Skin conditions can make you miserable. They make it impossible to sleep, live day to day life, and even find clothes that are comfortable to wear. Eczema is painful. It does itch beyond what seems possible. It is the itching that can lead to more problems. Your fingernails can have bacteria under them naturally. When you scratch, you break the skin and introduce the bacteria. You can get secondary infections that cause even more problems. Usually, it is at that point that you must go to the doctor and get a prescription to lessen the symptoms.
What is Eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition that causes itchy patches of skin. It can be caused by food allergies, animal allergies, or even allergies from the laundry detergent that you use. Stress can make it worse. The shampoos, body washes, and even lotions that you have can make it worse. Sometimes you can completely control it by changing your diet and products that you consume. This isn’t easy. It can mean a whole lifestyle change.
What are the Symptoms of Eczema?
Eczema looks like dry patches of skin. They can be oozy or gooey looking. The patches are more likely to appear in the creases of your skin, like your elbow and knees. However, it can appear on the face, scalp, and bottom. Anyone can get eczema, including babies and older individuals. Itching that is overwhelming is the main symptom. This intense itching can be all that you can think about and may even be more than you can deal with. Eczema is often mistaken for psoriasis, poison ivy, or even shingles. The best way to tell the difference is the location of the rash and the ability to control the symptoms.
The Five Products That Could Help You
Going to the doctor is never a bad idea when it comes to having a rash. However, most of the time eczema can be controlled, or managed, with over the counter products. We have spent our time researching the best of the best so that you can cut your research down to what works for you. Of course, not everything works for everyone. These products seem to help most people so we hope that you will find one on the list that will help you.
- Aveeno
Aveeno makes a whole line of eczema products. The washes help clean the area and remove bacteria. There are soaks, baths, and cleaners that not only help to relieve the itching but also help to clean the areas. Aveeno can help to prevent flare-ups because it is hypoallergenic and allergen free. Their line of lotions can also help to relieve the itching. It can help to protect the skin and treat the irritated skin. If you are looking for a product that you can use on a daily basis, this is the most recommended product.
- Cetaphil
Another amazing line is the Cetaphil line. Not only do they avoid the alcohols and irritants that could make eczema worse, but they also have taken the time to add things that are known to help the skin heal. The washes are meant to remove bacteria and germs to prevent secondary infections. The soaks can help to heal and treat the breakouts. The lotions are thick and soothing to help prevent dry skin and keep the skin moisturized and healthy. One of the great things about Cetaphil is that they are fragrance-free yet they leave your skin smelling so fresh and clean.
- Neutrogena
Neutrogena is a well-known line. They have numerous products that do focus on skin health. From makeup to lotion and everything in between, the goal is to prevent. With that being said, not everything that they make is eczema friendly. They do have a specific eczema line that is formulated to treat eczema flare-ups so that they don’t last as long. They also control the itching, burning feeling. Read your labels and you will see which ones are designed to treat and which ones are designed to prevent. Neutrogena is one line that has changed formulas to help rather than designed especially for eczema.
- Vaseline
You may not realize what a help Vaseline can be. It is thick, rich and can help to create a barrier right where you need it. You can apply it right on the patches and it can help you to keep from scratching it. If you don’t like the traditional gel, you can get a newer formula of the creams. It is just as good. The best part of Vaseline is that it is alcohol-free so that it doesn’t cause skin irritation or dry your skin out even more than it already is. Dry skin can cause more issues with eczema.
- Sunflower Oil
You may not have heard of this one, but it is an excellent option for any skin problem but especially eczema. It will give the skin a protective layer that is virtually invisible without a greasy mess. It keeps moisture in and will allow the skin to breathe. The best part is that it is known to be soothing and cooling so that it calms the itch. Not only will it work for eczema, but it is also a great thing to keep on hand in case of poison ivy or poison oak.
Going Beyond Skin Care
These are great products that will help your eczema on a skin level, but if you want to go preventative, there are some things that you can do. For instance, you may need to change the way you eat. Food allergies can cause eczema. The most common culprits are wheat and dairy. If you don’t what you are allergic too, try taking out one type of food for a few days to a week to see if it clears up. Or you could keep a food diary and see if there are any correlations to your eating habits and your flare-ups.
Animal dander is another common cause. You can try to remove yourself from the areas that your dog or cat lays often. Sometimes it is not the animal but rather the products that you use on the animal. Try changing the dog shampoo, flea products, or grooming products that you use. That way you can eliminate the potential causes.
The products that you use on your clothing may be what is giving you skin irritations. The soap that you use in your washer may need to be diluted more. You could try using less of it. You may need to switch to another product. The ones that are allergen free. These types of detergents can help to prevent you from having outbreaks. Laundry detergent, fabric softeners, and even the dryer sheets that you use may have harsh chemicals that leave a residue on your skin. You can get your clothes clean without using these products.
You may not realize that the detergents that you use on your dishes may also be affecting your skin. Try to get all-natural products when possible. Avoid using harsh chemicals in your home. Alternatives like essential oils, vinegar, and allergen-free dish soaps can help with most of the cleaning. Switching when you can bring you relief without sacrificing the cleanliness of your home.
Stress can also cause your body to do crazy things. You may not be able to completely remove your stress, but you can learn to manage it better. For instance, you can pick up a hobby, go to the library and find a good book, or keep a journal to help you process your thoughts. These easy solutions could help you more than you might realize.
When it is Time to Talk to a Doctor
If you can’t find the cause after trying everything you can think of or if your eczema is getting worse, you definitely need to see a doctor. Having eczema puts you at a higher risk for skin infections that can cause serious problems or lead to other issues. Your doctor can help you to treat any infections that you are dealing with. They can give you an antibiotic cream or a steroid cream that should be used for short term solutions. Eventually, you will need to get to the bottom of what is causing you to have to deal with these painful flare-ups.
We hope that you have found some useful information in this article. There are many options available to you, you don’t have to suffer. Of course, you need to do your own research. We hope that this helps you to begin your research. Have your research in hand. It will help you to have an honest conversation with your doctor. It will also help you to know what questions you need to ask your doctor. After all, your best effort to treat any condition starts with being aware of what you need to know.
