What is Eczema?
Eczema or atopic dermatitis is one of the most common skin disorders seen in infants and children, affecting 10 to 15 percent of the childhood population. There could be many causes of atopic dermatitis, including allergic or immune mediated components. In adulthood, the disease typically worsens and the skin becomes thicker and drier.
Treatments
Brought to you by: National Eczema Association
Take care of your skin with the eczema treatment that's right for you.
Bathing
Your skin becomes dry when it fails to retain water. Good skin care habits including bathing are an important part of managing eczema, use a gentle cleanser and avoid scrubbing with a washcloth or rubbing with a towel; pat instead.
Moisturize
Use of an OTC moisturizer several times every day helps to relieve the irritation and itch to improve skin hydration and protect the skin moisture barrier. Moisturizers are more effective when applied to skin that has been soaked in water and still wet.
Management
Brought to you by: National Eczema Association
Take care of your skin by following these eczema management tips.
- Moisturize every day.
- Wear cotton or soft fabrics.
Avoid rough, scratchy fibers and tight clothing.
- Take lukewarm baths and showers, use a mild cleanser.
- Gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel — do not rub.
- Apply a moisturizer within 3 minutes after bathing
to “lock in” moisture.
- When possible, avoid rapid changes of temperature and activities that make you sweat.
- Learn your eczema triggers and avoid them.
- Use a humidifier in dry or cold weather.
- Keep your fingernails short to help keep scratching from breaking the skin.
- Some people with allergies find it helps to remove carpets from their house.
