Here are a few skin care tips to keep you itch- and flare-up-free. Eczema may feel like a total nightmare at times, but hopefully a little regular love for your skin can go a long way.
Check out my 14 personal skin care must-dos for adults with eczema:
1. Take warm (never hot) showers.
2. Pat skin dry after showering, never rub.
3. Moisturize every day. Since eczema makes your skin dry and itchy, lotions and creams are helpful if applied directly after bathing when your skin is still damp. This will help skin retain moisture.
4. Apply cold compresses to relieve itching.
5. Use a humidifier during dry months.
6. Wear soft, natural fabrics.
7. Drink lots of water.
8. Reduce the amount of caffeine that you are drinking as it may irritate your eczema.
9. Always wear sunscreen to prevent further damage to your skin.
10. Avoid rapid changes in temperatures that might make you sweat.
11. Treat the cause. Eczema is usually associated with intestinal issues. See a doctor and get those taken care of first and foremost. If you don’t, you are only band-aiding the situation by treating the symptoms rather than the cause.
12. One percent hydrocortisone cream or prescription topical steroids may be used to calm a flare-up, but steroids are not recommended as an ongoing treatment as they are bad for your skin, in general.
13. Antihistamines may be used to reduce severe itching caused by a flare-up.
14. Elidel and Protopic are two drugs approved by the FDA to help alter the immune system’s response and prevent severe flare-ups. Personally, I won’t use these two drugs because of the “black box” warning on the side of the package that scared me to death with the potential cancer risk associated with the creams. So, if I were you, I would read the warning labels before putting it on my skin.
For more skin care instructions, make an appointment with one of our estheticians! Call us at 831-373-2273 or book online at www.montereydayspa.com
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