Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Eczema can occur at any time of the year, but usually gets worse during the dry, cold, freezing months. Eczema can be on the hands, feet, eyes and feet, wrists, neck, upper chest, eyelids, behind the knees, in the elbows, face, and / or scalp. The rash can be red, brown or gray, thick, chapped, dry, or flaky. Eczema can also be itchy and sensitive. Not only that, but eczema also increases the risk of developing asthma and allergic skin syndrome. People with this syndrome may have eczema (atopic dermatitis), allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or asthma. There is no cure for eczema, but there are many ways you can reduce your risk of flare-ups.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Take care of your eczema at home

1. 

   
   
   Use a moisturizer to soothe dry winter skin. Moisturizer should be applied at least twice a day, especially dry patches. This will help keep the skin moist and prevent chapped or irritated skin. Avoid moisturizers that contain dyes or fragrances that could irritate the skin. Moisturizers and oils should be applied while the skin is still slightly damp after bathing for better moisturization. You can try the following brands:
   • Cetaphil
   • Nutraderm
   • Eucerin
   • Baby Oil

2. 

   
   
   Try an over-the-counter allergy medicine. Allergy medications contain an antihistamine ingredient, which is helpful because eczema is associated with allergies. You can use a number of products like:
   • Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
   • Fexofenadine (Allegra)
   • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

3. 

   
   
   Use a topical cream to treat itching. Some topical creams such as steroid creams, calamine creams, and topical calcineurin inhibitors all help relieve itching. You can apply the product to the eczema area several times a day to reduce itching. Some products suggest such as:
   • Hydrocortisone cream. Hydrocortisone 1% cream helps relieve itching. However, keep in mind that regular use of steroid creams can thin the skin, so it's best to use it only for a short period of time. Check with your doctor before applying Hydrocortisone cream to your face or between skin folds.
   • Calamine cream. Calamine cream is commonly used to treat ivy poisoning but can also help relieve itching caused by eczema.
   • Topical topical form of calcineurin inhibitors. These prescription topical creams help relieve itching and rashes, but also thin the skin like steroid creams.

4. 

   Use a cold compress to relieve itching and inflammation. Cold compresses can both help relieve itching and help reduce swelling. You can either use a cold, damp washcloth or an ice pack.
   • If you are using a damp washcloth, place it under cold running water and wring it out. Apply the towel to the skin for about 5 minutes. Then, pat the skin dry after applying and applying moisturizer.
   • If you are using an ice pack, first wrap the ice in a cotton or paper towel. Then, place an ice pack on the eczema area for up to 20 minutes. Wait for the skin to return to its normal temperature before applying the ice pack again to avoid damaging the skin tissue.

5. 

   Don't scratch. Scratching can irritate and crack the eczema area. Bacteria will enter through the crack and increase the risk of infection. If you have trouble controlling your scratching, you can try:
   • Wrap the eczema with a bandage.
   • Keep your nails short.
   • Wear cotton gloves when sleeping.

6. 

   Soak in baking soda or oatmeal. This method is especially relaxing in the cold winter and helps to relieve itching and soothe the skin.
   • Fill the bath with water and add baking soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal to the water.
   • Soak to relax for 15 minutes.
   • Apply moisturizer while skin is still wet. This step helps to retain moisture in the skin.
   • Or you can wait 20 minutes after drying your skin to avoid the moisturizer absorbing too quickly causing irritation.

7. 

   Apply salt water to the eczema area. You may feel a little burning, but the salt water will help kill bacteria that are growing in areas that are irritated or cracked. In the summer, you can bathe in the ocean to relieve the symptoms of eczema, but in the winter, you need to mix the salt mixture yourself.
   • Dissolve a few teaspoons of salt in a cup of warm water.
   • Use a clean towel to apply the salt water to the eczema area and let it dry.

8. 

   Try alternative remedies. Always consult your doctor before taking an alternative remedy, especially herbal supplements, as the product may interact with other medications. The following methods have not been scientifically proven to be effective, but there is also evidence that they may be helpful in some cases:
   • Supplements with vitamins D, E, zinc, selenium, probiotics and many other essential oils
   • Herbal supplements like St. John's wort, Roman chamomile, tea tree oil, German chamomile, Oregon vine root, licorice, rice bran juice (topical)
   • Acupuncture or acupressure
   • Use aromatherapy or color therapy to create a sense of relaxation
   • Massage therapy

9. 

   Try light therapy to reduce inflammation. In winter, days are usually short and we tend to stay indoors more resulting in less exposure to light. Light therapy can be as simple as sun exposure or using artificial UVA rays or narrow band UVB light. However, this method can be harmful and should not be used in young children. Side effects include:
   • Premature aging skin
   • The risk of developing skin cancer
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Method 2 of 3: Use prescription drugs

1. 

