Three Eczema Myths Busted
There are many myths that surround the skin condition eczema. Unfortunately the ignorance among the general population is tremendous. Knowledge about this common skin condition goes a long way in increasing empathy and support for those who suffer from it. Three of the most common myths are: first, that the cause of eczema is emotionally connected, secondly, that eczema is contagious and can easily be passed from person to person and thirdly, that eczema can be easily cured with the use of topical corticosteroids. Of course these are all myths because they are untrue and founded on no concrete evidence. Let’s bust each one of these three eczema myths one by one.
To take a look at the first myth, many people believe that an emotional disorder or emotional problems can cause eczema to develop. This is not so. However be aware that a build up of too much stress can indeed play a role in eczema flare-ups. A bout of stress that overloads the system can cause eczema to flare-up and it can make the intensity of the breakout very great. Try to find ways to relax and “chill out” on a daily basis and learn to handle the stress that comes your way in a manner that won’t excite eczema. Take a yoga class, learn to mediate, go for walks, listen to music, talk over your problems with a friend, relax with a good book and a cup of tea or spend some time pursuing a hobby you enjoy. If you find it necessary to do so then enroll in a stress management class.
The second myth, that eczema is contagious is completely false. Eczema is not a disease that you can catch from someone else nor can you pass it on to someone else in any way, whether it be by touching their hand, tapping them on the shoulder or touching a surface they touched. Due to its unsightly nature many people recoil at the sight of a person with eczema wrongly assuming that it is a disease that they can catch. Eczema is believed to have a hereditary link and be related to allergens and/or irritants in the environment. Don’t run away from an eczema sufferer, as they are every bit as normal as you are, but they simply have particular health considerations.
The third myth is that eczema can be cured very simply with the use of topical corticosteroids. Unfortunately it is not as simple as that. There are some viral infections that will quickly respond to the use of corticosteroids or antibiotic cream but eczema is more complex than that. There is no known cure for the skin condition eczema. Instead doctors seek to work with their patients to find ways to help manage the skin disorder. A case of eczema often responds well to the use of topical corticosteroids. A topical application helps bring down the inflammation and decreases the itching that characterizes the condition. Keep in mind that topical corticosteroids should be used as prescribed and only under the careful supervision of the doctor. Never apply topical agents with a heavy hand and never use them for a longer period than you are instructed to do.
Get Eczema Summer Savvy with Some Great Tips
Some eczema sufferers find that their skin conditions get worse in the summertime due to such triggers as the heat, the humidity and sweating. This is often the case for those suffering from the most common kind of eczema, atopic eczema (or atopic dermatitis). Other people find that summer is a blessing to eczema prone skin and that winter is the season when they suffer significantly from their eczema symptoms. Let’s take a look at some tips for staying savvy in the summer when the sun is beating down!
First of all, remember to always keep yourself as cool as you can and avoid overheating or sweating as much as possible. One of the ways to prevent this is by staying out of the sun between the hours of 10am and 4pm when the sun’s rays are at their most intense. Plan your summer walks, your lawn and gardening work, and all other outdoor physical activities for early morning or early evening when it is cooler. Also bear in minds that the sun can be draining on the system and those with a weaker immune system are likely to tire even quicker. Taking an afternoon nap during a hot summer day would be a good way to recharge your batteries and give you energy for the rest of your day!
Always have meds on hand if your itching becomes a problem. Steroid creams are good for this purpose as are some of the new anti-inflammatory medications that don’t contain any steroids whatsoever. Two examples are Elidel and Protopic, which are both extremely effective for controlling eczema flare-ups.
Wearing a sunscreen (sometimes referred to as sunblock) with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or 30 is a must as is wearing a hat and sunglasses when you are sitting in the direct sunlight. Try a variety of different brands of sunscreens to find one that is gentle on your sensitive skin. Avoid ones that are too greasy and ones that contain PABA. Look for a brand that specifies that it is hypoallergenic and non comedogenic (which means it won’t clog pores). Sunscreens that come in the form of lotions are better than those that are in gel form and it is preferable to find one that has a titanium dioxide base and is designed for sensitive skin. You might want to consider using a sunscreen that is designed for children and babies. If it is delicate enough to use on young skin that it should be delicate enough for those with sensitive skin.
