Ways To Prevent Eczema Flare Ups

Moisturizers Most Effective In Treating Flare

Moisturizing your skin is essential for combating the symptoms of eczema. However, all moisturizers are not created equally. If you want to get your eczema under control, it is important to keep the skin hydrated with the help of the right creams, lotions, and ointments.

Here are some ingredients to look for when choosing the moisturizers:

Tips For Preventing A Winter Eczema Flare

The cold temperatures and dry air of winter causes a lot of people to have dry, itchy skin. For the more than 31 million people in the United States who have eczema and have dry, itchy skin all year long, winter can be especially brutal.

Eczema is an umbrella term for skin conditions that result in dry, itchy, discolored, and inflamed skin. For some, the symptoms can be unbearable, causing sleeplessness and chronic, daily itching. Fortunately, there are ways you can reduce flare-ups and nonstop itching in the dry winter months.

Here are 5 eczema-fighting tips from our experts at Advanced Allergy & Asthma.

Help Your Child Manage Stress

Emotional stress is a potential trigger for eczema flare-ups. Help your child find downtime and ways to relax, especially if they feel overwhelmed by school or social situations. Massage, aromatherapy, or doing a calm activity that they enjoy, like reading or listening to soothing music, can help ease their mind and prevent skin flare-ups.

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There Are 7 Types Of Eczema Each With Their Own Symptoms

This is the most common form of eczema which is accompanied by asthma and hay fever. It often appears as a red, itchy rash involving the arms, legs and cheeks. It usually starts in childhood, and often gets milder or goes away completely by adulthood .

If you have red, irritated skin thats caused by a reaction to substances you touch, theres a good chance you have contact dermatitis. There are two types: allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis .

Dyshidrotic eczema causes small blisters to form on your hands and feet. This type of eczema is more common in women than men.

This kind of eczema only affects your hands and typically affects people who work in jobs such as hairdressing or cleaning which regularly involve contact with chemicals that irritate the skin.

Neurodermatitis causes thick, scaly patches to appear on the skin. It often starts in patients with a history of other types of eczema and may be triggered by stress.

This type of eczema causes round, coin-shaped spots to form on the skin. It looks very different from other types of eczema and can itch a great deal.

Stasis dermatitis occurs when fluid leaks out of weakened veins into the skin of the lower legs. This fluid causes swelling, redness, itching and pain.

Tend To Your Environment

Dealing directly with your skin is one way to tackle eczema flare-ups, but its also important to tend to your environment and make it as soothing and trigger-free as possible. This is important for both preventing as well as managing flare-ups.

What do we mean by your environment? Everything! For example, the clothes you wear, the air in your home, the activities you participate in, and what you put on your skin.

That said, of course there are aspects of your daily environment that you cant control .

But here are just a few tips for managing what is under your control:

• Run a humidifier at home to add moisture to the air
• Clean and dust often to do away with triggers like dust, pet dander, and mold
• Wear loose-fitting clothing that doesnt rub against your skin
• Stay away from irritating fabrics like wool
• Avoid overheating by staying cool and wearing layers of clothing

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When Your Skin Becomes A Battlefield

Wear Organic Cotton Clothing

In addition to these tips, the clothes that you wear are still your best defense against extreme heat, so wear lightweight, loose clothes that can be easily removed or added as the temperature changes.

The NEA encourages people to wear clothing made of natural fabric like cotton that is not too tight or close to the skin. Our allergy-free clothes, made from 100% chemical-free and organic cotton, are ultimately breathable and comfortable. It thrives with just the right amount of stretch to prevent unnecessary irritation to your skin.

If youre having a hard time looking for comfortable and 100% organic cotton clothes that wont irritate your skin and help protect your skin from the sun, try our awesome picks here:

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Avoid Laundry Detergents With Fragrances

Although fragrances smell good, our skin is sensitive to the chemical irritants, and our body reacts by having a flare-up. That’s why Gohara recommends using a laundry detergent without fragrances, like All Free Clear.

Laundry detergents free of fragrances don’t have chemicals that will irritate the skin, so using this type of detergent will lower your odds of getting a flare-up.

