Eczema

What is eczema?

Eczema also known as dermatitis is a skin condition which makes your skin itchy, dry and sometimes flaky. Unfortunately, it is not exactly known what causes it however it can sometimes be triggered by an allergy, underlying health conditions, stress, climate, infection or changes with your hormones. Eczema also has the tendency to run in families.

What are the symptoms of eczema?

Eczema can affect anywhere on the body.

• Itchy skin
• Redness
• Small bumps
• Flaking or scaling skin.

What can be done to reduce symptoms?

Due to the chronic nature of eczema self-management is very important with eczema treatment. It is important to recognize flares or potential flares early as this can avoid eczema worsening.

Things that can exacerbate eczema include:

• Not moisturizing skin and allowing to dry out. Being in dry air can also cause the skin to dry out quicker.
• Being too hot or sweating often. Showering in cooler temperatures will soothe the skin. When drying use a patting technique not rubbing to prevent scratching to the sin.
• Stress or worry.
• Sudden temperature changes especially to cold or dry environments.
• Harsh soaps or cleaning products including irritating products like; perfumed skin care. Hypoallergenic products are recommended.
• Wool, synthetic or tight fabrics. Wear cotton or soft fabrics which prevent scratchy fibres and allow the skin to breath.
• Keep fingernails short which helps prevent scratching breaking the skin

What are some of the common irritants in eczema prone skin?

Soaps, detergents, chemicals, nickel, rubber, latex, wool, synthetic fabric, fragrance.

Basic at home treatments

Cleansers: use a soap free/bath oil with lukewarm water. Fragranced body washes, essential oils or body scrubs should be avoided as these can exacerbate symptoms.

Moisturising: eczema prone skin requires regular moisturizing. This keeps the skin hydrated and reduces itching symptoms. Moisturising in the main stay of treatment and should be applied at regular intervals all throughout the day; even when the skin is not displaying eczema symptoms.

Oral antihistamines: can work to relieve itching. Anti-drowsy antihistamines like can be taken throughout the day to prevent itching whilst sedating antihistamines like can help reduce itching overnight when patients struggle to sleep.