Flare-ups from eczema can cause discomfort in the form of red swollen skin that is scaly and very itchy. Flare-ups of this class of skin conditions are brought on by exposure to certain triggers such as allergens, detergents or dust that cause inflammation to take place in the body. In order to prevent flare-ups from causing you much discomfort you need to find ways to avoid the triggers that bring them on. Read on for some practices you can reduce the frequency of flare-ups from eczema.
Use Warm, Not Hot Water
When you wash, always use warm water as opposed to hot water. The reason for this is because hot water dries out the skin and the drier your skin is, the more prone it is to eczema flare-ups. On sweltering days in the summer wash your skin with cool water to soothe it.
Pat Your Skin, Don’t Rub It
Not only is the water temperature important but so is the way in which you wash your skin. To put it another way, never scrub your skin when you wash it. Avoid any washcloths, loofahs or body brushes that are rough or abrasive. These can serve to irritate and damage the skin and by so doing, cause a flare-up to occur. Facecloths and washcloths made of 100 percent cotton are your best bet. The same is true for the towels you buy. Make sure they are soft. When you dry your skin, pat it dry. Never rub it!
Buy Gentle Products for Your Skin
Be mindful of the products you buy for your eczema prone skin. Look for natural and gentle soaps and cleansers. Read product labels carefully and avoid anything that contains alcohol, sulfates, parabens or any type of synthetic fragrance. Buying products that are well suited to your sensitive skin can save you from a tremendous amount of itching, irritation and redness.
Make Moisturize Your Buzzword
The skin needs moisturize all of the time and those with eczema need it more than other people. It is best to moisturize your skin as soon as you get out of the bath or shower. Before drying your skin, apply cream, lotion or oil to it. Or you might want to apply oil and let it absorb into your skin and then apply a layer of lotion. Oil tends to penetrate the skin further and helps to facilitate healing while creams and lotions are very soothing to the top layer of skin.
Keep a Food Diary
Eczema is believed to be connected to food allergies so keep a diary of the foods you eat. If you notice that after eating a particular food that your eczema flares up then stop eating that food for a week or so and see what happens. Some of the most common food triggers that are connected to eczema include eggs, shellfish, nuts, tomatoes and wheat.
Identify Triggers in the Environment
There are other pollutants and allergens in the environment that could lead to flare-ups such as chemicals, pollen, pet dander and mold. Take note of what you were doing or what you were using shortly before the flare-up occurred in order to identify if it is one of your triggers.
Take Your Vitamins
Make sure you get enough vitamins and minerals on a daily basis. The foods you should be eating to ensure this include fish, leafy green vegetables, beans, olives, peanut butter and safflower oil. You might also want to take a multi-vitamin. Other supplements that might be worth looking into include zinc, fish oil and evening primrose oil.
Manage Your Stress
How well do you cope with stress? How much stress do you encounter in your day-to-day life? Researchers have found that high levels of stress can trigger a flare-up of eczema. While you cannot completely avoid stress, you can find positive ways of coping with it. Look to relaxation and stress relieving techniques such as meditation, walking, deep breathing or even simple stretching exercises to help you cope adequately.
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