You can burn worse in the water than out of the water so if you are swimming in a pool, the ocean or a lake reapply sunscreen more often and wear a tee shirt over your bathing suit to protect your arms and chest area. You can still burn during cloudy days in the summertime due to the ultraviolet rays. If you are outdoors on those days wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt as well as sunscreen on your face to protect your skin.
Moisture is Magic for Eczema Patients
Moisture truly is magic for eczema patients. Moisture sets the foundation for healthy, well-nourished skin. As well skin that has lots of natural moisture in it does not become injured or broken as either. No breaks in the skin mean that there is less opportunity for viral or bacterial infections to get into the skin and cause problems. How then do you keep your skin well moisturized? Read on to find out.
Well-moisturized skin is clean skin that needs lots of water and emollients. However be aware that too much water can dry the skin out excessively. Avoid soaking for too long in a hot bath or standing under a scalding shower for as long as you can. It is best for eczema sufferers to take short, warm, lukewarm or even cool if you prefer them, showers and for bath lovers, forego the indulgent soak and make it a speedy soak.
If you spend a lot of time at home or at work with your hands in and out of water (such as someone who works as a cleaning person, a window washer, a maintenance worker or a cook) then always wear a pair or rubber or vinyl gloves when your hands are in the water. Sweating results from wearing rubber or vinyl gloves a great deal and therefore it is smart to wear a thin pair of cotton gloves inside of the rubber or vinyl ones. Cotton absorbs sweat extremely well and is in fact the best material for eczema sufferers to wear in general.
The choice of soap or cleanser for your skin is a very important one. Choose something mild and look on the label for the words “for sensitive skin.” Dove and Neutrogena products are two excellent choices. Cetaphil is a non-soap cleanser and a good option for when your eczema is at its worse. Sorbolene cream is also good for cleansing and it will not strip natural oils from your skin. Choose an emollient oil to use in the bath and then an emollient moisturizer to use afterwards. The word emollient is often used interchangeably with moisturizer. Emollients are “lotions, creams, ointments and bath/shower additives which ‘oil’ the skin to keep it supple and moist.”
Always apply a moisturizer within a short span of time after exiting the bath or shower. In order to lock in moisture you must do this when your skin is still damp. This is one of the most important tips in keeping eczema flare-ups at bay. Some of the best choices for eczema prone skin as far as moisturizers go include Aquaphor, Vaseline, Curel, Alpha Keri, Lubriderm, Emu Oil and Moisturel. Never allow yourself to get lazy or sloppy in your moisturizing ritual. Always moisturize first thing in the morning and at night before turning in. If your skin requires that you do it more often then by all means do so.
An oatmeal bath is another way to prevent breakouts and to keep the skin well moisturized on a regular basis. Aveeno makes an excellent oatmeal bath or go ahead and make your own from porridge oats. You can also apply a lotion that is a combination of cocoa butter and oatmeal and then for added moisture add a touch of shea butter to your eczema prone skin.
FAQs about Eczema and Treatment Options
Asking questions is an important part of learning everything you can about the skin condition eczema, whether you are a patient of it or have a family member or friend who is. There are certain FAQ’s (frequently asked questions) that are common to most eczema sufferers. Let’s take a look at what some of those are.
What exactly is eczema?
Eczema (sometimes referred to as dermatitis) is a skin condition that can affect both males and females and sufferers can range from the very young to the elderly. Approximately one fifth of all children suffer from eczema as well as one in every twelve adults. Eczema can be mild, moderate or severe. In the mildest case the skin is red, warm, dry and itchy. In moderate to severe cases it can be very inflamed, incredibly itchy, cracked, crusty, scaly, raw, bleeding and weeping fluid (known as wet eczema).
What are the causes of eczema?
