Tips for adult with eczema

This article is dedicated to my Chinese friend. He was diagnosed with eczema for the last 6 years or so. Here are some tips that may help to alleviate your eczema......

1. Avoid using soap- eczema is a dry skin condition, the protective barrier (top most) skin is hindered due to unknown reason thus your skin is prone to irritation, infection and loss of fluids(dry skin). Soap is alkaline based and makes your skin more drier and more irritated. Try to use soap substitute, all non-scented emollients can be used. Double base have a shower cream, try it out.

2. If you are having a bath then, use bath oil. Loads of brand in the market (oilatum, cetraben, etc). Avoid using bath oil with antiseptic (oilatum plus) not unless your eczema is infected, to prevent resistance.

3. Use tepid warm water. Very warm water can trigger your eczema to itch inducing itch-scratch cycle.

4. Pat your skin dry instead of rubbing your skin with the towel. This triggers the itching inducing itch-scratch cycle.

5. Apply your moisturiser (emollient) after a bath/shower.- Use a downward stroke to prevent clogging your hair follicles that may cause folliculitis. It also traps heat triggering you to itch (application must not be thick).

6. Use your topical steroids only if your skin is red (inflammed), itchy and your emollient is not alleviating it. If your eczema is bad, use them ones or twice daily. Then reduce them to ones or alternate days if your eczema subsided. Gradually reduce them then stop. Eczema is on and off; stress, weather and irritants can trigger your eczema. Re-start your steroid if your eczema is bad otherwise continue with your daily moisturiser.

7. List down the trigger factors that can aggravate your eczema. Wool clothing, cats/dogs, house dust mites, heaters at home, plants,harsh chemicals/perfume/aftershave, etc. Avoid the trigger factors- vacuum your room regularly, change bed sheet weekly, use heating to the minimum, use gloves when handling harsh chemicals, use cotton clothing.

8. Avoid scratching if possible- If you start scratching, it will lead to itch-scratch cycle, never ending until you hack your skin (bleeding). Use your moisturiser instead or have a warm bath with bath oil.

9 Trim your finger nail short- to avoid trauma in case, you scratch unconciously at night.

10. Apply emolients to your skin before bed time- it helps with itching at night.

11. Drink at least 8 glasses of fluids daily (1.5 to 2.0 liters of fluids).

12. Try to avoid people with herpes simplex infection (cold sore) it can cause eczema herpeticum (severe complication of eczema)-weepy, punch out lesion with high grade temperature.

13. If your eczema is weepy- it is infected, see your health practitioner to prescribe antibiotics.

14. Learn to relax- reduce your stress and learn to smile.

These tips may help, otherwise see me for free consultation...