Relieve Skin Itching and Dryness With These Eczema Remedies
The itchy and inflamed skin that
accompanies an eczema flareup is one of the most bothersome feelings a
person can experience. An eczema rash can be triggered by even minor
stress and appear on any part of the body, the face, and even on your
scalp, especially in the dry and cold winter months.
There are many types of causes of this
condition, but they are all characterized by skin itching, dryness,
redness, and flakiness. If you’re experiencing an eczema flareup and
nothing seems to help, consider adding these home remedies and following
these tips in addition to what you’ve been already prescribed by your
dermatologist.
Eczema-prone skin is super sensitive and is
deficient in the natural skin barrier that helps seal in moisture in
the skin. That’s exactly why those who suffer from this condition have
to baby their skin and be extra mindful of everything that makes contact
with their skin, be it the body care you use, clothing, and even fabric
softener and detergent.
In this article, we suggest several practical tips that help alleviate
eczema symptoms, including a few useful home remedies you can try.
1. Moisturize immediately after taking a shower or bath
Skin that’s prone to eczema is chronically
dry, and the best way to protect your skin from becoming even flakier,
itchier, and more inflamed is to cover it with an occlusive moisturizer,
balm, or ointment. Moisturize right after a shower or bath, don’t wait
for your skin to become drier.
Ideally, you should quickly pat-dry your skin with a towel and
moisturize within 3 minutes after getting out of the shower with a
moisturizer rich in oils. You will need to do this every time you take a
bath or shower, and if your eczema shows up on your hands, it’s also a
good idea to moisturize your hands after you wash them throughout the
day. Moisturizing will help prevent flareups and will also make a rash
go away sooner.
2. Try colloidal oatmeal baths 
If you’re experiencing a flareup that spreads on larger areas of the
body and face, taking colloidal oatmeal baths for a few days in a row is
scientifically-proven to reduce skin itchiness, calm down the redness,
and heal the flakes or cracks in your skin. Colloidal oatmeal, or Avena
sativa, is a powder made from finely-ground and boiled oats.
Preparing a colloidal oatmeal bath is easy: simply pour an appropriate
amount of the colloidal oatmeal in lukewarm water and soak for 10-15
minutes in the bath, making sure that all the affected areas are
submerged in water. You can also make your own oatmeal powder by
grinding 1 cup of oats in a spice grinder until completely fine and
smooth.
Colloidal oatmeal is also present in some creams and ointments, and
these moisturizers are almost always fragrance- and irritant-free, so
they will work well for eczema-prone skin. You can ask a shopping
assistant at your local drugstore to help you find a moisturizer with
colloidal oatmeal.
3. Bathe strategically
Bathing can really help you reduce eczema flareups, as one of the common
causes of a flareup is the accumulation of sweat on the skin or
exposure to allergens, such as pet dander. In addition, baths can help
rehydrate your skin. With that said, excessive bathing often has the
opposite effect, and it can make your eczema worse in the following
cases:
When you’re using water that is too hot or too cold
You’re bathing too frequently
Showering or bathing for too long.
Therefore, you should be strategic with your bathing routine. The
National Eczema Association recommends following these tips:
1. Use exclusively lukewarm water.
2. Bathe or shower once a day, more if you’re going to the gym or
sweating.
3. Limit bathing time to 10–15 minutes.
4. Be aware of the cosmetic ingredients you should avoid
Eczema-prone skin is a lot more sensitive to irritating skin ingredients
than other people’s skin. This is exactly why you should be wary of the
cosmetic products you’re using, be it your shampoo, shower gel, or
moisturizer. First and foremost, avoid ingredients and products that
strip the skin of its natural oils too much, such as alcohol, sodium
lauryl sulfate, soap, and scrubs.
Also, stick to fragrance-free, dye-free, and essential oil-free cosmetic
products, as both of these ingredients can irritate the skin. Seeking
out hypoallergenic products or even products sold for babies is a good
tip.
5. Try natural oils
While essential oils can be quite drying
and irritating for eczema-prone skin, moisturizing carrier oils are
actually quite beneficial for those who suffer from eczema. Here are the
3 natural oils known to help eczema:
1. Virgin coconut oil contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
ingredients. It also helps seal the skin and protects it from
environmental stressors.
2. Evening primrose oil is favored by many eczema sufferers due to its
anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Sunflower oil also protects the skin from outside stressors and helps
keep moisture in the skin.
All of these oils can be applied topically to the body or the scalp,
before or in place of a moisturizer. We advise against putting these
oils on the face and parts of the body where you may experience acne,
however, as they can block your pores.
6. Be mindful of the laundry detergents you use
The laundry detergent you use can also have
an effect on your skin's health. Opt for a gentle, fragrance-free
detergent, as the fragrant components of the detergent can be
transferred onto the skin and cause a rash. For identical reasons, we
recommend you stop using fabric softener as well.
7. Watch your diet
Certain foods are known to trigger eczema
flareups, too, especially in children. Be mindful of how your body
reacts when you consume such foods as dairy, soy and soy products, eggs,
and wheat. If you suspect that any of these foods are making your
eczema worse, try eliminating it from the diet and see if it helps
reduce your symptoms.
In addition, nutritionists recommend eating more anti-inflammatory
foods, such as those we listed in the article No More Inflammation With
these 10 Food Combos. Since eczema is an inflammatory skin condition,
enriching your diet with fruits, vegetables, herbs, and leafy greens can
really improve your well-being.
8. Avoid certain fabrics and clothing fits
Wearing tight-fitting clothing when you're
having eczema can make your skin itchier and can lead to skin
infections, so wear loose-fitting clothing in the affected areas of the
skin. Certain fabrics can also lead to eczema flareups. Wool is the most
notorious offender, but fabrics that don't allow the skin to breathe,
like polyester, are also best avoided.
Extra tip: for some people, nickel can also cause skin rashes. If you
notice that your skin is becoming red and inflamed around the fingers,
the neck, and behind the ears, it may be due to the jewelry you're
wearing.
9. Extreme temperatures are your enemy
Climate is the last topic we will cover in
this article. Unfortunately, eczema-prone skin is significantly more
sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature, and traveling or going
outside when it's cold or hot outside can easily lead to a rash. This
is exactly why most people tend to experience flareups during the winter
when the weather is cold outside and the central heating is drying out
the air indoors.
Bundle up, wear a scarf and gloves when you go outside to prevent a rash
from appearing on your hands, neck, and face. At the same time, try not
to sit next to a heater or radiator to avoid dry air. Many eczema
sufferers swear by an indoor air humidifier in the cold months, but you
can easily just put a wet towel near the radiator to get a similar
effect in a pinch, too.