There are steps you can take to prevent eczema outbreaks:
Skin care for eczema
- Establish a skin care routine, and follow your doctor’s recommendations for keeping your skin healthy.
- Moisturize frequently, even when not irritated. Use a moisturizer that says, “fragrance free, perfume free, and dye free.” Unscented moisturizer differs from fragrance-free moisturizer. Make sure the label should say “fragrance free”.
- Use a humidifer in the room where you sleep.
Taking bath
- Use mild soap for your bath, and pat your skin dry instead of rubbing. Apply a moisturizing cream or ointment immediately after drying your skin to help seal in the moisture.
- Take baths with lukewarm rather than hot water temperature as it can dry out skin. Don’t take bath too long, better less than 10 minutes.
Food
- Drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Water helps to keep your skin moist.
- Allergies to foods such as cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish, shellfish and soy are more common in children’s with eczema. It is important to determine which foods are relevant. Extreme food elimination diets are discouraged as they can result in lack of essential dietary nutrients, especially babies. If you think a food allergy is playing a role in your child’s skin disease, talk to your doctor.
Irritants
- Try to avoid getting too hot and sweaty. Avoid sudden changes in temperature and humidity.
- Learn to recognize stress in your life and how to manage it.
- Limit your exposure to known irritants and allergens like: heat, cold, dry air, mites, pet fur, tobacco smoke, fragrances , saliva, prolonged exposure to water, dust, pollen…
- Avoid scratching or rubbing itchy areas of skin. Fingernails should be trimmed short.
Clothes
- Wear loose clothes made of cotton and other natural materials. Wash new clothing before wearing. Cotton is a comfortable material that allows the skin to breathe, which helps prevent skin irritation. In contrast, synthetic materials, wool and raw linen tend to irritate the skin and can cause an outbreak of symptoms.
- Wear gloves for jobs in which you have to put your hands in water. Wear cotton gloves under plastic gloves to absorb sweat, and wear gloves outside, especially during the cold months.