Eczema is a general term for an itchy skin rash. It is a chronic condition that is not contagious and can run in families. There are different types of eczema, including atopic, contact or seborrheic dermatitis, nummular and seborrheic eczema. There are several measures you can take to protect your skin if you have eczema.
Clothing
Make sure that you wash clothing using detergents to which you are not allergic, or that will irritate your skin. Sometimes, it might be necessary to wash clothing twice in order to completely remove an irritating detergent from clothing. It is also advisable to use cotton clothing rather than synthetic fibers or wool, since they can irritating if you have sensitive skin.
Protect Your Hands
Exposure to certain chemicals or cleaning products can irritate the skin and exacerbate your eczema. If you use chemicals at work or for cleaning, you should use gloves that do not irritate the skin. Vinyl and plastic gloves are available. It is important to protect your hands with the appropriate gloves from any chemical that you are using.
Bathing and Moisturizing
When bathing, do not use hot water as it can irritate your skin. Use a mild soap and don't scrub your skin too hard. Also towel dry your skin gently following your bath. Moisturizing after a bath while your skin is still a little damp is important to seal in the moisture according to Familydoctor.org.
Avoid Irritants
Some people are sensitive to certain soaps, chemicals, cleaners, or other household chemicals and products. It is important that you identify the products to which you are sensitive, and avoid these irritants as much as possible. For some people with eczema, allergies to certain foods may exacerbate symptoms. It is important that these triggers are identified as well, so that the appropriate measures can be taken to avoid them.
Medications
Over-the-counter medications may help with symptoms. According to Medline, antihistamines are available over the counter to help with itching, while there are some creams that contain a small amount of steroids to help with inflammation. Some people may need stronger prescription medication to control their symptoms. There are oral medications, gels, lotions, ointments and solutions. Some examples are topical or oral steroids, topical immunomodulators, coal tar or anthralin. Ask your doctor or dermatologist what medication treatment plan is right for you.
Stress
It has been found that persons with eczema may have specific emotional triggers that exacerbate their symptoms. It is important to identify if there is an emotional connection. For most, controlling stress or having a way to deal with stressful events can help with controlling symptoms and flare ups. Persons under a severe amount of stress might benefit from speaking to a psychologist.
