Eczema tends to run in families and is often related to allergies, asthma and stress. Chemical agents, extreme weather, sweating, and infections can also trigger it. Infants are prone to eczema, although many grow out of it before they turn 2. if it lasts after that age, a child is likely to have chronic eczema. Eczema is usually not a serious health problem, but its symptoms can be stubborn and annoying
Symptoms of Eczema:
- Itchy, red, dry, scaly, blistered or swollen patches of skin, usually on the scalp or face, hands and wrists and knee and elbow creases
- Oozing, crusting, thickening, or odd color of the affected skin area
Eczema Prevention:
- To keep skin from getting dry, take a short, warm bath then apply a lotion to put moisture back in the skin right away. Don't use soap every time you bathe.
- To keep your hands from getting dry and chapped, wear mittens or gloves in cold weather.
- Use cotton lined rubber gloves while cleaning clothes and dishes.
- Avoid skin irritants and allergy causing agents. These include soaps, detergents, perfumes, dust, pet hair, and tobacco smoke
- Learn to spot stressful times, and do relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation
Eczema home remedy and ways to treat eczema:
There are many ways to treat eczema but below are listed some of the effective home remedies for treatment of Eczema:
- Don't scratch. Soothe the skin and keep it moist by taking warm baths daily. Use a little mild cleanser in the place of soap
- For an older child or adult, apply over the counter hydrocortisone cream. Avoid body lotions with scents, oils, or preservatives
- Try an oral over the counter antihistamine to relieve itching. Don't use anti histamine cream or antiseptic spray
- Wear loose, cool clothing: sweating can make eczema worse. Avoid man made fabrics as they can irritate the skin
- Wash clothes with mild fragrance free laundry soap. Rinse twice. Don't use fabric softeners
- Trim nails short. Wear cotton gloves or mittens to bed to limit scratching.
- Ease tension with a quick walk or other exercises
- Use a humidifier to keep from breathing dry air
- Don't eat foods that seem to make your eczema flare up: some people report problems from cow's milk, eggs, wheat flour, nuts, and citrus juices
Which foods cause eczema?
Any food might cause reaction in a person. However, listed below are some of the foods causing eczema:
- Dairy/milk
- Chemical food additives
- Preservatives
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Seafood
- Wheat products
- Acidic fruits
When to use call a doctor?
- If the affected skin gets a crust, often yellow or brown, or blisters with pus. It could mean a bacterial infection
- If your skin doesn't get better after a week or two of home care, or if the eczema keeps coming back
- If you develop an itchy rash that seems to have no cause, and eczema or asthma runs in your family
