When atopic dermatitis, also called eczema, strikes, red, scaly patches, skin rashes on your body and they itch all day and night like crazy. This chronic inflammatory condition can’t be cured, and tends to come and go periodically. With these super-simple lifestyle changes and home remedies, you can ease your symptoms during an eczema flare-up including red skin, irritation or inflammation, raised flat round rash, blister filled with fluid. Here, dermatologists share some of their go-to skin soothers.
Are you itching for dermatitis relief? These easy-to-do home remedies can help.
Use coconut oil
Great for cooking, and…skincare? You bet. “The most common cause of an eczema flare is dry skin,” says Jeremy Fenton, MD, a board certified dermatologist and medical director at Schweiger Dermatology in New York City. “Coconut oil can be a great moisturizer, and may even have some antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. People with eczema tend to have a higher load of bacteria on their skin, and that bacteria can make eczema worse.”
Buy an air humidifier
If the air in your home is dry, that means your skin will become dry in sleep, too. This is especially a problem during cold months when running the heat takes moisture away from your skin. Use a cool mist humidifier to help your skin maintain moisture, Dr. Fenton says.
Stick to meditation
Being Zen doesn’t sound like an real skin condition fix – especially when the itching is driving you mad. “Sometimes eczema flares up due to triggers, like stress”,. says Lindsey Bordone, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center. Your pressure may causes an allergic-reaction rash appear and spread fast. So getting your stress or anxiety under control is the key to take care of those flaky, dry, uncomfortable patches at bay. Try meditation, there are all sorts of ways to do it right from your phone. Try this 5-minute guided meditation to bring on calm fast.
Go to the gym
Speaking of stress, exercise can also help you relax, Dr. Bordone says. Whether you spend a few miles on the treadmill or take a yoga class, not only will your anxiety go away, eczema may, too. (make sure to take a shower after your sweat session which may worsen the itching)
Stay away from alcohol
Alcohol brings out inflammations in your blood vessels and on your skin which has been proven to trigger dermatitis, so anything that creates inflammation cause the condition to make an unwanted symptom. .
Take lukewarm showers…
Don’t turn up the heat on the water temperature when you’re in the shower-that dries out the skin. “Wash your hair, face, underarms, groin, and feet,” Fenton says. “Don’t soap the other areas unless visibly dirty.”
“The skin can dry out. But the message is, after the shower or bath, you need to pat yourself dry and moisturize to seal it.” says Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a dermatologist at the Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, recently told Today.com baths were beneficial for people with skin conditions,a shower was better for your skin.
Use a thick moisturizer
Since dry skin is the top one enemy of dermatitis, regular moisturizer may be the most powerful treatment, Dr. Fenton says.Ideally you need to moisturize more than once a day. Creams and ointments are better than lotions, and you should avoid anything with a fragrance or essence in it for which can be irritating to the skin. “Always moisturize within three minutes of getting out of the shower-this helps lock moisture in the skin,” Dr. Fenton says.
Choose a gentle laundry detergent
Forget the fancy soaps. You need something natural and fragrance-free, Dr. Fenton says. That’s because they have fewer chemicals, which lessens the chances of agitating your skin. Fragrance-free, dye-free laundry detergents for sensitive skin often say “free and clear” on the label.
Go to the drugstore
Antihistamines like Benadryl, nonprescription hydrocortisone creams, and calamine lotion can all help control symptoms.
Posted on May 18, 2023