Eczema is not caused by any one thing. The causes are many and it is not the same for all individuals. There are allergenic forms of eczema and non-allergenic forms. The most widespread form of eczema is atopic eczema and this type is believed to have a hereditary condition and to be connected with sensitivity to allergens that don’t bother people in the general population. Plenty of people with atopic dermatitis also suffer from other allergy related problems such as hay fever and asthma. Other types of eczema are believed to be connected to irritants such as harsh detergents, chemicals, dust, sand, cigarette smoke, scratchy natural material such as wool, nickel, etc.
What are the different kinds of eczema?
There are a number of types of eczema. There is atopic eczema (the most common type), allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, infantile seborrhoeic eczema (cradle cap), adult seborrhoeic eczema (such as dandruff that can spread to other areas of the body, most commonly seen in adults between the age of twenty and forty), varicose eczema (found in elderly people) and discoid eczema (tends to appear in middle age).
What type of eczema am I suffering from?
It is necessary to visit your doctor in order for him or her to come up with a proper diagnosis of your condition. This might you to have to undergo a series of tests.
Is there a cure for this skin condition?
Presently there is no cure for eczema. Instead the focus is on finding ways to manage or control how often the eczema flares up.
What are the treatment options for my eczema?
There are a variety of ways that eczema can be kept under control. Your doctor will help you determine based on the severity of your condition which type of treatment is best for you. Currently the treatment options include emollients to help lock in moisture to the skin, topical steroid creams, oral steroids (these are not the kind that athletes take), topical immunomodulators, antihistamines, ultraviolet light treatment and a variety of alternative health therapies such as allergy testing, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), chiropractic and homeopathy.
Natural Remedies for your Eczema Itch
No one understands an itch like a person who suffers from eczema. There are many products available from a grocery store or pharmacy that you can purchase to help relieve the stinging itch of eczema. As well there are stronger products that will fight the eczema itch but these cannot be obtained without a doctor’s prescription. The good news in all of this is that there are many natural remedies that can be made right at home or purchased from an alternative health store that can bring you some relief. Let’s take a closer look at some of these natural alternatives for that awful (ouch!) itch.
First of all remember that eczema is less likely to flare up and be intolerably itchy if you keep it well hydrated. This means moisturize your skin faithfully twice a day, morning and night, and more often if you feel the need is there. The best type of moisturizer for an eczema sufferer is an emollient. An emollient is simply a moisturizer that is oilier in its consistency than a regular moisturizing cream or lotion. Emollient can also come in the form of emollient oils that can be added to a bath or applied to the body while you are in the shower. In the summertime store your emollient in the refrigerator so it is extremely cooling to the skin when you put it on.
One natural remedy to use in the bathtub that is very soothing to itchy skin is to soak in an oatmeal bath. It may sound strange but oatmeal is excellent for calming inflamed skin that you just want to scratch off your body. You can simply buy porridge oats from the grocery store (such as Quaker Oats) and add them to a lukewarm bath. A cup or two should be fine. The itchier you are the more water and oats you should add. If you don’t want to make your own oatmeal bath, Aveeno sells one that is excellent for managing that eczema itch.
Try a natural remedy skin wash to control the itch of eczema. Mix these ingredients together in a bowl- one-teaspoon of comfrey root, one-teaspoon of white oak bark, one-teaspoon of slippery elm bark and two cups of water. Then boil the concoction for thirty-five minutes, allow it to cool and then wash the affected areas of your skin with it. While it might not completely get rid of the itch it should go along way in improving it.
Lotions that are made out of blueberry leaves are very good at relieving the inflammation of eczema and at improving the irritation that accompanies itching. Taking zinc pills orally as well as applying them directly to your itchy skin should help a lot, as should taking shark cartilage tablets or capsules on a regular basis. Vitamin E has been proven to be one of the best vitamins for fighting eczema itch, as it is very soothing to the affected area. However always read labels carefully and never buy synthetic vitamin E and the body cannot process the artificial form. In order to know the difference on labels, synthetic vitamin E always has a “dl” instead of a “d” before its description. For example, synthetic vitamin E would look like this: dl-alpha tocopherol while genuine vitamin E would look like this: d-alpha tocopherol.
