Best Way to Treat Eczema
Because eczema is a skin problem that plagues nearly 6 million Americans, different treatment and relief methods are constantly being researched, developed, and tested. There are synthetic methods that involve intense moisturizing creams, prescription methods that can be obtained through your doctor, and there are natural methods that range from warm salt baths to putting kiwi fruit on the affected skin.
Eczema is the general term used to describe a skin rash that: appears sporadically, is red, inflamed, dry, and itchy. This skin condition is the result of an allergic reaction and can be caused by an array of different allergens. The problem with eczema is that is has no definitive cause and therefore no known cure.
If you or someone close to you suffers from this rash-like skin condition and you’re wondering how to treat eczema then we’ve come up with some of our favorite treatment methods ranging from synthetic to natural variations.
1. Take an allergy test with an allergy specialist
This test should include dust mites, foods, pollens, soaps, detergents, and pet dander. Dust mites are an extremely common cause for eczema but other factors can draw similar allergic reactions as well.
2. Check with your doctor for the right prescription medication
Often times doctors will prescribe steroid creams or immunosuppressants to keep your body from reacting so intensely to the allergens. Usually prescription methods are quite powerful and should generally be used in small doses and under the direction of the doctor who prescribed them.
3. Keep your skin moist
This is one of the most important ways you can provide relief to eczema affected skin and put your skin on the right track to healing. Here are some ideas to help you keep your skin hydrated:
• Before you bathe (especially before a bath) cover yourself with a moisturizer (aquaphor or Vaseline work quite well). Instead of washing the moisturizer off with soap, just soak and let the water remove the majority of the product. This way, your skin will be kept protected from the drying effect of the water.
• Always pat your skin dry after bathing, rubbing can cause irritation.
• Apply a moisturizer again after bathing and several times a day if necessary. Oatmeal products act as good moisturizers.
• Use non-biological washing detergent so you don’t run the risk of evoking an allergic reaction.
4. Keep fingernails short and never scratch
having long fingernails can worsen the effects of scratching. Scratching the affected area will only aggravate it more and can lead to cracking, bleeding, infection, and eventual scarring.
5. If you have eczema on your face never apply make-up over it unless it is 100% under control.
Your make-up could actually be the allergen that is the cause for your eczema or if not, it could be aggravating your skin and causing your eczema to worsen.
All of these treatment ideas and general tips for how to treat eczema come from people who have either dealt with eczema themselves or know people close to them who have had to deal with it. As a general rule on how to treat eczema, keep your skin moisturized and never scratch the affected area. It is important to take care of your eczema so that your skin can heal itself and become smooth, vibrant, and healthy once again.