Probiotics Are A Great Addition For The Gut

Using a probiotic was like finding the secret sauce for the best tasting burger! Eczema is an immune system reaction so finding a probiotic can very much help! They can help by providing what is missing for healthy digestion to your gut. Because lets, face it, we all all not perfect eaters and these probiotics help with that. Other treatments in conjunction with probiotics can provide the BEST benefits for your eczema flare ups.

Where do you start when looking for a probiotic you ask? Rebecca Bonneteau N.D is a expert in this area and it is also where I found a wealth of information.

So by putting these tips in practice, it helped us determine what and how we could deal with a flare-up and or stop it from happening altogether! AND YOU CAN TOO when you have these 5 step by step tips for reducing your eczema flare-ups.

For more information on how to live the life you love visit me at The Jeeper Mom.

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How Can I Manage And Ease Eczema Flare

Not all treatments work for everyone with eczema, but its important not to give up hope. Depending on the severity, treatments may include lifestyle changes, prescription medication and over-the-counter remedies.

Here are some options you can try to help manage your symptoms during an eczema flare-up:

Apply A Cool Compress

When youre in the throes of an eczema flare-up, managing the itch to prevent scratching is essential. Applying a cool compress to your skin can help.

A cool compress sounds fancy, but it can be as simple as using a washcloth soaked in cool water. Wring it out until its damp, and then gently lay the washcloth on affected areas of skin.

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Moisturize Your Skin Regularly

Because constant scratching tends to break down and damage the protective layer of your skin, its important to moisturize twice daily even when youre not having a flare-up.

Talk to your dermatologist about the best type of over-the-counter emollient for your skin. Be sure to select unscented options.

Other skin care tips:

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Moisturize With Ceramides To Restore The Skins Barrier

Levels of ceramides, which are lipids naturally found in the skin, decrease when skin is dry, no matter if its winter or summer. Your defense? A moisturizer that contains ceramides . It can help restore the skins protective barrier and hydration, Dr. Marchbein says. She recommends applying the moisturizer within 60 seconds of getting out of the shower for best results.

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Choose Facial And Body Care Products Carefully

Cosmetics, soaps, hair products, perfumes, scented lotions, and shaving creams can all contain ingredients that irritate the skin and promote eczema flare-ups. Therefore, before using them regularly, we recommend that you patch test these products by applying them to a small area of your skin and waiting 24 hours. This is a great way to check whether the product will cause you to have a skin reaction.

And of course, your pharmacist is always available to help you make an informed decision!

Effective Ways To Avoid Eczema Flare

Picture this: Warm breeze, cloudless skies, and the calming sound of waves reaching the shoresthis is how summer should look like under the scorching sun. But when extreme dryness and itchiness make their way toward your skin, enjoying summertime can be a little bit challenging.

According to the National Eczema Association , managing the symptoms of atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema, can be troublesome at any time of the year. The combination of genes, changing weathers, and other triggers push our immune system to overreact, causing our bodies to respond by producing inflammation.

These symptoms, which can be itchy and painful, are undoubtedly disruptive. The extreme dryness of the skin, combined with flare-ups, makes it hard for those with eczema to spend summer activities outdoors. However, with the right precautions, you can still have a little fun under the sun without frustrations. Here are the 7 proactive tips to reducing your eczema flare-ups this summer.

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How Does It Work

Indications: The homeopathic components in H-Eczema Formula have been carefully selected to provide quick relief from symptoms such as itching and discomfort and to provide successful treatment for eczema symptoms.These components are manufactured according to the specifications in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States and are monographed for use as homeopathic ingredients.*

H-Eczema Formula helps to reduce your outbreaks and to assist in smoothing, re-texturing and moisturizing the skin. Unlike many other remedies, our product addresses the signs of eczema as well as helps re-moisturize the skin.*

When used as directed, our product is formulated to address even the most stubborn symptoms so that the skin is restored to a smooth appearance. This product may be used for children from 2 years old.*

Causes And Triggers Of Eczema

Although it can be difficult to determine what causes eczema exactly, we know that genetics and environment have a role to play. In other words, if either of your parents has ever experienced atopic dermatitis, theres a good chance you will too.

