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Self Help For Your Eczema
Eczema is a chronic recurring intensely itchy inflammation of the skin usually starting in early childhood. It is known as atopic eczema as well as atopic dermatitis.
Mild Cleansers For Eczema Skin
When you have eczema, you should avoid soaps, especially bar soaps, even ‘moisturizing soaps’ as they will cause dry skin and may damage the skin barrier. Only mild soap-free cleansers, preferably liquid, should be used. Liquid cleansers such as the examples listed below, should be used on the face and entire body long term. These cleansers will gently remove dirt, excess oil, bacteria and cosmetics without damaging the skin barrier.
Moisturizers For Eczema Skin
Moisturizers have been found to help restore the skin barrier providing a protective layer on surface of the skin to trap water and prevent the penetration of irritants and allergens. As the diagram shows, an emollient cream is superior in trapping the moisture within the skin.
Moisturizers Should:
• Be perfume free and cosmetically acceptable to the patient
• Protect – offer a layer of protection on the surface of the skin
• Rehydrate - trap and hold water to return moisture to the skin
• Restore - assist with restoring the barrier by filling in the holes and gaps in the skin barrier
When choosing a moisturizer look for the following ingredients:
Petrolatum, mineral oil, silicone (protect), glycerin, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, propylene glycol, butylene glycol (rehydrate), stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, tocopheryl acetate, prolipids (restore).
Hydrocortisone:
Hydrocortisone at a concentration of 0.5% is available without a prescription in Canada. A 1% preparation is available in the USA and Europe without a prescription. For mild localized eczema this can be useful.
It is best to try the ointment base on dry areas. If the eczema is moist or oozing it is advisable to seek medical advice. While waiting for professional advice moist areas can be compressed. Typically a clean face cloth can be rinsed in tepid tap water. The cloth is then applied over the oozing moist patch of eczema for 15 minutes. This will have a soothing drying effect on the skin. It should be repeated 2-3 times a day. Hydrocortisone cream can be applied after compressing.
Bathing
The main purpose of bathing in those who have eczema is to add water, thus hydrating the skin. Baths may be better than showers. Daily bathing is recommended by most dermatologists but there are some who suggest bathing only once or twice a week.
The Keys To Bathing When You Have Eczema Are:
• The water temperature should be luke warm
• Long hot showers are not recommended
• Soaps tend to be degreasers removing oils that are needed in the skin
• Perfumed products in the shower should be avoided and bubble bath never used
• Shampoos are best rinsed off in a way that avoids skin contact as much as possible
• Emollient bath oils are of benefit
• Bath oils are best added towards the end of the bathing session so as not to cover the skin and prevent hydration
• Mineral oil, olive oil and Nivea oil that are added to the bath water will coat the skin but this does not give as much value as adding a moisturizer directly on to the skin
• Oatmeal can be soothing in the bath
• The skin should be patted and not rubbed dry with a soft towel
• Moisturizers are best applied to moist skin in order to’ lock’ in the water into the skin
Anti-Itch Products:
Topical antihistamines such as benadryl are available for the relief of itch but there is a concern about developing allergic reactions to this product and therefore is best avoided.
Anti-itch products include:
• Anti-itch creams
• Perfume free
• Perfume free, cleansers, moisturizers, cosmetics fabric softeners, detergents need to be used
Oral Supplements:
There is currently no conclusive randomized studies that prove that these will help most people. Some patients do benefit from these.
Eczema Trigger Factors To Avoid
Several factors are known to trigger or aggravate eczema, and should be avoided. Some of these factors are weather conditions as well as air-borne allergens, certain foods, skin irritants, and stress. These are detailed below.
Weather Conditions And Air-borne Allergens:
Climatic conditions such as pollution or smog will often cause eczema to flare. Eczema is more common in industrialized countries and in urban areas. Hot, humid weather as well as cold weather will also have adverse effects on eczema. Very low humidity can aggravate dry skin. Humidifiers are useful if there is central heating in your home. Cool bedrooms are helpful. Ideally both school and the workplace should be cool and as dust free as possible. Skin contact with chemicals and dirt should be minimized.
House dust, house dust mites, moulds, pollen, and animal dander from pets are all known to aggravate eczema. Vacuuming of carpets, curtains, and bedding should be done at least weekly. Washing the bedding weekly at high temperature and higher indoor humidity inhibits mites and benefits atopic skin. Fluffy toys need to be washed and shaken outdoors regularly to minimize the accumulation of dust mites. A reduction in house dust mites has been shown to reduce the severity of eczema.
Food Triggers:
Foods may play a role in a small group of infants and children. Most of these reactions resolve in older children.
Elimination diets may be useful if all other treatments have failed. It is frequently difficult during childhood to have severe restrictions of diet. In some cases foods do appear to be a distinct aggravating factor in eczema. True food allergies produce hives, not eczema.
Commonest reactions to the following foods:
• Milk
• Eggs
• Peanuts
• Soybeans
• Wheat
• Seafood
• Fruit with seeds
Skin Irritants:
• Clothes using synthetic fibres such as nylon ,polyester or wool tend to irritate the skin, Latex, rubber and plastics should be avoided without protective cotton liners. Cotton and linen clothing and bedding are best. Residual detergents in clothes and bedding are irritating, so use less detergents and double rinse. Soap flakes (eg.Ivory snow) may be less irritating than laundry detergents. Fabric softeners are discouraged and should be perfume free if used
• Gloves should be used to protect from water and detergents. PVC gloves are recommended for wet work and the use of cotton gloves for potentially dirty work around the house and garden will minimize the need to wash hands.
• Contact with soaps, detergents, shampoos, conditioners, perfume, shaving creams as well as make up should be kept to a minimum. Soaps are alkali and are drying.
• Make-up should not be applied to weeping lesions. Perfume – free cosmetics are advised and trial applications of cosmetics to small areas of normal skin before applying on to the face.
• Bubble baths should not be used. Pat dry and do not rub. Moisturizing after bathing is a must in order to retain water in the skin.
• Avoidance of conditions that cause perspiration certainly is helpful in the control of eczema. Exercise should be performed in cool well ventilated areas. Multiple short sessions are easier on the skin.
Stress:
Anxiety and emotional tension should be kept to a minimum. Techniques to reduce stress and the insight to avoid anxiety producing situations are benefical. It is important to realize that stress does not cause eczema but can certainly result in a flare up.
Posted by Beauty Salon on October 25, 2006 10:03 AM | Permalink
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