Don’t Scratch - Preventing Eczema Flare-Ups
Eczema can be a slow, lingering torture. Relentless itching, combined with opportunistic infections that take hold when scratching causes breaks in the skin, can seriously diminish quality of life, making even sleeping difficult. There is no cure for eczema, but there are many things you can do at home to manage the symptoms. We’ll start by taking a look at what eczema is, what the symptoms are, which complications you need to watch out for, and what you can do to take care of yourself.
What is eczema?
Mayo Clinic in the U.S. defines eczema (atopic dermatitis) as an itchy inflammation of the skin. It’s a chronic condition, but it tends to disappear - for months or even years - and then flare up again. Other people seem to never get a break from their eczema symptoms.
What causes eczema?
While the exact causes are unknown, NHS Choices explains that there seems to be a strong genetic link (60 percent of children who have a parent with eczema will develop the condition themselves) that predisposes certain people to developing eczema when they’re exposed to certain triggers. There are many suspected triggers that vary from person to person:
- Allergies, whether outdoor or food (over one-third of children with eczema also have a food allergy)
- Stress
- Hormones
- Cold weather
- Sweating
- Irritants ranging from harsh soaps to dust to unfamiliar pets
- Environmental factors like living near a busy road or using water with a high mineral concentration
It’s important to try to identify your own triggers. That gives you a valuable tool in stopping flare-ups before they start.
What are the symptoms?
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Patches of skin that are gray or reddish-brown (usually on the face or chest, around the knees and elbows, or even around the eyes)
- Severe itching
- A raised rash with red bumps that may ooze fluid when they’re scratched
- Patches of thickened or scaly skin
- Skin that is red, raw, and inflamed from scratching.
What are the possible complications?
Eczema can have serious effects on your quality of life, mainly from itching, stress, and lack of sleep. But you can experience physical complications, too. This usually happen when skin is broken from scratching; that provides an easy opening for the bacteria that normally live on your skin or in the environment. The resulting infection (often impetiginization or impetigo) usually requires antibiotic treatment.
Another potential complication is permanent skin damage from scratching. Neurodermatitis occurs when prolonged scratching results in patches of skin that are thick and leathery. Excessive scratching can also cause permanent scarring.
When eczema attacks the skin around the eyes, the constant rubbing and itching can lead to inflammation of the eyelids or their linings. Red flags include red, watery eyes.
How can I prevent eczema flare-ups?
Simple self-care steps can help you reduce the frequency of your flare-ups. Recommendations from Mayo Clinic and WebMD include:
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Don’t bathe and shower every day. Frequent bathing just dries your skin out even more. Try bathing every other instead. Use plain water where you can, and, for the parts of your body that need soap, use a mild dye-free, fragrance-free product.
- Dry yourself carefully. Try to pat, not rub.
- Use moisturizer to add a protective layer to your skin.
- Use an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream on affected areas. Consider adding a bandage to keep the area moist and to make scratching more difficult.
- An over-the-counter antihistamine (like diphenhydramine) may help reduce the severity of a flare up.
- Wear lightweight cotton clothing that doesn’t chafe or bind.
- Try to identify triggers so you can avoid them. Common triggers include harsh soaps or detergents, wool, rapid changes in temperature, stress, and sweating.
Natural News also recommends aloe vera gel, especially that mixed with Vitamin E oil.
Despite your best efforts at home care, you may occasionally need to see a doctor. Get medical treatment right away if you think your skin is infected. Medical care may also be appropriate if your eczema is too severe for home remedies. Treatment options available from doctors include things like:
- Ultraviolet therapy
- Corticosteriods
- Immunosuppressants
- Prescription-strength moisturizers
If you do seek medical help and feel your concerns weren’t taken seriously or that you were treated inappropriately, there are companies like http://www.irwinmitchell.com that can help you figure out your options.
Eczema can rob a lot of the joy from your life, but you can take steps to take it back. Learn what your triggers are so you can avoid them. Figure out what steps you can take at home to reduce the frequency of your flare-ups and to treat them when they occur. And make sure you understand when it’s time to get medical treatment.
Linda Newman is an experienced nurse. She often writes about common questions and ailments on health blogs.
You may also like to see our in depth article on herbal remedies for treating eczema.
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