Eczema, also called contact dermatitis, is an itchy, scaly rash that can occur anywhere on the body. It is the skin's excessive reaction to some type of allergy. The excessive reaction leads to long-term skin inflammation and the itchy scaly patches. In addition to itching and scaling, the skin may blister, change color or appear dry and leathery. In adult eczema the most common areas for the rash are the insides of the elbows and knees.
Eczema is a skin problem made worse by some everyday occurrences. Several things can make eczema worse: exposure to water, environmental irritants such as wool clothing, and dry skin that often occurs in winter. If the symptoms of eczema are mainly dry, leathery skin or scaly patches, eczema creams or ointments can help.
It's important to limit the length of showers and baths. Extensive bathing strips the skin of moisture. The temperature of the water should not be hot, only warm or cool. Use only mild unscented soap and use very little of it. Do not use rough wash clothes or mesh bathing puffs. Pat, do not rub, the skin dry. Apply the moisturizing eczema cream or ointment to skin that is slightly damp or, at least, within three minutes of drying. This is important because it is necessary to trap the moisture from the shower or bath onto the skin. Creams and ointments do not add moisture to the skin. They work by trapping moisture against the skin. Continue to apply the cream or ointment throughout the day.
What to Look for
When looking for an over the counter eczema cream or ointment, remember that simple is best. Products with a lot of ingredients may make the eczema worse or cause further allergic responses in the skin. The more greasy or oily the feel of the eczema ointment or cream, the more likely it is to trap moisture onto the skin. An expensive eczema cream is not necessarily the best. Petroleum jelly is a simple, effective and inexpensive product.
Choose an eczema product that will fit into your lifestyle. A thick, oily product may be beneficial. However, if you fail to use it because it damages your clothing, it isn't the product for you. Perhaps the thicker eczema ointment can be used at night after cleansing, and a lighter eczema cream used during the day.
Common Pitfalls
If possible, avoid products with fragrances. Rose water, a common fragrance in skin care products, may actually dry out the skin more. The same is true for lanolin and glycerin, ingredients frequently found in moisturizing creams.
Do not depend only on creams or ointment. It is essential to gently wash the affected areas once a day. Then apply the cream or ointment immediately and throughout the day.
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