Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic health problem characterized by dry, red and itchy skin. The exact cause of eczema is not known for certain, but eczema tends to appear after you are exposed to certain trigger factors. However, you can avoid these triggering factors and use a number of treatments to treat the disease.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Treating Eczema
Step 1. Use an anti-itch cream
Corticosteroid creams can help reduce itching from eczema. In a clinical study, 80% of respondents reported that their eczema or dermatitis reacted well after using hydrocortisone. Ask your doctor about whether you should use a corticosteroid cream or ointment to treat eczema.
- Your doctor will prescribe a corticosteroid cream for you. However, you can also try over-the-counter products, such as 1% hydrocortisone cream.
- If you are using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream, use it 2-3 times a day for 7 days. If you do not notice any improvement or decrease in itching within 7 days, stop using the cream and contact your doctor.
- Ask your doctor if you need systemic corticosteroid medications. These medications are more potent than over-the-counter medications, and can be used to treat severe or severe eczema. These medications can be in the form of pills, lotions, or injections.
- Although the dosage of steroids contained in over-the-counter products is usually small, use this product only as directed on the package or as directed by a doctor. The use of corticosteroid drugs that are too often can cause discoloration and irritation of the skin.
Step 2. Ask your doctor about antibiotics
Eczema will cause itching on the skin. Therefore, you are at risk of developing a bacterial skin infection if you scratch and damage the itchy skin. Your doctor will recommend that you take antibiotics to treat the infection.
Take antibiotics as directed by your doctor and finish all the treatment given even if your infection seems to have improved
Step 3. Talk to your doctor about whether you should use calcineurin inhibitor drugs
This cream helps with itching and reduces the appearance of eczema. However, this cream, which can only be obtained from a doctor's prescription, should only be used if other medicines cannot be used because of side effects.
Calcineurin inhibitors include tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel)
Step 4. Try light therapy
Phototherapy uses natural sunlight or artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation to suppress the body's overactive immune system and reduce inflammation of the skin. As a result, phototherapy helps reduce rashes and itching.
Long-term phototherapy has harmful effects (including skin aging and cancer risk). Therefore, consult a doctor before doing light therapy. Because of these harmful effects, phototherapy is not recommended for children
Step 5. Soak in bleached water
Soaking in water mixed with bleach helps reduce bacterial infections on the skin. Try soaking in bleach-mixed water 2-3 times a week for a few weeks to see if this method will help relieve your eczema symptoms.
- Pour 1/2 cup of bleach (use normal household bleach, not concentrated/pure bleach) into a bathtub filled with water. Soak the eczema-affected skin only (not the eczema area on the face) for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and apply moisturizer.
- In addition, you can also try soaking with oatmeal. The ingredients in oatmeal are anti-inflammatory and anti-itch, so it will relieve the symptoms of eczema on the skin.
Step 6. Use a cold compress
To help relieve itching, compress the area prone to eczema with an ice pack. You can also use a clean, damp washcloth soaked in cold water.
Cold compresses also help protect the skin and can prevent you from scratching itchy skin
Step 7. Don't scratch
You may be tempted to scratch your itchy skin, but try to avoid it as much as possible. Scratching can damage the skin and cause a bacterial infection.
- Keep your nails short to help minimize skin damage.
- You may need to wear gloves at night so you don't scratch your skin while you sleep.
- You may need to cover the affected skin with eczema to prevent you from scratching it. Cover areas of skin prone to eczema with a bandage or gauze while you sleep.
Part 2 of 3: Knowing Eczema Triggers
Step 1. Identify eczema triggers from your lifestyle
The appearance of eczema can be triggered by a variety of things, and is different for each person. As such, it's important to learn to identify the factors (such as clothing, chemicals, or food) that trigger your eczema.
- Keep a diary and write down the products you use and the foods you eat. When eczema occurs, it will be easier for you to trace the possible cause.
- Try occasionally eliminating one product from your list, to find out which product may be triggering eczema.
Step 2. Avoid clothes made of irritating materials
Some fabrics can irritate the skin and make or trigger eczema. Continue to monitor your symptoms and if you know a fabric that triggers your eczema, don't wear it again.
- Avoid fabrics that feel itchy on the skin, such as wool, as well as tight clothing that can irritate the skin and trigger eczema. Choose fabrics that are light and allow good air circulation, such as cotton, silk and bamboo.
- Make sure you wash new clothes before putting them on for the first time, so that they are smoother and clearer of any skin irritants.
- However, some detergents can also trigger eczema because they leave a little residue on clothes. Before throwing away your favorite clothes, try using a natural laundry soap or other detergent and see if it changes.
