If we knew exactly how to treat eczema, there would be a lot of happy and itch free people out there! But unfortunately, as you all would know there is no easy way to treat eczema.
One of the most difficult aspects you will face when you try to treat eczema is that it seems to come and go, getting worse and then improving sometimes for no obvious reason.
If your eczema is linked to specific irritants, it may get worse in the spring when there is a lot of pollen in the air, or in winter when the wind is cold and dry. Sunshine and fresh air may help, or it may make it worse.
All of these factors affect how you attack or treat eczema. It therefore becomes increasingly difficult to treat eczema when it is not always clear which treatment is working and which is not.
So you ask, what is the best way to actually treat eczema ?
The old age proverb, the prevention is better than cure is certainly true when it comes to eczema. Being very careful of your skin, watching the diet, wearing appropriate clothing and keeping your immediate environment free of allergens, can prevent eczema becoming a problem. Doing this will give your body a chance to re balance and it will encourage your body’s own natural healing process.
There are many theories out there that offer advice on how you should treat eczema. As you know, eczema can’t be cured, but the following types of treatment will help to prevent your eczema flaring up and hopefully give you some relief.
- Avoid triggers and substances that stress the skin. Besides individual triggers that you most probably have identified, some things to avoid include household cleaners, detergents and harsh soaps.
- Hot water is a NO NO. Take short warm showers and baths and wear gloves if your hands will be in water for long periods of time.
- Wear light, loose fitting clothes made from natural fibres which allow the skin to breathe. Cotton clothes are your best bet.
- Be dedicated to your skin care. Keep it clean, moisturised and avoid products that dry out and irritate the skin.
- Do your research, and find a topical treatment (cream applied to the skin) that works best for you. Unfortunately it is an arduous process of trial and error, but there are a lot of good products out there that might help soothe the skin.
- Try not to scratch the itch. Easier said than done I know, but scratching the skin only increases the itch and can make it more difficult to heal because you break the skin, allowing infection to set in.
There are a variety of other treatments out there, but the best way to really treat eczema is just persistence. Be patient and try what others recommend. You never know, it might just be the product or method that works best for you.