How to effectively treat Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that is characterized by excessively dry and itchy skin. It usually starts in childhood, and often gets milder or goes away by adulthood. However, this is not the case for everyone. It is also important to know that eczema is not contagious.

Causes of Eczema

Eczema flare-ups happen when your skin’s natural barrier against outside elements is weakened. This means your skin is unable to protect you against irritants and allergens.

The main causes of eczema are a combination of some or all of the following:

• genes

• dry skin

• an immune system problem

• triggers in the environment

Symptoms of Eczema

• The rash often forms in the creases of the elbows or knees

• Skin in areas where the rash appears may turn darker brown, purple, or gray patches. if you scratch them

• Babies often get the rash on their scalp and cheeks

• Your skin can get infected if you scratch it

How To Manage or Minimize Eczema Flare Ups

• Wear comfortable clothing.

• Wash all new clothes prior to wearing them.

• Keep fingernails short and smooth to help prevent additional skin damage from scratching.

• Use broad-spectrum ultraviolet (UV) protective sunscreen

• Bathe immediately after swimming to reduce and remove exposure to various chemicals found in swimming pools and beaches.

• Avoid taking hot or extremely cold showers or baths

• Avoid using fragrances, such as perfumes and colognes

• Choose fragrance-free cleaning products, beauty products, and detergents

• Bath for atleast 5–10 minutes each day, before patting the skin dry and immediately applying a fragrance-free moisturizer

How To Treat Eczema Flare Ups

• Corticosteroids: Creams that control itching and help repair the skin. after you moisturize. Overuse of this may cause side effects so please use according to the doctor's prescription

• Antibiotic Creams: if your skin has a bacterial infection, an open sore or cracks.

• Oral antibiotics: may be prescribed for a short time to treat an infection.

• Topical Moisturizers/Ointments: Tends to have more oil than water, usually is more thick and greasy. These are the most common types of moisturizers used to treat eczema.

• Emollients & Bath Mixes: The more oil in a moisturizer, the better it usually is at treating atopic dermatitis. The best moisturizers to use are the ones that feel “greasy” (ointments and creams), because they contain more oil. These are very effective at keeping moisture in and irritants out.