   Ask your doctor about prescription strength corticosteroids. Note that these can cause serious side effects, so consult your doctor. The drug can be in the form of:
   • Topical cream
   • Drug
   • Injections

2. 

   Consider using antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic if you have scratched and infected the eczema area. Antibiotics help reduce bacteria in the skin, reduce the risk of re-infection. Antibiotics may be prescribed in the following cases: Staphylococcus aureus - the most common infection in patients with atopic dermatitis. Should see a doctor immediately if you have the following signs:
   • The rash appears to be infected, with red streaks, pus, or yellow scabs
   • The rash causes pain
   • Eye problems caused by a rash
   • The rash does not go away with home treatment
   • Rashes affect sleep and daily activities

3. 

   Relieve itching with prescription-strength antihistamines. These medications help reduce the effects of histamine and reduce itching.
   • You can take a sedative antihistamine to relieve itching and help you sleep better, or take a non-sedative antihistamine to relieve daytime itching.

4. 

   Talk to your doctor about taking immunosuppressants. These drugs help the skin to recover faster. The two popular drugs are:
   • Tacrolimus (Protopic)
   • Pimecrolimus (Elidel)

5. 

   Talk to your doctor about wet wraps. This method is usually done by a doctor, but you can do it yourself at home if you are instructed in particular by your doctor. Wet wraps are commonly used for severe eczema:
   • First, apply corticosteroid medication to the eczema area. After pregnancy, wrap around with gauze. You should feel the symptoms subside for a few hours.
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Method 3 of 3: Make lifestyle changes to prevent eczema flare-ups

1. 

   Use a mild, non-irritating soap. Strong cleansing soap removes the natural oils on your skin, making it prone to dryness and worsening winter eczema. Wash off with clean water and mild soap.

2. 

   Take a quick shower with warm water (no hot showers). Although this is difficult to do on cold days, it will help prevent skin from accumulating too much water.
   • Limit shower time to less than 15 minutes.
   • Apply almond oil while you are slightly wet (on the eczema area).
   • Dry yourself.
   • Take a shower right after exercising to prevent sweat from irritating the eczema area.

3. 

   Wear rubber gloves when cleaning. People with eczema are very sensitive to strong detergents and exposure can cause flare-ups. Therefore, it is advisable to apply a thick layer of moisturizer and wear gloves before cleaning. Avoid contact with:
   • Solvent
   • Cleaning fluid
   • Dish soap
   • Bleach

4. 

   Be careful with environmental irritants. Watch for worsening eczema from exposure to environmental irritants such as cigarette dust and smoke. In the winter, the more time you spend indoors, the higher your risk of exposure to these factors. You should limit your exposure to irritants as much as possible.

5. 

   Identify foods that make eczema worse. Eczema is related to allergies, so it's important to eliminate foods to which you are allergic. If you're not sure, you can ask your doctor for an allergy test. Foods that can irritate eczema include:
   • Egg
   • Milk
   • Lost
   • Soy bean
   • Fish
   • Wheat

6. 

   Maintain a stable indoor environment. Avoid sudden changes in temperature and humidity. If the weather changes a lot, stay indoors to give your skin time to adapt.
   • If the weather is suddenly dry, use an indoor humidifier to keep the air moist.

7. 

   Wear clothing that does not scratch or irritate the skin. Wear loose clothing to allow skin to breathe. Wear warm in winter and protect skin from cold, dry winter winds.
   • Avoid wearing wool clothing.
   • Wear cool clothes when exercising.

8. 

   Reduce stress. Stress can make you more susceptible to eczema. Reducing stress speeds up the recovery of eczema and reduces the risk of eczema flare-ups. The best ways to reduce stress are:
   • Get 8 hours of sleep each night. Getting enough sleep can help boost your mental energy to cope with life's challenges.
   • Exercise for about 2 and a half hours per week. Although it is a bit difficult to do in the cold winter, you will find exercise really helpful. The body releases the hormone endorphins, which induce relaxation and improve mood. You can do sports, jog, swim, and cycle.
   • Use relaxation exercises like meditation, yoga, deep breathing, visualization of relaxation images, and massage.
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Advice

• Baby Oil is a petroleum derivative that can moisturize dry (easily cracked) and eczema skin. Baby Oil is also very effective because it helps create a protective layer from water that is difficult to penetrate so that the eczema sufferer's skin has time to regenerate its ability to produce natural oils instead of letting the protective oil wash off.

Warning

• Pregnant women and young children should always consult their doctor before taking any medications, including herbal ingredients and herbal supplements, as they may interact with other medications. Talk to your doctor about whether these products are right for you.
• when taking new medications, including over-the-counter medications.