How To Ease And Prevent Eczema Flare-ups

15 to 20% of the people around the world experience eczema. It is common in young children including infants but can occur at any age. While some outgrow the disease as they get older, other children continue to suffer into adulthood. Children with family history of allergies, asthma, and hay fever are prone to developing the disease but it could affect anybody.

Red, dry, and intolerable itchy skin are the common symptoms of eczema. However sores, blisters, fluid discharges, and cracked skin may also occur due to scratching. In some cases, there is pus or yellowish to greenish discharge coming out of the skin which indicates infection. Other signs of infection are fever, cut-like pain, and inflamed swollen skin.

There is no specific cause of eczema but it is triggered by the body’s overreaction when exposed to irritants which could be anything. Dust, pollens, fur, sweat, food, detergents, fabrics, fragrances, stress, or temperature. Patients have different triggering factors which are sometimes difficult to determine. Patch testing is one of the most effective ways to identify patients’ irritants but this only works for contact eczema. Or the type of eczema that is triggered by direct contact in the skin. For instance, soaps or jewelry.

Eczema has no cure. The first and best way to manage it is to avoid the irritants. Unfortunately, many people remain clueless of what triggers their eczema flare-ups, the period when symptoms appear on the skin. This makes it very hard for the patients to handle eczema as flare-ups could happen anytime. When not managed well it can result to being bedbound for days. Or in a hospital for weeks because of skin infection.

Having eczema requires thorough attention to daily routines and activities. Good skin care is a must. Being mindful to every product that is applied on skin. Carefully choosing mild soaps, detergents, perfumes, clothes, and makeup to ensure they are gentle enough for sensitive skin. Avoiding foods that can cause allergies such as seashells, eggs, shrimps, and citrus fruits. Keeping away from low humidity areas as it can dry out the epidermis. Making sure not to sweat as it can make the itchiness worse. And applying moisturizer and anti-itch cream as often as needed.

If the symptoms continue to persist after doing the precautions mentioned above. Or if the flare-up is strong enough to interfere with sleep and daily life. It is best to see a doctor for better intervention. You may be prescribed with a steroid topical cream like Hydrocortisone to relieve inflammation and itchiness. For severe outbreaks, oral corticosteroids or a steroid shot may be given. Your dermatologist may also prescribe antibiotics if there is infection. Some cases of eczema are advised to have light therapy from the sun or with UV ray device to ease the skin outbreaks.

Symptoms of eczema usually appear in the obvious areas. Cheeks and around the eyes (common in infants), neck, inner elbows, back of knees, arms, and legs.  This is why many patients with eczema suffered from bullying and discrimination. Some even find difficulty in getting the job that they want because of their physical appearance and flare-ups that can sometimes affect their productivity.  Not every boss tolerates “Sorry, I can’t come to work today because my skin is burning”. Flare-ups could be really hard. Some patients describe it as being on fire. Sometimes the skin feels so raw like it has no outer layer that even taking a shower or wearing clothes can be very painful.

Eczema can be a life-long daily battle. Understanding the disease better is important not just to learn how to manage it but to spread awareness. People should know that this disease is not contagious and it does not define who a person is.

Isabella Whitmore likes to write about skincare, health, household, and family. Some of her work is at https://electrickettlesplus.com, an appliance website that offers a wide selection of electric kettles.