How You Can Get Rid Of Eczema
As earlier mentioned, eczema does not have a cure but it can be managed with proper treatment and an eczema diet. Having eczema can sometimes be frustrating and irritating but there are many ways on how to get rid of eczema when it shows up on your skin.
When you get itchy rashes on your skin, your first action should be to consult a dermatologist. The dermatologist can diagnose the rash by performing skin tests and then provide proper treatment for it. Most patients also go through a patch test wherein common allergens like shellfish extracts, peanut extracts etc. are applied on the skin to determine which allergen will trigger the rashes.
Once the rashes have been identified as eczema, the doctor will try to find out the extent of your eczema and then give you a prescription for medicines that can treat it. Most eczema treatments include moisturizing the affected area and applying topical creams and taking antihistamines to reduce the redness and itchiness.
Hydrocortisone 1% cream is one of the most prescribed topical creams to help lessen the skin inflammation. This is the traditional and medical process on how to get rid of eczema and it usually works for most people.
In extreme cases, phototherapy or applying ultraviolet light in the skin, tar treatments and a drug called cyclosporine is used on people whose eczema do not respond to the common medications prescribed. These are generally not painful but can be costly and time consuming as you need to keep coming back to the dermatologist for these types of treatment.
Note that most of the treatments for eczema mentioned above are applicable to adults and children above the age of 2. If your baby has eczema-like rashes, do not attempt to cure him by using these medications on him. Consult with your physician or pediatrician before giving any treatment to your baby.
Home Remedies for Eczema
How to get rid of eczema can also be answered by some simple things you can do at home. Do these things on top of the medication and treatment that the dermatologist gives you and you could be eczema free in no time.
- Avoid clothing that do not breathe – Eczema sometimes gets triggered by extreme heat or extreme cold. When your clothes do not breathe, they trap heat and moisture on your skin and cause eczema to appear on your skin. Polyester and synthetic fabrics are some of the items that do not help you when you are feeling overheated so if you suffer from eczema you should not wear these fabrics. Stick to natural materials like cotton.
- Avoid clothes that are scratchy – Wool is a great example of a scratchy fabric. Avoid them as much as you can. Faux fur and synthetic materials on your clothes could also cause an itch so it is best not to wear clothes like this.
- Use hypoallergenic products and avoid harsh, perfumed soaps and washes – Eczema can be triggered when you use harsh soaps and washes on your skin. The skin gets irritated by the chemicals that make up your soap. How to get rid of eczema with mild products entails sticking to non-perfumed soaps and washes.
- Wear protective gloves – Whether you are doing some hand washing, cleaning the house, gardening or washing the dishes manually, you should always protect your skin from potential irritants like dishwashing liquids, detergents, dirt and other cleaning products. Detergents and soaps used for cleaning are made with harsh chemicals to ensure that they effectively clean any area. These same chemicals can easily trigger eczema.
- Try to avoid getting into extreme temperatures – cool yourself when it is too hot and turn up the heater when it is too cold. Sudden changes in temperature can trigger eczema to appear on the skin. You should always strive to regulate the temperature as much as possible.
- Reduce stress – stress affects eczema more than you think. When you feel stressed, your immune system tries to work harder to take care of your body. When this happens, your eczema could worsen. Get a hobby or exercise to get rid of all those stress.
- Avoid long hot showers and baths – bathing in warm water can dry up skin easily. Eczema happens when skin is too dry. Take short showers with lukewarm water instead. Avoid rubbing your skin in the shower as well as these can aggravate and irritate your skin more.
- Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize – Use lotions that are fragrance free and non-comedogenic. How to get rid of eczema by moisturizing means finding and using products that are rich in moisturizing products to help keep your skin from drying. Put on your moisturizer just after you shower to help the skin absorb it better and keep the moisture in.
- Use natural products as much as possible – harsh chemicals and fragrance contained by some skin care products could cause eczema to appear on your skin. Go for the natural and unscented variety as much as possible. Organic products tend to produce less suds and bubbles so it might take some getting used to.
- Get a humidifier – when the air around you is dry like when you are in a desert or in cold places, your skin loses moisture and will need to stay hydrated. A humidifier can help you retain moisture on your skin and relieve the dryness in the air. Also read: Using Essential Oils In Humidifier