Skincare tips to manage eczema

Dry, itchy and flaky skin. The constant fear of flare ups. Disturbed sleep, embarrassment, and difficulty concentrating. Taking every new skincare product that claims to be the solution with a pinch of salt. Or several for that matter. Because you never know what might trigger it. Not to mention the toll it can take on your emotional well-being, confidence and self-worth. These are just a few things that come with the potentially debilitating condition of atopic dermatitis, or commonly known as eczema. 

Despite how lonely this condition can make one feel, it is infact one of the most common chronic inflammatory skin conditions, affecting as many as 15-20% of people of all ages and genders, all over the world. While there is no cure, the symptoms can be managed in a way that makes everyday life fairly easier for the patients. 

Today we’re going to discuss several skincare tips and tricks that can help you manage your eczema a tad bit better, so keep on reading. 

What is eczema?

The word ‘eczema’ originates from the Greek word ‘ekzein’ which means to break out or boil over. And that’s exactly what it feels like. It is an inflammatory condition of the skin which causes it to become red and itchy with periodic flare ups. 

It is a condition that is not contagious and has more than one cause, including genetic factors, immune system activation, stress and can also be triggered by environmental stressors. It is also found to be more common in people with hay fever and asthma.

What are the symptoms of eczema?

Eczema’s symptoms are fairly easy to discern and your dermatologist can easily diagnose the condition by simply examining your skin. 

According to Pfizer’s website, symptoms of atopic dermatitis include:

• Itch (pruritus)
• Red/pink or discolored skin patches
• Thick, hard, “leathery” patches
• Dry or bumpy skin rash
• Open, crusted, or “weepy-looking” blisters or sores

The repercussions of the conditions are not just physical and can be mentally straining as well. Patients have reported being concerned over public flare ups, as well as experiencing symptoms of depression. Living with this condition often requires individuals to give up certain activities such as swimming, running and other strenuous sports that may cause the symptoms to worsen, making individuals feel sad and upset. 

How is eczema treated?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for the condition and only the symptoms can be managed to make everyday life easier for the patient. These include topical therapies such as the application of soothing creams and ointments, as well as systemic therapies that include taking pills or injections that work by influencing the body’s immune system.

Skincare tips to manage eczema 

Using a gentle cleanser is extremely important when it comes to managing symptoms of eczema as harsh products can strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it feeling extremely dry, irritated and flaky. Also look for products that contain soothing ingredients such as oatmeal which have proven soothing, healing and nourishing properties and can work wonders for those suffering from eczema. The effectiveness of oatmeal for eczema is proven by the recommendation of oatmeal baths for those suffering from the condition. Leovard’s extremely gentle and all natural Mulitcleanser would be a great addition to your skincare regime as it not only contains oatmeal but also the anti-inflammatory green tea and several botanical oils that nourish the skin. 

Since eczema is all about dry, irritated and flaky skin, your utmost priority should be to keep it moisturized at all times. Applying a hydrating moisturizer generously immediately after you step out of the shower helps to lock in moisture, keeping the skin from feeling tight and pulled. The Leovard Multicream contains several hydrating and moisturising ingredients such as aloe vera, green tea and vitamin E along with soothing and calming ingredients such as chamomile and lavender, making it the perfect addition to your skin care routine, helping you manage your symptoms better. 

Being out in the sun without protective sunscreen can cause eczema symptoms to worsen as it can cause the skin to dry out excessively. God forbid, if you get a sunburn, it can be extremely painful for your already vulnerable skin. Therefore always wear sunscreen before heading out, and don’t forget to to apply it on your ears, neck and lips. 

Several ingredients in skincare products can worsen your symptoms, causing more harm than good. These include artificial fragrances, urea, lanolin and alcohol. All of these additives can potentially cause an allergic reaction, causing your symptoms to become unmanageable. Hence, always opt for clean, natural and organic skincare products such as those from the Leovard skincare solutions. 

Takeaway

Despite being fairly common, eczema is a skin problem that can negatively impact an individual’s life in more than one way. Learning about the triggers and the steps that you can take to manage the problem can vastly improve not only your physical but also emotional well-being, enabling you to live a life that is worth living.