Sensitive Skin: How to care for eczema-prone skin?
A skin disease with a multitude of discomforts, eczema can be kept in check with proper care and the right medication. Find out how to ease the condition for yourself or a loved one.
Eczema is a skin condition most people are not familiar with but if you’re the one in five Singaporeans who suffer from it, you know all too well the symptoms of the disease: constant itchiness, dry skin, fluid-filled blisters and red rashes.
Atopic eczema, which is the most common form of eczema commonly occurs during infancy and early childhood. Some people outgrow the condition while others suffer with it well into adulthood. While it is mostly a genetic predisposition, other factors like allergies and stress do contribute to skin inflammation.
If you or a loved one you know aren’t among the lucky 40 percent who outgrow it in adulthood, read on to find out how you can prevent flare ups and care for your eczema-prone skin properly.
CONTROL THE ITCH TO SCRATCH
The first sign of an eczema outbreak is an uncontrollable itch. However, you need to practice incredible self control and not scratch the itch away because this stimulates the nerve endings and causes inflammation in the area. Bacteria can enter the skin through scratches and open wounds. This would lead to a rash, which then triggers more itchiness. A great way to keep the itchiness in check is to put ice on the affected area.
GENTLE BATHS
It’s important to keep your skin as clean as possible to prevent further skin complications in the area. Taking a bath is essential, but don’t let your shower time exceed 10 minutes or you’ll risk drying out your sensitive skin. With that in mind, keep shower temperatures lower than 33°C to avoid further inflammation. Use a gentle skin cleanser and always pat your skin dry rather than giving it the rub down.
MOISTURISING IS A MUST
Emollient rich moisturisers are important in eczema skincare. When used in conjunction with a corticosteroid cream, the moisturiser can soothe dry skin and protect the epidermis against harmful elements. The best time to apply moisturiser is right after a shower as it helps seal in the moisture.
ONLY USE NATURAL SKIN CARE PRODUCTS
As it is, your skin is sensitive, the last thing you want is a negative reaction to soap chemicals or synthetic perfumes and dyes. Natural skin care products are your best option because they’re usually free of fragrance, colourings and chemicals. Read the product ingredients and if you can’t identify any of the ingredients outside of a lab, it’s certainly not something you should be using on your skin.
CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET
Clothing is an often overlooked factor in the fight against eczema. The clothes you wear can contribute to itchiness. Scratchy fabrics like wool and fleece often aggravate the situation and sometimes even prevent skin from breathing by trapping moisture beneath the surface. Likewise, clothes that are not washed properly can make matters worse as the chemicals from the laundry detergent can wreak havoc on sensitive skin.
Karen George
