How to Treat Mild Eczema
Affecting nearly 35 million Americans, eczema is a common skin disorder characterized by inflamed skin that appears as red and dry patches. It is often accompanied by intense itching and most commonly develops on the hands, the insides of the elbows, or the backs of the knees.
Though there are many types of eczema, the most common type is atopic dermatitis. A chronic condition, people suffering from eczema have more sensitive skin and are more prone to infection, especially if scratching causes skin to crack or ooze.
Eczema can vary in appearance, with cases ranging from mild to severe. In this post, we’ll focus on mild eczema, sharing some gentle mild eczema treatments that will help you live your life more comfortably.
Please keep in mind that although these recommendations might relieve eczema, we are in no way medical professionals. If you’re experiencing severe symptoms, like fever or an infection, it is best to seek medical advice immediately.
What Does Mild Eczema Look Like?
While more severe forms of eczema can cause the skin to crack and ooze, more mild forms of eczema cause the skin to become dry and flaky, making it easy to confuse with dry skin. The key difference between eczema vs. dry skin is that normal dry skin is a temporary problem and does not usually involve itchy or inflamed skin. If, however, your skin turns into an itchy rash that won’t go away, it could be eczema and it would be worth checking in with your doctor to confirm.
Bear in mind that eczema usually happens in cycles. There may be periods where symptoms may improve or even disappear, and other periods where symptoms can flare-up. Triggered by irritants or conditions that exacerbate eczema, flare-ups can occur as often as two or three times a month.
ILW Recommends: What Is Eczema?
What Causes Eczema?
Eczema is caused by genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. This explains why eczema tends to run in families and why it presents itself more frequently in people who have a history of asthma, hay fever, and other allergies (this is sometimes referred to as The Atopic March).
Eczema may also flare-up if exposed to the following irritants and conditions:
- Skin irritants: Irritants include harsh soaps, chemicals, perfumes, and skin care products that contain fragrance or alcohol. Some fabrics, such as wool, latex, polyester and any type of tight clothing can also irritate the skin.
- Allergens: Pollens, pet fur, mold and, in some cases, even food can trigger eczema symptoms.
- Climate and environment: Eczema can flare when exposed to certain weather conditions such as extremely hot or cold temperatures. Low humidity can dry out skin and high humidity can cause sweating, which is another eczema trigger.
- Stress: Do you ever feel more itchy when under pressure? Stress is known to exacerbate eczema symptoms, while at the same time, living with eczema is reason enough to cause anyone stress.
When the skin becomes irritated by any one of these triggers, the skin may itch which can cause the sufferer to scratch. Subjected to the “itch-scratch” cycle, scratching can worsen the condition, causing the skin to become even more red and inflamed.
Check out our blog post What Triggers Eczema for more information on triggers and how to avoid them.
Mild Eczema Treatment
Thankfully, mild eczema is generally easy to manage. Here are some easy self-care measures you can take to how to stop itching and control your eczema:
Choose Natural Soaps
Avoid soaps that contain artificial fragrances, perfumes, or dyes. Harsh chemicals can aggravate symptoms or trigger a bad reaction. We suggest this Grass Fed Tallow Soap for its simple but effective ingredients or this 20% Pine Tar Soap because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Be sure to completely rinse off the soap when washing.
ILW Recommends: The Best Natural Soaps to Buy for Eczema.
Take a warm bath
Did you know that hot water can further dry out your skin and worsen eczema? Draw up a soothing bath with lukewarm water instead and treat your skin to immersive care with the Conqueror Oatmeal Bath for Eczema. Completely chemical-free, colloidal oatmeal is a rich source of beta-glucans, which fights skin sensitivity and reduces visible redness. You can also try several other bath alternatives such as a coconut oil bath, apple cider vinegar bath and baking soda bath depending on your skin’s condition and the severity of your eczema.
Moisturize Daily
Find a natural moisturizer and give your skin a well-deserved boost of hydration! We love this Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream mild eczema treatment because it’s rich in emollients and doesn’t burn or sting when applied. Plus, it uses only 6 ingredients – so it’s truly as natural as they come with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
For more ideas on moisturizing your skin, check out our post The 5 Best Ointments for Eczema You Need to Try.
Stop Scratching
Protect your skin from scratching and prevent further irritation to your skin with these Eczema sleeves for kids and adults. Made with soft, stretchy fabric, they’re great for spot-treating areas that need it most. For added relief for itchy skin, try with dry or wet wrap therapy. For children, it might also help to trim their nails and have them wear gloves at night or during the day.
Wear the Right Clothing
Finally, reduce irritation by avoiding clothing that’s rough, tight or scratchy. We suggest the gentle clothing from Remedywear™ because all garments are made with hypoallergenic material, and composed of TENCEL with anti-inflammatory zinc. Our personal favourites include:
Remedywear™ Long Sleeve Shirt for Kids
How do you deal with mild eczema? Let us know in the comments below!
References:
https://www.neosporin.com/eczema/symptoms-signs
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/eczema/eczema-symptoms-and-diagnosis.html
FROM: Eczema