The scaly, itchy skin of eczema not only makes you uncomfortable, it can negatively affect how you feel about your appearance. While you may not always know when to expect an eczema flare-up, there are things you can do to keep them under control.
Experienced dermatologist, Lisa Hitchins, MD, understands how much of an impact eczema can have on your life, and she offers the following tips to help you deal with eczema flare-ups more effectively.
Start with your triggers
Because most eczema flare-ups start due to contact with allergens and other irritants, it’s important that you identify exactly what substances are responsible for the inflammation in your skin.
While you may know some of your triggers, you may benefit from allergy testing to figure out the rest. Once you understand what is causing eczema flare-ups, take every precaution you can to avoid them.
Stay proactive with skin care
Very dry, itchy skin common with eczema can be avoided by using a daily moisturizer. There are many lotions and creams available in the marketplace that have the stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association for calming eczema-prone skin.
You need to ensure you apply moisturizers immediately after bathing, swimming, or when you spend time in the sun. You should also select products that already contain sunscreen to protect you from additional skin damage related to ultraviolet (UV) ray exposure.
Wear the right type of clothing
Stay away from heavy, scratchy fabrics that don’t allow your skin to breathe. Rather than heavy sweaters and other bulky clothing, opt for lightweight cottons that are soft.
You can dress in layers to stay warm but not overheated. Make sure to wash your clothing in hypoallergenic soaps and avoid perfumed fabric softeners that can further irritate your skin.
Be on alert for infection
It’s bad enough that you have to endure the pain and scaly look of your skin, but if your eczema blisters become infected, you may face much more serious health issues.
Check your skin daily for signs of redness, heat, or pus-filled bumps or blisters. If you suspect you have an infection, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Hitchins without delay.
Stay on top of your stress
Since stress can be a factor in the outbreak of eczema-related skin issues, work on stress management techniques to keep your stress in check.
Take a walk every day to boost your overall wellness. If stress is too much to manage on your own, seek a professional’s help.
Learn to cope with reality
Eczema is a life-long condition that you can’t cure. Even if you do everything right, you may still experience eczema outbreaks.
The best thing you can do for your peace of mind and the health of your skin is to schedule routine visits with Dr. Hitchins and follow her recommendations for daily skin care.
You must also accept your condition and the fact that an eczema flare-up will likely occur in your future. With the right resources and the support of your loved ones and Dr. Hitchins, you can thrive in spite of your eczema diagnosis.
For help with managing your eczema, schedule a consultation at Dermatology Center of Northwest Houston today by calling the office or by using the online booking feature.