How to Treat and Prevent Eczema

Although there is no formal cure for Eczema, but that does not mean you should leave it unchecked, rather you can take a lot of simple steps to help keep it under control. And when a flare happens, your regular doctor, who knows your allergies and stuff, can help you with many sorts of treatments that can work for you.
Keep in mind that there’s no perfect solution that works for everyone. From moisturizers to medicine, finding out what’s best for you may take some trials and errors, and it can change over the course of time. eventually you can fully control Eczema, hopefully.

Know Your Triggers

Everyone with Eczema has their own triggers. It helps to learn yours so you can avoid them whenever possible. Common ones include:

• Allergens, like Animal Dander, Dust, Mold, and Pollen Allergies
• Certain foods 
• Dry skin
• Harsh Soaps and Detergents
• High temperatures 
• Rough or itchy fabrics
• Skin products with dyes or fragrances
• Stress
• Sweat
• Tobacco smoke

Choose the Right Moisturizer

Besides your diet routine, daily skin care is very much important, and moisturizers are your first line of defense to keep your skin from drying out. You have three basic types to choose from:

• Ointments, like petroleum jelly, are thick and great at holding in moisture, but they can be greasy.
• Creams are a good middle ground — not as greasy as ointments but still get the job done.
• Lotions are the least thick, so they’re not quite as effective or long-lasting.

Take Baths and Showers

Baths and showers are both very helpful, but you can overdo it. Try to:

• Shower or bathe once a day for 10-15 minutes, max.
• Use warm water, not hot. 
• Wash with a mild soap that does not strip away your body’s oils.
• Only soap up your face, armpits, genitals, hands, and feet. Use water everywhere else.
• Don’t scrub with a washcloth or loofah.
• Gently pat yourself dry with a soft towel.
• Bathe at night to best lock in moisture.

Boost Your Baths

To get more from your bath, try adding:

• Baking soda, about a quarter cup, for itching.
• Bath oil to moisturize your skin.
• Oatmeal to help with itching. Use colloidal oatmeal, which is like an oatmeal gel.
• Salt, about a cup, when you have flare-ups. Best not to use refined salt.

Use Mild Soaps and Detergents

Soaps, detergents, and other products can be harsh on your skin, so you should pay much attention when choosing one for you. Here’s what to look for:

• Avoid antibacterial and deodorant soaps. They’re usually harder on your skin.
• Choose products that don’t have dyes or fragrances added.
• Get products with as few additives as possible.
• Use mild laundry detergent.
• Skip the fabric softener.

Wear Soft Clothes

Your clothes touch your skin all day long, so you want to think about what you’re wearing and how it feels. The basic rule is to avoid friction. That means coarse, tight, or scratchy clothes, like wool, are out. Go soft and breathable. Cotton is usually a good choice.  Also, dress for the season. Heat and sweat can trigger flare-ups, so it’s important to stay cool.

Resist the Itch

The more you resist, the better. It’s easier said than done, but scratching is rough on your skin and can cause sores that lead to infection. Try these ideas:

• Put a wet cloth on areas that itch.
• Cover itchy areas to keep from scratching them.
• Gently rub with your fingertips instead of scratching.
• Keep your fingernails short to limit harm.
• Wear thin gloves while you sleep.

If it seems too hard to control the urge, you may want to see a therapist to break that habit.

Prescription Creams and Ointments

If self-care measures don’t prevent flare-ups, your doctor may suggest medicines you rub on your skin:

• Corticosteroids have long been used to treat eczema. They come in a range of strengths. You usually stop using them once the flare-up is under control.
• Calcineurin inhibitors affect how your immune system works. They can curb flare-ups but have serious side effects, so you’d probably only use them if other treatments fail.

Biologic Drugs

Your immune system helps you fight off infection. But with Eczema, it tends to overreact. So it gets triggered when there’s nothing to protect against, and that leads to flare-ups. Biologic drugs block this immune system response to keep it in check. Dupilumab (Dupixent), which gets injected under your skin, is the only biologic drug approved for Eczema.

Antihistamines

If you have severe itching that won’t stop, your doctor may suggest drugs called antihistamines. You usually take them by mouth, and you can get over-the-counter or prescription versions. Some types of antihistamines make you drowsy. That might be a problem during the day, but could be a benefit if you get itchy at night.

Corticosteroids

If you have severe eczema that’s hard to control, you might get stronger corticosteroids than the ones you rub on your skin. Depending on the type, you either take these as pills or your doctor gives you a shot. They’re very effective, but you can’t use them for too long because the side effects can be harmful.

Antibiotics

You have bacteria on your skin all the time. That’s normal! It’s part of being a healthy human. But with dry skin that might have cracks or sores, those bacteria can get in your body instead of just on it. That’s when you might need antibiotics. They don’t help with eczema, but they treat the infections it can cause. If you need antibiotics, it would probably only be for a short time. In some cases, you may take them longer to help limit skin bacteria.

Wet Dressings

With medium to severe eczema, you might also get what’s called a wet dressing or wet wrap treatment. For this, you get bandages with corticosteroids wrapped around the flare-up. In some cases, it can work within a few hours. Often, you get this treatment at a hospital because it’s a lot of work and takes a nurse who’s skilled at it. But you can ask your doctor about how to do one at home.

Light Therapy

Also called phototherapy, your doctor uses a machine to expose your skin to special types of light. The most common one for eczema is narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB), though other types might be used in different cases.

You usually need two or three treatments a week for 1-2 months before you see results. Each session lasts just a few minutes at most. It tends to work well, but it ages your skin and raises your risk of skin cancer.

Taming Stress

If stress triggers your flare-ups, it can help to find ways to better manage it. While you can do your best to avoid stressful situations, it’s bound to pop up. You can work with a therapist to learn relaxation techniques and skills to manage stress. You can also try some things on your own, such as mediation, yoga, tai chi, and progressive muscle relaxation. The key is to practice regularly so you get the most benefit.

Read More about What’s Life With Eczema Like?