Eczema: Keeping Sensitive Outbreaks Under Control

For anyone suffering from eczema, it is a well known fact that cold dry winters are the absolute worst times for this skin condition. The itchy, flaky and discoloration associated with this skin condition is embarrassing and in this weather, is all the more difficult to hide. While there are medicinal ointments that you can have prescribed to you for this condition, most are far too harsh for several of the sensitive areas of skin which eczema can spread to.

If you have a history of eczema and you find yourself with a dry or itchy scalp, you may not automatically assume that it is eczema merely because the scalp is such a secondary body part and most people do not consider it "skin." However, it is important to remember that the scalp is just as much a part of your skin as your face is! The flaky dandruff that comes from a dry and itchy scalp can be embarrassing and incredibly disheartening if it does not disappear after dandruff treatments. Here is something to keep in mind: If you have a history of eczema and the dandruff does not decrease or stop after 2 or 3 uses of dandruff shampoo DO NOT CONTINUE! Dandruff shampoos such as Head & Shoulders actually dry the scalp out more if the dryness is caused by eczema and not simply by environmental factors. The healthiest and most effective way to combat eczema that has spread to the scalp, is to treat it daily with nourishing oils. Tea tree oil and jojoba oils are both great for this. It may sound a bit hippie-like, but by using these natural treatments we can assure that they are not too harsh for the sensitive skin of the scalp, and also the right nourishing properties of the oils will help ease the itching and keep the scalp from flaking. Not only are these oils great for your scalp but they both do wonders for your hair.

Another inconvenient although rare place that eczema can spread to is your lips. I had a huge problem with an outbreak here just recently. The itchy rash of tiny bumps broke out across my upper lip where thankfully, it was not visible but very annoying for me to feel physically, and also across a narrow strip below half of my bottom lip, as well as at the corners of my bottom lip. The skin was irritated, dry and discolored and was incredibly embarrassing. I couldn't even cover up the discoloration with lipstick because of how dry the skin was. Burt's Bees chapstick which works wonders on chapped lips under environmental stress (dry air) did absolutely nothing for the eczema except for making it sting something terrible! I managed to finally find two things that helped, though. I was able to put my regular medicine (clobetasol) on the skin below my bottom lip, but this is far too harsh to be applied to the lips themselves. What's a girl to do? I discovered two products that really helped a lot. The first being Nature's Lipcare in Lavender from Back 2 Basics. It tastes nice, it's moisturizing and it makes your lips incredibly soft. The other product was the Chapstick brand chapstick in their medicated wax version - not the squeeze tube version. For eczema, it's best to use wax based products rather than gel or liquid because wax has a sticking property. Both of these products, a little TLC and about a week's time have cleared up the outbreak nicely.

It is important to remember that eczema can spread, and that scratching it spreads it faster. Medicine can be received from a dermatologist easily enough, but for the more sensitive areas of your body you must remember to take special precautions and use the safest, most effective means possible to keep your outbreaks under control in this dry winter air!