Cleaning & Household
1. Use a humidifier in dry or heated rooms to keep the air moist
2. Wear cotton liners under rubber gloves to avoid reaction to the rubber
3. Remove carpets and rugs from the house where possible
4. Damp dust regularly – dry dusting only spreads the dust further
5. Keep the house well ventilated
6. Vacuum rather than sweeping to prevent stirring up the dust
7. Wash pillows, under blankets and doonas regularly
8. Avoid household cleaners and detergents as they will irritate the skin
9. Vacuum mattresses regularly
10. Keep pets off beds and other furniture
11. Avoid feather filled pillows
12. Change bed linen regularly
13. Launder clothes in a mild detergent
14. Wash curtains regularly
15. Wash new bed sheets before sleeping in them
16. Wear vinyl gloves in place of rubber gloves as the vinyl is less irritating
17. Use washable quilts in preference of blankets
18. Put fabric toys in the freezer overnight to kill dust mites
Hygiene
19. Avoid using overly hot water
20. Gently pat skin after showering don’t rub
21. Use soft towels not old scratchy ones
22. Apply moisturisers immediately after showering or washing
23. Use mild soaps or soap substitutes when washing
24. Use a bath oil to soften bath water
25. Shower or bath in luke-warm water
26. Don’t soak in water that doesn’t contain an oil because it will dry the skin
27. Keep you skin clean to help minimise infection
28. Keep finger nails short to minimise skin damage from scratching
29. Be careful of perfumes and after shaves as they may irritate the skin
Clothing
30. Wear 100% cotton when possible
31. Avoid tight clothing
32. Wash new clothes before wearing
33. Avoid wearing scratchy fibres
34. Avoid woolen clothing
35. Wear cotton undergarments under your winter woolens to keep the wool from irritating the skin
36. Turn undergarments inside out so seams do not irritate skin.
Emollients
37. Rub moisturiser in the direction of hair growth to minimise irritation
38. Keep your skin moisturised at all times
39. Carry a small amount of moisturiser with you so you can keep your skin moisturised at all times
40. Always patch test new topical applications before using them on the affected areas
41. Be careful using creams around the eyes and mouth
42. Read instructions carefully and only use emollients as directed
43. Do not share emollients as this my cause cross infection
44. Bath oils can be applied directly to the skin as well as to the bath water
45. Be cautious of natural remedies that don’t reveal all the ingredients used
46. Water based emollients are less likely to irritate your eczema than sorbolene or glycerin based emollients
Elderly
47. The elderly need to take extra care of their skin as it heals much slower
Food
48. Keep a food diary to help determine foods that cause a flare up in your eczema
49. Wash hands and face after eating as some foods will irritate sensitive skin
50. Introduce each new solid food slowly to babies to assess for negative reactions
51. To help your body heal your eczema it is important to eat a nutritious diet
52. Exclusions diets should never be undertaken without the guidance from your health care provider
Seasonal
53. Avoid rapid changes in temperature
54. Wear a sunblock designed for sensitive skin
55. Avoid overly windy conditions
56. Avoid getting sun burnt as it will damage your skin further
57. Wear a wide brimmed hat to protect again sun burn
58. Holiday in warmer climates as warmer weather is generally more beneficial to eczema sufferers
59. Pollen and new growth in Spring is a common trigger of eczema
Teenagers
60. Eczema is easier to cope with if you talk to your friends and family about it
Children
61. Gain children’s cooperation when treating their eczema
62. Have children wear long sleeves and pants to minimise scratching
63. Avoid stuffed toys which may collect dust mites
64. Avoid sharp toys that could scratch the skin
65. Put mitts on babies especially at night to minimise scratching
66. Try to keep children occupied so they are less likely to scratch
67. Clean babies skin thoroughly at each nappy change
68. Wash soft toys regularly
69. Adults holding babies should cover their clothes with a cloth nappy if wearing wool or coarse fabrics
70. If your baby is still in nappies apply a thick layer of moisturiser or barrier balm at every change
71. Leave baby’s nappy off at every opportunity to allow the skin to breathe
72. Teach children about their eczema so they can learn to care for their skin themselves
73. Ensure emollients are well rubbed in and or covered to avoid any being swallowed by young children
74. If your child suffers from eczema do the cleaning when they are not in the house
75. Don’t leave baby in a wet nappy as it will irritate the sensitive skin
76. Keep in mind a breast fed baby’s eczema may be irritated by the mother’s diet
77. Avoid using bubble bath
78. For eczema on the scalp it is important that you use a pH neutral shampoo and conditioner
79. For babies, apply the emollients just before bed time as it can be soothing and may help your baby get a better nights sleep
Lifestyle
80. Adopt relaxation methods to help control stress
81. Learn what triggers your eczema and how to control it
82. Seek medical advice as soon as skin becomes broken to prevent infection
83. Minimise daily stress when possible
84. Read and learn as much about eczema as you can so you are better able to cope with your condition
85. Avoid activity that raises a sweat
86. After physical activity be sure to shower and re moisturise
87. Shower and moisturise immediately after swimming in chlorine
88. Most emollients are safe to use during pregnancy, but should always be discussed with your health care provider before being applied
89. Not all treatments will work for every one, it is a matter of trial and error
90. Drink plenty of water and stay well hydrated
91. Respond quickly to any eczema out breaks so it isn’t given to chance to develop
92. Be cautious of treatments offering an eczema cure
93. Place a layer of oil or petroleum based emollients before swimming to protect the skin
94. Avoid Chinese medicines used for treating eczema as they may not be safe during pregnancy
95. The key to all eczema treatment it that you have to be consistent
96. Stay positive
5 More…
97. If you can’t tolerate wool against your skin you may also be hypersensitive to lanolin based soaps and lotions.
98. Choose t-shirts and underwear made of undyed cotton
99. Cut tags off new clothes as they may be scratchy and irritate the skin.
100. Turn undergarments inside out if the seams irritate the skin.
101. When washing, double rinse clothes, towels and bedding to prevent chemicals from laundry products irritating the skin.