Eczema flare-ups can also be caused by the following:

• Certain irritating fabrics, such as wool or synthetic materials
• Certain soaps, perfumes, or scented skin products
• Chlorinated pool water or seawater
• Certain atopic diseases, such as asthma
• Seasonal and food allergies
• Water that is too hot
• Major stress
• Smoking

One thing is certain: whatever eczema is caused by, your skin plays a key role in preventing this condition by acting as a barrier that protects the body from irritants, germs, and other foreign substances in your environment. To do its job, however, your skin needs to be intact, healthy, and well hydrated. In fact, this is your first course of action to prevent and treat eczema!

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Limit Or Remove Dairy

Some people claim it helps, some say it doesnt. But it worked for us! Limiting and/or completely removing it from the diet helped improved the number of flare ups, which in turn assisted in the healing and reoccurring of itchiness with eczema.

We also changed out our milk products with products which aided in the consumption of the lactose in dairy because well, toddlers!

Triggers Of Eczema Flare

• Soaps. Never use bubble bath. It can cause a major flare-up.
• Pollens. Keep your child from lying on the grass during grass pollen season.
• Animals. Avoid any animals that make the rash worse.
• Foods. If certain foods cause severe itching , avoid them.
• Wool. Avoid wool fibers and clothes made of other scratchy, rough materials.
• Dry Air. Use a humidifier if the air in your home is dry.
• Herpes Virus Infection . Keep your child away from anyone with fever blisters . The herpes virus can cause a serious skin infection in children with eczema.
• Eczema is not caused by laundry soap you use to wash clothing.

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Most Importantly Avoid Scratching

We know, we know . . . Eczema is itchy and you want to scratch. But listen. Even if scratching makes you feel momentarily better, you need to resist the urge to do it! Scratching does nothing to help, and it will even make things worse by exacerbating any damage or redness youre experiencing. In fact, it will only make you feel itchier.

Scratching your eczema creates a vicious cycle of itch, scratch, rash. You feel itchy, you scratch, you get temporary relief, but the rashes only get worse. In other words, scratching does the opposite of what youre looking to achieve.

Pro tip

Instead of scratching, its better to rub or pinch your skin.

What You Need To Know About Avoiding Eczema Flare

With temperatures falling outside, Canadians are cranking up the heat indoors. For anyone this combination of hot and cold can irritate the skin, but for those with eczema, it can wreak havoc. And while some will rely on medications, creams or light therapy to help control symptoms, there are things you can do to minimize, or even prevent, flare-ups from occurring in the first place.

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How To Use Topical Corticosteroids

Do not be afraid to apply the treatment to affected areas to control your eczema.

Unless instructed otherwise by a doctor, follow the directions on the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.

This will give details of how much to apply.

Most people only have to apply it once a day as there’s no evidence there’s any benefit to applying it more often.

When using a topical corticosteroid:

• apply your emollient first and ideally wait around 30 minutes until the emollient has soaked into your skin, or apply the corticosteroid at a different time of day
• apply the recommended amount of the topical corticosteroid to the affected area
• continue to use it until 48 hours after the flare-up has cleared so the inflammation under the skin surface is treated

Occasionally, your doctor may suggest using a topical corticosteroid less frequently, but over a longer period of time. This is designed to help prevent flare-ups.

This is sometimes called weekend treatment, where a person who has already gained control of their eczema uses the topical corticosteroid every weekend on the trouble sites to prevent them becoming active again.

Use Natural Skincare Products Designed For Sensitive Skin

Harsh, chemical ingredients can do a number on sensitive skin. And whether youre trying to calm an eczema flare-up or are simply on the daily quest to prevent them, you need to avoid irritating your skin.

No matter what type of skincare products you intend to use, we recommend treating your skin to products that are made specifically for sensitive skin and include gentle ingredients.

Stay away from parabens, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, sulfates, and chemical sunscreen ingredients .

That said, keep in mind that you know your skin best, and its always a good idea to do a patch test before slathering something all over your face or body!

For natural skincare products designed with you in mind, check out Babo Botanicals eczema and sensitive skin line.

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