All About Eczema

What are the symptoms of eczema?

Symptoms of eczema can appear anywhere on the body and include dry, itchy skin, skin rashes, bumps on your skin, flaky or scaly skin, leathery patches of skin and or inflammation. 

What causes eczema?

The triggers for eczema or atopic dermatitis can vary widely from person to person. Some common causes may include: 

• Your immune system: eczema may result from the immune system defensively reacting to environmental irritants or allergens, causing inflammation.
  
  
• Your genes: you're more prone to eczema if there’s a history of eczema or dermatitis in your family or if there’s a history of asthma, hay fever and/or allergies like pollen, pet hair or foods. You could also have a genetic mutation that causes your skin’s barrier function to not work correctly. 
  
  
• Your environment: many factors in your environment can irritate your skin, from  exposure to air pollutants and the use of harsh soaps and detergents to textured fabrics and makeup or skin care products. Dry air can also cause your skin to become dry and itchy while heat and high humidity can cause sweating which can worsen your itchiness.
  
  

• Emotional triggers: your mental health can also affect the health of your skin. High levels of stress, anxiety or depression can result in eczema symptom flare-ups

• Foods: some common food allergies like peanuts, dairy and eggs may cause or worsen your eczema symptoms. If you don’t have a food allergy, then there are no foods that will cause or worsen your eczema.

How do I get rid of or prevent eczema?

The treatment for eczema is tailored to individual needs and triggers. Possible treatments may include developing a basic skin care routine to help prevent flare ups. 

Moisturize: Use a gentle or sensitive skin moisturizer regularly throughout the day. Apply moisturizer when your skin is damp after a bath or shower so that it seals in the moisture. 
Use a gentle cleanser: Choose a cleanser that's free of dyes, alcohols and fragrance
Stay hydrated: Drink 2-2.5L of water a day to keep your skin moist
Medications: Your healthcare provider can prescribe you topical products that can control the itching and repair the skin or oral medications like anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce itchiness and swelling. There are also immunosuppressant drugs that can help regulate your immune system functions.
Light therapy: the simplest form of light therapy (phototherapy) exposes the affected area to controlled amounts of natural sunlight or artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) and narrow band ultraviolet B (UVB) to improve the appearance of your skin and remove blemishes

In general, it is also advisable to follow these tips to prevent an eczema flare-up:

• Avoid wool or synthetic fabrics and wash new clothes before wearing it
• Manage your stress and emotional triggers
• Use a humidifier if dry air makes your skin dry
• Avoid irritants and allergens
• Avoid any scented products

What type of moisturizer treats eczema?

There are several options of moisturizers for dry skin and eczema.  The best products are  hypoallergenic, fragrance and dye-free, are designed for sensitive and gentle skin, don't include preservatives and contain lipids or ceramides to improve your skin's barrier.

There are also three ingredient categories to explore when looking for a skincare product for eczema:

• Emollients help repair your skin by filling in the cracks of dry skin. Some examples include: ceramides, cocoa butter, petroleum jelly and shea butter
• Humectants draw moisture into your skin and some examples include: hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, glycerin and urea. 
• Occlusives lock in hydration and seals moisture. Ingredients include silicone derivatives like dimethicone, coconut oil and petroleum jelly. 

Some of our bestselling moisturizers for eczema and dry skin are:

ZO Hydrating Creme - a rich moisturizer that hydrates skin while calming it to soothe irritation. This product also has the Awarded Seal of Acceptance by National Eczema Association.

Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer - a rich moisturizer that helps to hydrate skin and maintains skin barrier 

Vivier Lexxel Gentle Moisturizer - a gentle moisturizer that protects against chapping, cracking, and roughness and relieves itching

Cloud Vitamin B3 Niacinamide Cream - a skin barrier repair cream that is anti-inflammatory and stimulates production of ceramides 

GlyDerm Moisturizer - a non-greasy, fragrance-free, all-over face and body moisturizer that heals dry, damaged skin while providing soothing relief

By maintaining a regular routine and prioritizing moisturizing and hydration, while avoiding triggers, you can manage eczema flare ups and achieve a calm, soothed complexion.


Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9998-eczema https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/