Controlling Eczema Symptoms With Good Skin Care

When you have a flare-up of eczema, the symptoms may spread beyond the elbows or knees. This can be due to scratching itchy skin, which causes more inflammation, or continued exposure to an irritant. You may also develop an infection that travels to other parts of the skin.

Treating flare-ups is the best way to prevent the spread of eczema-related inflammation and complications. Smart skincare is key for controlling eczema. This involves proper moisturization and avoiding things that can inflame or damage your delicate skin.

This article explains how to care for your skin and what to do when eczema flare-ups won't ease.

Eczema-Friendly Soaps and Cleansers

Most soaps, especially detergent-type cleansing bars, strip the skin of moisture and dry it out, which can exacerbate eczema. Choosing an eczema-friendly soap or cleanser can help to limit moisture loss. Some plant-based options are less harmful for people with eczema.

Gentle cleansers that contain emollients feed rather than dry the skin. Look for products that are fragrance-free or labeled moisturizing or for sensitive skin types. If your skin feels tight, dry, or itchy after using a particular product, it's not the right cleanser for you.

Remember, squeaky clean is not what you're going for. Instead, the cleanser you choose should gently wash away dirt, oil, and sweat, and leave your skin feeling clean and healthy. Your pharmacist or dermatologist can recommend brands to try.

For infants, toddlers, and young children, you may choose to avoid cleansing products altogether and opt for plain water baths only. Older children, teens, and adults may also avoid all-over soap-ups and use them only on the hands, armpits, and groin area.

How to Wash Skin When You Have Eczema

You would think that the simple act of putting water on the skin would be a good thing, but the opposite is true. Water evaporates after coming in contact with the skin and takes away many of the natural oils (known as a natural moisturizing factor, or NMF) meant to protect it. The quality of your water (hard or soft) also has effects.

Sometimes, the more you soak your skin, the drier and more damaged it becomes. When you wash, keep the following in mind to protect your delicate skin:

• Use warm water, as hot water strips more skin oils.
• Keep your baths or showers short (less than 10 minutes).
• Pat the skin dry with a towel, rather than rubbing it vigorously.

Consider using antibacterial gels for hand washing, as they better protect your natural moisturizer.

Moisturizing Skin With Eczema

Regular use of moisturizing products is a key component in treating eczema, as well as preventing flare-ups. Moisturizers should be applied, at the very least, twice daily. Ideally, you should apply them as often as necessary to keep the skin moisturized.

In particular, use a good moisturizer within three minutes of washing your hands or body (while the skin is still slightly damp). This prevents water loss from evaporation and seals in moisture.

When choosing a moisturizer, it is important that it does not contain perfumes, fragrances, or essential oils that can irritate sensitive or inflamed skin. Moisturizing creams may also be more effective than lotions.

While they tend to be a bit heavy and sticky feeling, don't discount ointments such as Aquaphor and even plain Vaseline. These help seal in moisture and protect the skin.

All moisturizers have their pros and cons. Depending on the condition of your skin, you may want to consider the following:

• Moisturizers for scaly eczema are a good choice if you have a lot of flaking but no breaks in the skin (they can sting if there are any wounds or openings).
• Emollient moisturizers are a good option if you are in the middle of a flare-up. They are non-irritating and readily available in most drugstores.
• Ceramide moisturizers are excellent options because they both soothe the skin and may help it heal faster during a flare-up. However, they're generally quite costly.

Avoiding Irritations and Allergens

You'll want to avoid allergens and irritants that cause symptoms with your eczema-prone skin. It's especially vulnerable to the effects of personal care products, like soaps, bath products, makeup, and aftershave. Fragrance is a big factor, so look for fragrance-free skincare options.

Keep in mind that all irritants that contact the skin may provoke a response. Clothing and laundry, for example, can be sources of irritation when you have eczema.

• Wear 100% cotton clothing, and never wool next to your skin.
• Choose loose clothing and avoid tight fits.
• Use laundry detergent that is fragrance- and dye-free.
• Remove the tags or lining seams that can irritate skin.

Also, consider your sheets, blankets, and other fabrics to which you're exposed. Remember that 80% of contact dermatitis episodes are caused by other allergens or irritants that include:

• Metals, such as jewelry or zippers on clothing
• Nail polish chemicals
• Thimerosal, a preservative sometimes found in topical antibiotics applied to the skin

Protecting Skin from the Sun

Whether you have eczema or not, sun protection is always an important skincare step. Besides the obvious sunburn, excessive sun exposure can cause premature aging of the skin and can lead to the development of skin cancer.

Sunscreens pose a special challenge for those with eczema, though, because they often can irritate eczema-prone skin and trigger a flare. To reduce the chance of skin irritation:

• Choose a sunscreen product formulated for sensitive skin or for babies.
• Look for sunscreens that use natural active ingredients such as zinc oxide.
• Test any new sunscreen on a small area of skin to ensure it doesn't irritate your skin before using it over your entire body.

If you need help choosing an appropriate sunscreen product, ask your healthcare provider for recommendations.

Also, be aware that heat, humidity, and sweat can be an eczema trigger for some people. Spending too much time out in the sun may initiate or worsen a flare.

Avoiding the Itch-Scratch Cycle

Scratching your eczema itch can lead to what's called the itch-scratch cycle. The itching leads you to scratch, which makes your symptoms worse, which leads to more itchiness. To avoid or break the cycle:

• Use skin cleansers with low pH (more acidic) content.
• Apply cold compresses.
• Pat the skin rather than scratching it.
• Try a home remedy like apple cider vinegar compresses or oatmeal baths.

You can also try taking note of specific times and situations that cause you to scratch more, like itching when you sweat or itching at night.

Preventing or Treating Infections

Skin infections are common in people who have eczema and its symptom flare-ups, and they are the most common complication of eczema. Changes to your skin barrier, along with scratching, make the skin vulnerable to Staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus bacteria.

Antibiotics are used to treat infection but there's no evidence to suggest they offer a preventive benefit. The use of Bactroban (mupirocin, a topical antibiotic) and bleach baths may help. A weak bleach solution (a half-cup of regular 6% bleach to 40 gallons of water) used twice a week works as an antiseptic and fights staph infection.

Antifungal agents or viral treatments also may be needed. Good personal hygiene and handwashing techniques can help to limit exposure to pathogens.

While there are few prevention options, studies have consistently shown a benefit from probiotic use. It's especially recommended during pregnancy and lactation, or in infants, when there's a higher risk of developing eczema. Omega-3 fatty acids also may offer benefits.

Summary

Eczema flare-ups can lead to itchy skin, infection, and more. Proper skincare is a significant part of managing eczema. Moisturizers are important, as is careful skin washing.

Because the skin barrier is compromised, it is incredibly sensitive to any skincare or cosmetic product that is used, as well as laundry soaps and other allergens. A flare-up can lead to an infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics like Bactroban or antifungal medication.

Fragrance in products is a significant cause of eczema flare-ups, and finding the right products for your skin or your child's skin can take some trial and error. Your healthcare provider can help guide you in creating an appropriate skincare routine for eczema.