Todays topic is about the management of eczema. This topic was requested by a friend of mine. Feel free to send in your health topic requests and I will do my best to dig deeper and find you new information to help you live a healthier life.
Eczema flare-up
Eczema is the general name for a group of skin conditions. The most common is atopic dermatitis. Eczema is an allergic reaction that causes itching, severely dry skin, and can even make your skin scaly, or ooze. It is a chronic disease that can be managed by avoiding allergic reactions or stressors that can cause flare-ups. It is NOT contagious! As many as 1 in 10 people may suffer from eczema. Try to find your triggers, manage your symptoms, and create a plan with your doctor.
Possible triggers include:
- Chemical irritants: harsh soaps, detergents, lotions, perfumes, colones (especially ones that contain alcohol)
- Environmental irritants: dust, pet dander, mold, pollen, tobacco smoke
- Physical irritants: certain fabrics (wool, woven non breathable fabrics), heat/ sweating, scratching skin (can cause secondary infection due to bacteria entering breaks in skin from scratching.)
- Emotional irritants: stress from work, school, home
- Dietary irritants: unique to the person but dairy and acidic foods are common
Management Tips: From Eczema (by Teens Health)
Non-scented lotions like Aveeno are great for moisturizing skin daily
- ointments: topical corticosteroids, cortisone, steroid cream applied as directed by your doctor
- antihistamines to manage itching
- ultraviolet light treatment – by dermatologist
- avoid frequent hot baths, and pat dry after bathing rather than scrubbing
- oatmeal soaks
- moisturize within a few minutes of bathing (non-alcohol and scent free lotions)
- use non scented/oil free makeup
- cold compresses to itchy skin
- drink a lot of water to increase skin’s hydration
Holistic Approaches: From Providence Health & Services
- cut coffee out of your diet (not caffeine)
- chamomile herbal extract (5-6%) ointments
- primrose oil or borage oil 500-1,000 mg daily
- fish oils 1,800 mg daily
- probiotics 10 billion units daily (lactobacillus)-helps the intestinal tract control the absorption of food allergens changing immune response
- St. John’s wort – 5% cream of an herbal extract has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect
- witch hazel- 10-20% cream 2-3 times a day
Always let your doctor know about any supplements you are taking. Talk to your doctor about your eczema so they can help you make a daily routine to prevent flare-ups and infection.
In health,
Tara Arnold, RN
There are SEVERAL suggestions you gave on this post that I have NEVER heard before in my 27 years of life (and exzema). Thank you for checking in to this. It means a lot!
I am so glad you liked it! Keep us all posted on if any help.
Over the last several weeks I have cut out gluten, grain, dairy and eggs. Since your post, Tara, I have started using Seventh Generation hand soap at work instead of that terrible pink stuff, the Aveeno moisturizer as you mentioned (work provides both the soap and moisturizer now!) and I also use gloves when cleaning (I kept forgetting to previously). I also take milk thistle with a glass of water each day for my liver. I drink a lot more water than I had been as well (around 70 ounces each day). Also, haven’t been wearing perfume only deoderant. I use cold water to wash my hands. My skin is a LOT better than it’s been and I thank you for your suggestions in addition to the regimen that my homeopathic doctor recommended. Now I will try to reintroduce some of the foods to see exactly what it is that was bothering it that way hopefully I can enjoy some of the ones I cut out! Thank you, Tara!
Yeahhhhh!
I am so happy that you are seeing improvements! I am really excited that your skin is doing better. I hope you find out that you are not having reactions to foods and can add foods back in. Best of luck and thanks for sharing with all of us.