When a bout of eczema flares up, the only thing bound to be on your mind is to find a way to stop the itching.
Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that currently has no cure. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to manage eczema, but sometimes it still rears its ugly head and leaves you with red, dry, and itchy skin.
If you’re finding yourself dealing with more and more eczema flare-ups these days, our team led by Elaine Phuah, DO, MBA, FACOI, and Leon Tio, DO, MA, FACOI, at Clover Internal Medicine Associates in Fort Worth, Texas, wants to provide five practical methods for stopping eczema flare-ups in its tracks.
When you’re smack dab in the middle of an eczema breakout, try out different topical treatments to moisturize and soothe your skin. These are some that are often reported to be effective:
To boost your skin’s thick protective barrier, apply a thick and fragrance-free moisturizer often. You may also want to consider bathing in lukewarm water with a quarter cup of bleach about once a week to keep potential infections at bay.
There could be a lot of foods in your diet that are contributing to worsened eczema. Some foods commonly linked to more frequent and severe eczema breakouts include eggs, nuts, shellfish, and cow’s milk. Cutting out or limiting these food groups may help provide some relief from dry and itchy skin.
In addition, since eczema is an inflammatory condition, you may want to try a diet specifically aimed towards lowering inflammation, such as the Mediterranean diet. This eating plan focuses on consuming whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. It also encourages the limitation or elimination of processed foods, saturated fats, and refined sugars.
High-stress levels commonly trigger higher bodily inflammation. Since eczema flare-ups are also linked to increased inflammation, it makes sense that stress can often trigger intense eczema symptoms. Finding healthy ways to manage stress and anxiety could be key for also managing your eczema.
Start by trying out these effective relaxation techniques:
If you find that these aren’t enough, seeing a mental health professional might be beneficial.
When your skin is incredibly dry, it makes you much more vulnerable to eczema flare-ups. If the air in your home is dry, especially during the winter months, it makes it much more difficult to keep your skin moisturized. To combat dry air in your home, place a humidifier in your bedroom to add much-needed moisture back to your skin.
Although fragrances are desirable in laundry detergents, moisturizers, and many other personal care products, they can wreak havoc on your skin and trigger a dreaded eczema flare-up. Instead, study your product labels closely and opt for things that are fragrance-free and don’t have a long list of chemicals and ingredients on the packaging.
For even more effective eczema relief options, reach out to our team for more information. You can schedule an appointment with us by calling or using our online booking feature today.