Treatment Strategies for Young Eczema Patients
There are a number of treatment strategies for young eczema patients. One of the oldest is coal tar cream. Tar is often used to give patients a rest from topical steroids or else used as an occasional addition to the treatment. Tar is safe to use on young patients but is most effective for small patches of skin and can only be used for one week once a month (but daily during that week). Newer non-steroid treatments are becoming available and these could very well cut down on the old standby of tar cream. In cases where patients suffer from chronic atopic dermatitis for example, LCD 5 to 10 percent in hydrophilic petrolatum has been shown to be very effective.
Emollient treatments are safe and effective and are basically to be found in creams, lotions and ointments. These products are meant to moisturize and nourish the skin. To be of the greatest benefit, these products should be applied anywhere from two to four times per day to hydrate and protect the skin from further damage. Some of the most popular emollients on the market include Aqueous Cream (UEA), Diprobase or Lipobase with Cetomacrogol, Emulsifying Ointment (HEB), Epaderm, Oilatum Cream and White Soft Paraffin. Thickened eczema prone skin often responds well to emollients. Even better than Oilatum Cream is Oilatum Plus when used as an emollient in the bathtub. Two other excellent choices for emollients include Aveeno and Balneum. The former is made of oatmeal and is meant to soothe itchy dry skin while the latter is soya oil based.
Corticosteroids in the form of cortisone or steroid creams are excellent to be used for those periods when eczema flares up and is at its very worst. Steroid creams are meant to be used for short spans of time. However they can be used for more lengthy periods if they are first diluted in one form of emollient or another. The risk you run with long term use of steroid creams on eczema is that it will thin the skin and eventually cause it to age quicker. There are newer and more advanced kinds of steroids treatments that are proving safer that the type traditionally used in the past. It is extremely rare that cortisone injections or tablets are ever used for patients suffering from eczema.
There are antihistamines that are safe to use for milder forms of eczema and they have been proven to effectively bring down the redness and inflammation of swollen eczema skin. For example the long acting Cetirizine is one of the few today that can be used for extended spans of time without any adverse side effects. An other popular over-the-counter antihistamine is Benadryl, which is also beneficial for a variety of allergic reactions. One of the oldest types of antihistamines around, Piriton, can be purchased in either syrup or tablet form. Piriton is especially good to be used at night because it makes a person drowsy but it also is very good at halting the desire to itch.
Herbal Essence What Herbs Can Do for Eczema
Many people turn to the essence of herbs to help with their eczema condition when nothing else seems to be working. Still others enjoy supplementing their regular eczema meds with some herbs to help decrease their flare-ups and reduce their level of itching. Evening primrose oil is a popular herb in Europe for its role in fighting the effects of eczema. Evening primrose oil has a high concentration of GLA (which stands for gamma linolenic acid) in it. GLA is an essential omega-6 fatty acid that all human beings need to be as healthy as possible. Generally the dosage needed per day is two to four grams. Be aware though that it may take upwards of six months to see results but many people swear by this herb.
Zinc is a mineral but is often classed as a healing herb. Taking a zinc supplement daily can have a positive effect on eczema breakouts. Be careful when supplementing zinc in your diet, as you should never consume more than thirty milligrams of zinc a day. Too much zinc can lead to another health concern- a deficiency in copper.
There are a variety of herbs that are believed to be cleansing for both the skin as well as the lymph glands. These include burdock, cleavers, nettle, red clover and yellow dock. These herbs are beneficial and clearing up skin rashes and “draining” the affected skin of impurities. Yellow dock in particular is one of the best for treating eczema flare-ups.
If you are a tea drinker then you might want to make a trip to your local health food store and pick up these three dry herbs- burdock root, red clover and yellow dock. Take one part of all three of these and carefully mix them together. Then take one teaspoon of the mixture of herbs and add it to one cup of warm or hot (not scalding!) water. Let it steep for a few minutes and then drink up!
