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Living with Eczema

Living with Eczema

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WHAT IS A FLARE-UP?  |  CAUSES  |  WHEN TO CALL A DOCTOR  |  TREATMENT  |   PREVENTING FLARE-UPS

How to ease Eczema Flare-ups

When you have a flare-up of itchy, irritated skin caused by eczema, you want to do whatever you can to relieve or avoid the rashes. There are numerous options available now for managing eczema.

What Is An Eczema Flare-Up?

Eczema symptoms, which often involve a red, itchy skin rash, have returned. You may also notice the following:

  • Inflamed reddish-brown or grey areas, particularly on the hands, feet, chest, neck, and inside the elbow and knee bends.
  • Itching that gets worse at night
  • Scratching can cause dry skin to become raw or inflamed.
  • Rounded lumps that may crust or leak liquids
  • Thickened and cracked skin

These symptoms may disappear for a while before reappearing. Eczema can be either chronic or long-term. It could also flare up when you touch something or in particular circumstances.

What Causes an Eczema Flare-Up?

Triggers differ from person to person, and there may be a time delay between the trigger and the onset of symptoms. Sweat, wool and polyester clothes, pet dander, hot and cold weather, and harsh soaps are all major triggers. Other options include:

  • Dry skin. It may become scaly, tight, and easy to crack, resulting in a flare-up.
  • Stress. Emotional stress can cause eczema symptoms in some people. Doctors aren’t sure why this is, but there are treatments to help reduce stress in your life, including mind-body and meditation practises lifestyle changes, and therapy approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy. If stress is a cause of your eczema, talk to your doctor about ways to manage it.
  • Irritants. Hand and dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, body wash, and home cleaners and disinfectants are examples of such things. Fruit, vegetable, and even animal juices can be triggers for some people. Among the other common irritants are:
    • Cigarette smoke
    • Metals like nickel
    • Perfume and other fragrances
    • Antibacterial ointments like neomycin and bacitracin
    • Formaldehyde (in some disinfectants, vaccines, and glues)
    • Cocamidopropyl betaine (thickener in lotions and shampoos)
    • Paraphenylene-diamine (in dyes, temporary tattoos, and elsewhere)
    • Isothiazolinone (antibacterial in baby wipes and other personal products

When to call a doctor

If your eczema symptoms are severe enough to disrupt your sleep or everyday life, or if they persist despite home therapies, see your doctor. If you have a skin infection with a fever, you should see your doctor very once. Infection can be identified by red streaks, yellow scabs, and pus.

Treating Eczema Flare-Ups

Consult your doctor to determine the best treatment options for you. Treatments that work are based on your symptoms, age, family history, other health issues, and lifestyle. Most eczema remedies only provide temporary relief.

Your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream to relieve the itching and remove the rash, or calcineurin inhibitors, such as pimecrolimus (Elidel) or tacrolimus (Protopic), to protect your skin and prevent eczema flare-ups. Hydrocortisone cream is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that relieves minor itching. Eucrisa ointment is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory topical therapy for mild to severe atopic dermatitis that may help reduce redness and irritation.

Apply steroid cream to a serious outbreak and then wrap it in a wet bandage to keep it moist. In addition, light therapy from the sun or a UV ray device in your doctor’s office may help to reduce outbreaks.

Oral antihistamines can help with eczema irritation that keeps you awake at night. Diphenhydramine can help you sleep and eliminate itching. Cetirizine, fexofenadine, and other antihistamines relieve itching and flare-ups without making you sleepy. They’re all available over-the-counter.

For a severe eczema flare, your doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids or give you a steroid shot. If you scratch your itchy rash and break the skin, antibiotics may be required to avoid infection.

Dupilumab (Dupixent) may be recommended for moderate to severe eczema that is not managed by topical drugs or cannot be treated by topical therapies. This medication is given as an injection under the skin every two weeks.

Treat your eczema with the help of your doctor. If you use eczema medications or treatments for too long or too often, they can create negative effects.

Prevent Flares, Feel Better

Eczema flare-ups can be triggered by a variety of factors. It’s possible that you don’t have the same triggers as someone else. It’s worthwhile to figure out what makes your skin respond.

Dry skin. Your skin might become rough and irritating if it becomes too dry. It could possibly break. This may allow bacteria or allergies to enter. For many people, dry skin is an eczema trigger. Extreme temperature swings can also be stressful to your skin.

Tips: Keep your skin moisturised, especially in the winter when the air is dry. When sleeping, use a humidifier to moisten the air in your room. After you’ve finished showering or bathing, apply body lotion. To relieve eczema itching and moisturise your skin, soak in a warm bath with a few drops of bath oil or colloidal oatmeal. Find out what the finest eczema lotion is.

Irritants. Everyday products might irritate your skin. Soaps, cleansers, body washes, laundry detergent, lotions, and even certain foods can cause eczema flare-ups.

Tips: Consult your doctor to determine what is irritating your skin. They can see how certain products affect your skin. Keep track of anything you use that causes a flare-up when you contact it. Choose soaps, cleansers, and laundry detergents that don’t have any additional fragrances or dyes. These are frequent causes of eczema.

Clothing. Eczema can be triggered by rough, tight, or irritating fabrics. Overly warm or heavy clothing can make you sweat and produce a flare.

Tips: Choose soft, cooling clothing that is gentle on your skin. If wool or other textiles irritate you, avoid wearing them. To stay warm this winter, look for wool-free clothing. Wear loose clothing that won’t irritate your skin.

Dust, smoke, pet dander, and sand are all contaminants. Airborne particles might irritate your skin or cause a rash. You could have an allergy to cat or dog dander. Perhaps cigarette smoke or a dusty environment is to blame.

Tips: Maintain a clean environment in your house or office. Dust often. Do not smoke or associate with those who do. If you suspect you’re sensitive to pet hair or dander, consult your doctor or an allergist, a specialist in allergy treatment.

Anxiety and stress. Worry can aggravate your eczema. Itchy, painful skin can also be stressful. If you don’t break the cycle, it can become an everlasting one.

Tips: In times of stress, find ways to unwind. Make sure you get enough sleep at night so you can wake up feeling rejuvenated. Aromatherapy, massage therapy, and warm bath soaks can all help you relax. If you can’t keep your stress under control, seek help.

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