get onto furniture and clothing. So while smearing petroleum jelly all over the body can be particularly messy, I encourage applying it on what I call your hot spots, places on the body where the fire tends to recur, because those patches of skin are going to be the most sensitive to chemical irritants and other ingredients.