Another recipe for tea that contains a variety of helpful herbs is aptly named “Dermatitis Tea.” In this case you will need to gather together half a teaspoon each of the herbs burdock root, licorice root, sarsaparilla root, pau d’arco bark and if you are able to find it, bupleurum root. You will also need three cups of water for this recipe. Mix all of the herbs together and then as gently as possible simmer them in water for approximately ten minutes time. After that turn off the heat and allow the herbs to steep for another ten-minute period. After the time is up, strain the mixture. To be of the most benefit drink a cup of this herbal tea three or four times throughout the day. If you prefer a tincture instead then do so but make it with the same quantities of herbs to water as the tea recipe calls for. Tincture of this type (or ones that are very similar) should be available at most health food stores or you would rather purchase as opposed to make one yourself. Take the tincture as often as the tea- three or four times daily- and use half a dropper at once.
A Womans Hormonal Changes How Does that Affect Eczema?
Hormones play a role in a woman’s life and the hormones are working to full capacity when a girl begins menstruating, every time she menstruates, during pregnancy and when a woman is going through menopause. It is unclear while some women report that pregnancy causes their eczema to flare-up worse while other women see a great deal of improvement.
The endocrine system of the human body consists of both tissues and organs that manufacture hormones. Hormones are “natural chemicals produced in one location, secreted into the bloodstream, then used by certain other target organs and systems.” It is the hormones that allow the target organs to do their job. Some of the organ systems have hormones as well as their “own internal control systems.” Aging and changes in the body occur in the way the systems are managed. Some tissues have a habit of developing less sensitivity to the individual hormone that controls them.
As time passes and a woman ages and goes through different stages in her life the blood levels of a variety of hormones changes. Some increase while other decrease and still other remain the same. Hormones have a tendency to metabolize at a very slow rate. The organs of the body that manufacture hormones are in many cases controlled by yet other hormones. Aging and changes in a woman’s reproductive cycle play a role in all of this. To use an example, endocrine tissues very often produce a lesser amount of hormone in middle age than it did when the individual was younger, but in other incidences it might produce the same quantity over the years but do so at a much slower speed.
For those suffering from eczema a good rule of thumb is to not begin any new types of treatments for your condition while you are going through a hormonal change. For example do not start ultraviolet therapy, topical immunomodulators or steroid creams when you are getting ready for your period to begin because hormonal changes could wreak havoc with the results you hope to achieve. Instead begin a few weeks before or a few weeks after menstruation is passed.
Pregnancy in particular causes hormones to go crazy. The volume of blood a woman’s heart pumps increases a great deal when she is pregnant and this increase in both hormone production and blood can bring about changes in a woman’s skin. These changes are not the same for every woman. Some women’s eczema skin becomes drier, flakier and itchier while other find that their level of natural oils is plentiful. It is extremely important to schedule regular visits to your doctor or dermatologist during pregnancy to keep abreast of all of the changes in your skin, whether it be improvements or increased incidences of breakouts.
Menopause causes a shake up of hormones and requires that eczema prone skin needs some extra tender loving care. However in a great deal of cases eczema is not as common for women of menopausal age. Atopic eczema is very rare in menopausal individuals whereas varicose and discoid eczema are more common among this age group of women. After menopause has ended many women have lesser amounts of the hormones estrogen, estradiol and prolactin.
Cosmetic Challenges for Women with Eczema
Cosmetics are a staple of many women’s lives but for those suffering from eczema on their faces, whether it be mild, moderate or severe, it can be a very challenging situation. Women with eczema need to find skincare and cosmetic products that are both hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic. Let’s take a closer look at this situation.
Hypoallergenic is a word that describes products that will not encourage allergic reactions to take place in the skin. For example, many types of cosmetics as well as skin creams contain fragrances and ingredients that can cause itchy, dry skin and mild to severe eczema rashes. Many eye shadow manufacturers include metallic compounds in their products and this is not good for most women but especially for those who suffer from any kind of allergy, including eczema.
Finding hypoallergenic cosmetics can sometimes be difficult as all stores do not carry these kinds of makeup lines although some popular brands are finally getting the message that women with sensitive allergy prone skin like to wear makeup as much as other women do. When hypoallergenic makeup products can be found, they are often extremely pricey. However many organic markets or stores carry specialty lines of hypoallergenic cosmetics and these very likely are more cost efficient than more well known brand products.
