6 Tips To Prevent And Treat Eczema Flares
Skin is one of the largest organs and is a natural barrier to external pathogens. Also, it is the first level of contact with environmental stressors and harmful agents. Due to these reasons, you may experience irritating and itchy skin now and then. While the irritant conditions may be normal, they can also be due to certain inflammatory conditions like Eczema.
Eczema is an inflammation that makes your skin itchy, inflamed, and dry. Read on to learn more about eczema and the effective ways to deal with recurrent flares.
What Is Eczema?
Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a type of skin inflammation characterized by recurrent irritated, red, inflamed, and itchy skin. It can be of different types, namely dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. Irrespective of the type of eczema, it can lead to excessive itching and irritation around the affected region.
Also, the condition may arise during adolescent life and take up a recurrent pattern. Some risk factors that can trigger the flares are an overactive immune system, family history, and exposure to allergens. Along with this, it can result in excessive emotional stress and deranged mental health.
Tips To Prevent Eczema Flares
While there are multiple triggers for your eczema flare-ups, you can keep them from coming with simple and effective measures.
1. Try Effective Remedies
Are you aware of the remedies that may help deal with eczema and improve your skin texture? Natural remedies like aloe vera gel can be a great aid to counter your eczematous skin. Also, you may consider other extracts like apple cider vinegar or colloidal oatmeal to nourish your skin. If you cannot get any help through natural remedies, you may want to consult an expert.
Most eczema treatment options include a variety of steroidal preparations like a cortisone body wash or cream. This helps limit the inflammatory process and promote skin healing in the long run.
2. Keep Your Skin Moist
One of the most common triggers for eczema flare-ups is an excessively dry skin type. Most people with dry skin tend to experience recurrent eczema for multiple reasons. The dry nature facilitates exposure to certain environmental allergens and bacteria. Further, this can initiate an inflammatory process and make you susceptible to eczema. You might want to keep your skin moist and hydrated to avoid such eczematous changes. Try applying your moisturizer after a shower and use a humidifier to increase the humidity of your surroundings.
3. Stay Away From Possible Irritants
Do you know that any product you use daily can be the reason behind your eczema triggers? You must try to identify the possible triggers and limit their usage as soon as possible. Talking about the irritants, any soap, detergent, cream, lotion, or food can cause recurrent eczema. Hence, you need to observe the timing of your flare-ups and the products you used around that time. Another tip is to limit the usage of products containing artificial scents and dyes.
4. Avoid Exposure To Dust
Most people experience eczema after exposure to dust, dirt, or even pet dander. Small particles suspended in the air can irritate your skin and initiate an eczema flare-up. Hence, you must limit your exposure to dust, dirt, or sand as much as possible. Try to maintain proper cleanliness and hygiene in your living area. That way, it helps eliminate the dust particles and other allergens that can trigger eczema. You can also consider installing an air conditioner or furnace that traps the suspended particles in your surroundings.
5. Lower Your Stress Levels
A fast-paced lifestyle can predispose you to long-term stress and anxiety issues. Such a stressful lifestyle has an impact on your eczema flare-ups and frequency as well. If you experience constant flare-ups, you must try to control your stress levels. For this purpose, you can consider guided meditation or different breathing techniques. Such techniques help relax your mind and unwind the anxious thoughts after a long day.
You can also try to find and reduce the possible areas that may contribute to the daily stressors. Not only will it help prevent eczematous reactions, but it also contributes to long-term wellness.
6. Practice Shower Etiquette
Almost everybody likes to take long and warm showers after a long day at work. However, such showering patterns may be the reason behind your eczema flare-ups. Long, hot showers can dry up your skin and make them prone to inflammation. Also, using fragrant bath products containing multiple artificial ingredients may be another reason for recurrent eczema. You must practice a safe, hygienic, and healthy bathing regime to control eczema. This involves caring for your bathing duration, products used, and other showering practices.
Bottom Line
Health depends upon different immune mechanisms that guard your body and prevent infections. One of the most crucial things to consider for long-term health is the skin integrity and texture. Your skin may experience irritation due to environmental stressors and lifestyle practices.
Further, it can predispose you to different skin conditions like eczema. You can avoid eczema flare-ups by managing the exposure to allergens like dust and dirt particles. Also, practice hygienic measures during baths and avoid using fragrant or heavy bathing products. Make it a point to practice stress-relieving practices like meditation or breathing techniques.