Skin Care

Eczema Patients and Caregivers In their Own Words

NEA posed the question,

“What Should every Eczema Patient Know?”,

on the NEA facebook page recently,

and here’s what people had to say:



 

JW That not all treatments work for everyone.


AG Eczema patients should know side effects of all treatments and what factors can trigger eczema flare-ups (stress, diet, etc).

JB That steroid creams aren't always the solution.

KS You are not alone.

CZ It’s hard but there is always hope and keep trying.

SK That open skin breaks the barrier between you and the rest of the world.

Skin Care

Daily Skin Care

Good skin care is an essential part of controlling the itch and rash of eczema and sensitive skin. Proper skin care can reduce flare-ups, decrease the need for medication, and improve response to treatment.

When your skin is dry, it is not because it lacks grease or oil, but because it fails to retain water. For this reason, it is important to recognize this and to practice the basic principles of "soak and seal" to achieve good skin care daily.

Education Resource Center: Skin Care

Good skin care is an essential part of controlling the itch and rash of eczema and sensitive skin. Proper skin care can reduce flare-ups, decrease the need for medication, and improve response to treatment.

Bathing & Moisturizing

When your skin is dry, it is not because it lacks grease or oil, but because it fails to retain water. For this reason, a good daily skin care regimen focuses on the basics of bathing and moisturizing.

Video: Starting From Scratch

The purpose of this program is to provide information about basic skin care for people with eczema and sensitive skin, including the safest and most effective ways to bathe and moisturize. Armed with this knowledge, eczema sufferers and people with sensitive skin can enjoy the skin they're in.

5 Winter Skin Care Tips

The low humidity common in many parts of the United States during winter can cause dry, irritated skin. When skin becomes dry and irritated, eczema can flare. Here are some tips to help skin feel more comfortable during winter or anytime the air is dry...

Coconut Oil?

Q: Have you come across the use of coconut oil for people with eczema, and do you have any positive thoughts on that?

Bleach Baths for Babys?

Are there any problems with giving bleach baths to a 6-month-old baby with eczema? Can the baby’s skin tolerate bleach baths? What is the ideal concentration for the bleach bath for my baby?

How often should I be applying topical steroids?

Q:  How often should I be applying topical steroids?

A:  Topical corticosteroids are a mainstay of eczema therapy. Sadly, results are often suboptimal because of steroid phobia and mistakes in applying the steroids. The drugs are safe if we focus on two crucial factors: Frequency and Duration.

Here are some suggestions for proper use of topical corticosteroids:
* Apply to hydrated skin (after bath, shower or wet compresses).
* Generally speaking, and based on your doctor’s directions, begin with twice daily applications for durations of NO more than 3 days for face, eyelids, neck and folds 7 to

What do I need to know to use topical steroids correctly?

Q:  Sometimes I don’t follow my doctor’s directions concerning my eczema and steroid medications. What do I need to know to use topical steroids correctly?

A:  Managing eczema is confusing; details are important. Doctors complain that patients don’t follow advice. Probably just as often, patients don’t understand what was advised. It’s best to plan a follow-up visit one to two weeks after a steroid is prescribed to clarify instructions and enhance control of eczema if possible. Ask questions and demand clear answers.

Here are some common mistakes to be aware of in topical steroid therapy:
* Not

My doctor prescribed topical steroids for my eczema, but I am concerned about using them?

Q:  My doctor prescribed topical steroids for my eczema, but I am concerned about using them. Any suggestions?

A:  Topical corticosteroids are often the only reasonable therapy for controlling eczema. They are very effective and, if used properly, very safe. A major reason for failure is when there is an inappropriate prescription of low-potency steroids and the starting and stopping of regimens that never really control and stabilize the inflammation.

Beeswax and Olive or Almond Oil

Dear NEA Scratch Pad:

I understand that petroleum is used for eczema-prone skin. However, I don't like to use petroleum. I've tried different balms from spas, and found that I could make my own, using beeswax and oil (olive or almond oil). My latest balm is what I call a Bumble Bee Balm. I've only used it on my own skin, and it works for me. I hope you find it useful, too. I realize this will not be an option for people with certain allergies. I purchased the bee products from Rainbow Groceries in San Francisco.

1/4 ounce beeswax
1 cup oil (olive or almond)
manuka honey
royal jelly
propolis
bee

Sunscreen Remains a Safe, Effective Form of Sun Protection

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (May 16, 2012) —The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) today reiterated the safety and effectiveness of sunscreens to protect against the damaging effects from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. As one component of a daily sun-protection strategy, sunscreen is an important tool in the fight against skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Unprotected sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer. More than 3.5 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, affecting 2 million people.

Switching to Petroleum Jelly after Pump Lotion Does the Trick

Only after finding the NEA website did I see the warning to avoid lotions in a pump and to try using petroleum jelly instead. That did the trick, and I started seeing results in less than a week!

Socks Help Child to Seal In Moisture

I place socks over my daughter’s eczema to help seal in the moisture after I apply her meds.

Corn Allergy Triggers

Through that search I discovered I have dyshidrotic eczema, which can be a very common reaction to corn when someone cannot tolerate it.

Education Resource Center: Guide to Ingredients to Avoid

The Seal of Acceptance may be awarded to products that do not contain ingredients known to irritate eczema or sensitive skin. The following list of irritants and contact allergens is presented as a guide only, as there are other ingredient categories such as vehicle components, surfactants, chemical sun blocks, preservatives and natural ingredients (oils, plant and food products) that require specific review.

Sun Protection

Protecting yourself or someone you care for from the sun’s damaging rays is not just a summertime concern. Exposure to the sun’s damaging rays can happen any time of year.

Moisturizing and Bathing Tips to Help Manage and Soothe Your Eczema

This article is an excerpt from Sandra Oehlke’s speech at the Fourth Annual National Eczema Association Patient Conference.

Everyday Skin Care: Maintaining Skin Integrity and Avoiding Inflammation

Excerpted from a presentation by Peter Lio, MD, at the 2010 National Eczema Association Patient Conference. Dr. Lio is Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and a Founding Director of the Eczema Care & Education Center.

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