Step 3. Check your cosmeceutical products (cosmetic products that have medicinal properties) and your personal hygiene products
Some cosmetic products and personal hygiene products contain ingredients that can trigger eczema. You may need to choose non-irritating lotions, creams, soaps and makeup that are hypoallergenic and/or without added perfume.
- Use the product for a few weeks to see if it triggers eczema. If so, replace it with another product.
- Avoid products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate and parabens. These ingredients are common irritants that can dry out the skin and lead to eczema.
Step 4. Investigate your diet
Some foods or additives contained in food can also trigger the appearance of eczema. Avoid processed foods and use organic ingredients whenever possible. In addition, you may need to keep a food diary, which will help you identify foods that trigger eczema.
- If you are unsure whether certain foods can trigger eczema, eat them for a few days to see if eczema appears on your skin. Then eliminate these foods from your diet and see if the eczema on the skin disappears. Do the same for all the foods that you believe can trigger the appearance of eczema.
- Try eliminating dairy and gluten from your diet, which are common triggers for diet-induced eczema.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Eczema in the Future
Step 1. Moisturize skin regularly
To keep skin moisturized and prevent dry skin, use a moisturizer at least twice a day. Creams and lotions help retain skin's natural moisture and reduce dryness and itching caused by eczema.
- Apply moisturizer after bathing or showering to keep the skin moist.
- Before bathing, apply a moisturizer (such as a water-based cream or an emulsified ointment such as Aquaphor or Vaseline) all over the skin and rinse the skin, with or without soap. This helps prevent water from drying out the skin. Dry the skin by patting lightly with a towel instead of rubbing it to avoid irritation.
- Consider using a barrier-repairing moisturizer (such as petroleum jelly) which helps retain moisture in the skin and prevents it from drying out.
Step 2. Avoid environmental factors that trigger eczema
If and when you identify factors that cause eczema (see previous section), avoid and/or switch to non-irritating products.
- Avoid chemicals, cosmetics and personal hygiene products that trigger eczema. Keep in mind that it's usually a certain ingredient in a product that can cause irritation; thus, you need to avoid a number of products that contain these ingredients.
- Use a mild soap that is hypoallergenic or made for "sensitive skin".
- Use protective clothing and gloves if you must use products that can cause eczema on your skin.
Step 3. Change your bathing habits
Take a warm bath, not water that is too hot for your skin, and limit your shower time to 10 minutes. Water that is too hot makes the skin more dry than warm water, as well as prolonged exposure to water.
- If you want to take a bath, limit your bath time to 10 minutes and add some bath oil to the water.
- Apply moisturizer immediately after showering, while your skin is still slightly damp from the water.
Step 4. Avoid hot and humid weather
Sweating and overheating can increase the chances of eczema developing and make it worse.
- Stay indoors during hot weather or stay in the shade to keep yourself comfortable.
- Look for an air-conditioned room or cool your skin with a fan if you feel hot.
- Wear light clothing that helps keep the skin cool and maintains good air circulation.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Step 5. Use a humidifier during winter or if you live in a dry climate
In addition to hot and humid weather, which can trigger eczema by causing you to sweat, dry air can make eczema worse.
- Use a humidifier in the bedroom at night, to add moisture to the air and to your skin.
- However, remember to wash the humidifier regularly to prevent harmful microbes from growing in the water.
Step 6. Reduce stress in your daily life
Stress can trigger eczema (and of course an increased risk of other health complications); Therefore, it is very important to reduce the stress you experience on a daily basis. Take steps to organize your life, reduce stress, and deal with anxiety.
- Try Relaxation Techniques, Controlled Breathing and Yoga to reduce stress.
- Exercising regularly can also help reduce stress.
Tips
- Try different treatment options to find the one that works best for you and your skin.
- To find out other natural remedies that can treat eczema, read the article Natural Ways to Treat Eczema.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.
- Remember that eczema is not something that will go away overnight; however, eczema usually gets better with age.
- Apply a thick layer of Aquaphor to the eczema area and cover it with a bandage. Aquaphor will treat the eczema and the bandage will keep the ointment from sinking into the skin and prevent the ointment from getting on your clothes.
Warning
- Don't try to cover up eczema with make-up, unless it's under very severe control. However, use natural, unscented makeup tools so they won't make your eczema worse.
- Don't use steroids (either over-the-counter or oral) unless you don't need them - long-term use of strong steroids can cause harmful effects, such as thinning of the skin.
- If an ointment feels hot or stings on the skin, stop using it and consult a dermatologist.
