Eczema Flare Ups: How to Handle

Friday, February 3rd

Eczema is an itchy, aggravating skin condition that results in irritated, red, thickened and scaly skin. While there is no cure for eczema, having eczema is not a 24-hour 7-day a week sentence. The symptoms associated with eczema occur in cycles with periods of flare ups followed by periods of relief.

During an eczema flare up, the skin becomes extremely irritated and the skin rash described above occurs. Some of the most common places for flare ups to occur are on the face, elbows, knees, wrists, hands, chest, neck, and ankles. Most often these flare ups are most severe in the folds of skin such as on the inside of the elbow or the back of the knee.

As mentioned before, there is no cure for eczema. So the focus for eczema relief is to prevent flare ups and to lessen their severity when they do occur. This is done through a combination of medication and behavioral changes.

Since eczema is triggered by various things in the environment, the best course of action is to avoid things that trigger eczema flare ups. While no two people's triggers will be exactly the same, there are some triggers that are pretty common among eczema patients: soaps, perfumes, smoke, paints, pollen, pets, sweat, fabrics like wool, and food allergies.

In addition to avoiding triggers, proper skin care and lifestyle and diet guidelines are also needed to avoid eczema flare ups. You may also need to use certain medications to keep your eczema under control.

Skin Care

The key to preventing eczema flare ups through skin care is to avoid any skin contact with your known triggers and by making sure that your skin is properly moisturized at all times. Take cooler, shorter showers to prevent drying, and drink plenty of water. A humidifier might also be a great idea especially during the cold, dry winter months. Be sure to wear loose, soft clothing that does not irritate your skin. Wear sunscreen and avoid activities that will result in heavy sweating.

Diet and Lifestyle

Since 10 percent of all eczema sufferers experience flare ups due to food allergies, it might be a good idea to find out what foods you are allergic to and avoid them until you narrow down the ones, if any, that are contributing to your eczema flare ups. You should also avoid other things that you know that you are allergic to as they could be contributing to your eczema problem. Pay attention to the weather and take care of your skin accordingly. Stay indoors on overly hot days and bundle up on cold ones to prevent flare ups.

In addition to all of this, take all of your medications and use all of your creams as prescribed. While it may be easy to become lazy during periods of relief, you may avoid more flare ups by sticking to your prevention routine. And remember what they say, "An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure."

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Eczema Product FAQ

What is eczema?

Eczema is an itchy inflammation of the skin. The main symptom is a rash that is usually found on the arms or behind the knees, but it can appear anywhere on the body. The skin will usually feel dry and bumpy and may appear cracked.

What causes eczema?

Eczema is usually developed in early childhood and is most common with people who have a family history of the condition. There are certain triggers that can cause eczema to flare up like certain soaps, detergents, wool, dry skin, heat, or emotional stress. Allergens like dust mites, molds, pollen, or food can also be the reason that eczema appears. It is often hard to identify the exact reason that you or your child has eczema.

Is eczema a harmful condition?

If you have eczema, it will not cause any harm to the other areas of your body unless it's left alone and eventually causes a skin infection. The main reason this is a condition people want to get rid of is because it can be extremely uncomfortable. Itching may be intense and scratching only further irritates the skin and causes sores.

How can I get rid of eczema?

Experts usually recommend avoiding soap and other irritants if you're experiencing eczema. These can dry out the skin and make the problem worse. To fully heal from eczema, you may be offered prescription medicines from a doctor, but these could be expensive. Fortunately, there are many highly-rated, safely-developed options you can find online to find fast relief from your eczema.

Are eczema products safe?

Yes! The eczema products available online are developed specifically to nourish skin and heal eczema without causing any further damage or side effects. Some formulas are made with 100% natural ingredients derived from plant sources. You're more likely to find a treatment without harsh chemicals online than if you use a prescription from a doctor.

How much do eczema products cost?

Effective eczema treatments can cost as little as $10! Depending on how severe your case is and how many areas of eczema need to be treated, you may need to purchase a few bottles of an oil or cream, but you'll find that no matter the route you go, you won't pay much. Eczema is a condition that can be treated affordably and quickly.

How are eczema products applied?

Most eczema products come in the form of a cream, serum, or ointment. They are applied directly onto the skin, covering the affected areas. You might be recommended to use some products more than once per day for maximum results, but it takes as little as 1 or 2 minutes for a treatment.

What if I try an eczema product that doesn't work for me?

If you don't have success with the eczema product you use, check to see if it came with a money-back guarantee. Many companies stand by their products with an offer to get a refund if you weren't satisfied with your results. If not, you probably didn't lose too much money since eczema products are so affordable; try a new cream or ointment in hopes that it works better.