Noncomedogenic is a word used to describe creams, oils, lotions, sunscreens and cosmetics that do not serve to block or plug up pores. Sometimes noncomedogenic is known as “non-occlusive.” While this term is usually meant for those who have problems with acne, noncomedogenic products often contain less harsh ingredients than products that are not labeled as such. If you have a flair for making your own skincare or cosmetic products then choose the noncomedogenic oils to make them with. These oils include almond oil, evening primrose oil, olive oil, peanut oil, safflower oil and sunflower oil.
Some of the worst synthetic ingredients that are often included in skincare products, cosmetics and hair care products include butyl, ethyl parabens, methyl and propyl. These ingredients are well known to cause allergies and/or reactions in the skin and to be extremely toxic. Read product labels carefully and speak to the cosmetician for more information if you are unsure as to what products would be best for your ultra sensitive skin.
Take time to acquaint yourself with the cosmetic companies that you like and feel you can trust. Do your research and learn all you can about the company or companies in question. Find a mailing address or e-mail address for the cosmetic company and make contact with them. Tell them that you would like to be sent information regarding the ingredients they use in their products. Tell them that you are particularly concerned because of the allergy you suffer from. It is important to make cosmetic companies aware of your specific needs in order to help them serve you, their customer, and all of their other many customers, as best as they can. Remember that many women are “cosmetically challenged” due to skin problems so become a spokesperson for others by making your voice heard with cosmetic manufacturers.
Preventative Measures to Keep from Making your Eczema Worse
Unfortunately there is to date no cure for eczema therefore treatment is geared towards preventive measures. Preventative measures means finding ways to avoid specific triggers as well as ways to manage or completely alleviate the redness, inflammation and itchiness that accompany the skin condition.
One of the most important preventative measures to discourage eczema from getting worse or flaring up often is to always keep your skin well moisturized. Use a moisturizer designed for eczema prone skin at least twice a day, morning and night, and more often if you feel your skin is really parched. Never use a moisturizer with alcohol or scented in it and bear in mind that cream moisturizers are thicker in consistency than are lotion moisturizers. Resist the urge to try one of the new scented body butters. Although they are nourishing to skin they are not good for those suffering from eczema. Examples are good choices of moisturizers for eczema sufferers include Aquaphor, Alpha Keri, Curel, Eucerin, Moisturel and Lubriderm.
Don’t take long luxurious soaks in the bathtub with bubble bath for company, as it can be very drying to the skin. Equally harmful is a long period of time spent standing under a scalding shower. Instead get in quickly and then get out quickly. Never rub your body with a washcloth but instead pat your skin with a gentle washcloth or a bath sponge. Use a gentle soap or cleanser such as one made by Neutrogena or Dove or if your skin is extremely sensitive, try a non-soap cleanser such as Cetaphil which is very mild on sore skin. Once you get out of the shower, apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp and dewy as it will be more responsive to the moisturizer at this time and will soak into your pores much better.
Stress is a major factor when it comes to flare-ups of eczema so do everything you can to reduce and/or alleviate negative stress from your life. It helps to surround yourself with people who love you and understand what you are going through. Seek out your most trusted confidante and discuss your problem with him or her as often as you can. If you do not have anyone in your family unit or anyone amongst your friends whom you can talk with about your skin condition consider joining a support group of likeminded people who know all too well what you are living with. An excellent support group to check into is the National Eczema Association for Science and Education (NEASE).
If scratching is one of your worst eczema problems then a preventative measure you should take is to cut your fingernails to a short, comfortable length as long fingernails can do a great deal of damage to skin that is already red and swollen. Scratching damaged skin can lead to more damage as the more an area with eczema is scratched the more chance it can open the door to any number of viral or bacterial infections. You might want to carry a small tube of antibiotic cream or hydrocortisone cream with you on the days when you fear your skin will itch the worst and apply it as needed.
