Eczema is one of the most frustrating and painful skin conditions, which unfortunately has no cure. However, you can deal with eczema symptoms and prevent them from flaring up with the right strategies.
Want to know what those strategies are? Read along.
In this blog, you’ll find 10 easy-to-implement and effective strategies for eczema relief. Also, we’ll talk more about eczema, its signs & symptoms, and its causes.
What is Eczema?
Eczema is a group of conditions (commonly atopic dermatitis) that makes your skin irritated, itchy or inflamed. The term “atopic” here means the person suffering from this condition also tends to get allergic conditions such as hay fever or asthma.
Common Causes of Eczema
Several health professionals believe that Eczema occurs because of a combination of environmental and genetic factors. However, researchers aren’t aware of the definitive reason behind Eczema.
Also, children are more likely to develop Eczema if a parent suffers from a similar atopic condition. And if both parents suffer from a similar condition, the likelihood increases even more.
Here are some environmental factors that might lead to Eczema:
- Irritants such as soaps, shampoos, and detergents.
- A sudden change in temperature.
- Certain foods such as milk, eggs, wheat, etc.
- Stress tends to worsen the symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Eczema
Symptoms of Eczema look different for everyone. Also, the flare-ups (return of eczema symptoms) don’t occur at some places on the body. However, here are some common signs or symptoms you might notice:
- Itchy skin
- Red, leathery, cracked, or dry skin
- Rashes in the elbow bend, behind knees, neck, ankles, or wrist
- Thick or scaly skin
- For people with darker skin: the skin may turn darker.
- For people with lighter skin color: the skin may turn brown from red.
However, if you experience unbearable itching, pain, or causes pus and blisters, you should immediately reach out to a doctor.
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How to Manage Eczema?
1. Try Changing Your Diet
While diet cannot help you treat Eczema, choosing the right foods might help reduce the symptoms. For instance, in some cases, a dairy product like milk triggers flare-ups. Avoiding these types of foods might help with eczema relief.
2. Stay Cool and Avoid Sweating
Whenever you go out, always prefer shade. And whenever you’re inside, switch on the air conditioner to stay cool and avoid sweating. This will help you maintain a normal temperature, and this prevents eczema flare-ups.
3. Go for Quality Sunscreens
If you have to go out in the sun, it’s better to stay protected. Go for mineral sunscreen to reduce the impact of the sun’s rays and prevent flare-ups.
4. Dry Your Clothes Immediately
Sweat can trigger the symptoms of Eczema. So, during summers, if you find your shirt sticking to your back, immediately pull out a fresh one. This will keep you dry and will reduce the likelihood of eczema symptoms.
5. Use a Mild Soap
Some soaps are known to trigger eczema problems. So, make sure to use mild soaps that are gentle on your skin while bathing or washing your hands.
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6. Keep Your Nails Trimmed
If you suffer from Eczema, you would know how bad the urge to itch is. However, if you have untrimmed nails, you might end up scratching and thus breaking your skin which can be really painful. Also, you might give an invitation to infections. So, keep your nails trimmed at all times for eczema relief.
7. Use Coconut Oil
If you have blisters or open skin due to eczema, it can cause infections. However, as coconut oil is known for its antibacterial properties, it can help you prevent infections. Also, coconut oil acts as a natural moisturizer and can soothe your skin.
8. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is known to keep your skin moisturized and protect the outer layer from infection. It may also relieve your inflammation and itching. So, if the symptoms start appearing, applying some sunflower oil might provide relief.
9. Calendula Cream
Calendula cream is a known herbal remedy that can heal burns, cuts, and skin inflammation. Although research/evidence is lacking, several people have claimed that calendula cream helps ease symptoms of Eczema.
10. Talk to Your Doctor
If the above treatments don’t seem to work, it’s better to get in touch with a dermatologist. He’ll help you diagnose the condition and will recommend reliable treatment to ease the same.
Final Words
There isn’t much eczema awareness in India. This is the reason most people suffering from this condition don’t take it seriously. However, you should know that it’s quite serious and painful.
Fortunately, you have the right information and the 10 strategies that always work under your sleeve. So, use the information and help yourself & anyone who’s suffering from Eczema.