Everything You Need to Know About Eczema, From Symptoms to Treatments
There's skin that gets a bit itchy and uncomfortable come winter. And then there's a red, itchy, blistered-skin condition official enough to have a Latin name: atopic dermatitis, aka eczema. Estimated to affect around 35 million Americans, eczema is no joke. While it can certainly vary in terms of severity and be fairly mild for some folks, others struggle with stubborn and persistently dry, itchy, red skin that's ultra-sensitive and easily irritated.
Symptoms, treatment options, and personal experiences for various physical, mental, and health conditions and concerns.
As far as flare-ups are concerned, there are many factors that can exacerbate eczema or trigger an adverse reaction — for instance, sweat, alcohol, spicy foods, fragrance, and harsh fabrics are all prime examples. That being said, there are a variety of ways to manage eczema and keep flare-ups at a minimum. If your skin is flaring up, check out dermatologists' top tips for calming things down.
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Getty Images1/8Make Sure It's Actually Eczema
If you haven't been officially diagnosed and you're trying to get a preliminary sense before you head to a doctor, it's not hard to WebMD your way into mixing up eczema with psoriasis, another skin condition that can cause redness, itching, and scaliness. One of the main differences between the two: Eczema is damp whereas psoriasis is dry. "With eczema, fluid can leak from inflamed skin cells, making the skin red and moist," says Doris Day, a dermatologist and clinical associate professor of dermatology at the New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City. (OK, now power down and make an appointment.)
Getty Images2/8Get a Prescription
Dermatologists can prescribe a stronger anti-inflammatory and topical cortisone to manage eczema in the long run. And when Day's patients have flare-ups at night, she often suggests that they take Benadryl (check with your doctor first) as directed.
Getty Images3/8Look for Triggers
Then, on your own, start paying attention to whether your eczema tends to be set off by something specific — stress, changes in temperature, sweat, dust mites, and allergies are all common triggers. "Eczema is a hypersensitivity of the immune system, like an allergic reaction," says Day. "Finding and avoiding your triggers can help you manage your eczema, though you may not be able to get rid of it completely."
Getty Images4/8Drink Water
It sounds overly simplistic, but "staying well hydrated is the most important thing you can do," says Day. "And sleep can help your body repair its natural moisture barrier, so your skin is as healthy and intact as possible."
Getty Images5/8Take a Bath
It's a common misconception that baths dry out your skin. In fact, if you're in there for fewer than 10 minutes, they're actually moisturizing. "Bathing adds water to the skin," says Day, noting that you have to moisturize right afterward to seal the water into your skin. And don't add anything to the water; oils that smell amazing risk irritating skin.
6/8Think Rich
"Moisturizing is the second most important thing you can do," says Day. And one of the biggest mistakes people make is using a light lotion that's not hydrating enough. "You need a rich, creamy moisturizer that's fragrance free," Day says. She likes pure coconut oil and basic creams with hydrating shea butter or ceramides. Try SkinFix Eczema Balm and Cetaphil RestoraDerm Eczema Calming Body Moisturizer.
Getty Images7/8For the Love of God, Ignore the Weird Advice on the Internet
There are some awful suggestions out there, like putting alcohol on eczema to dry it out or using hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria. One of the many problems with this advice: Eczema isn't actually a bacterial infection, and you cannot fix it by drying it out. "These do nothing except make the condition worse," says Day.
Courtesy of brand8/8Be Careful at the Gym
"The high salt content in sweat can exacerbate eczema — you work out, and it's miserable," says Arielle Kauvar, a clinical professor of dermatology at the New York University Langone Medical Center. She recommends gently blotting away sweat with alcohol-free, aloe-infused wipes while you exercise (try Johnson's Baby Hand & Face Wipes), showering immediately after, and even using an ice pack to cool off, since changes in body temperature can trigger flare-ups.
