Eczema: Scratching the Surface

As one who has suffered from eczema since I was a child, I know just how much of a pain it can be trying to find something to soothe the itching. Eczema is just the general term used to describe many different inflamed skin conditions. One of the most common form of eczema and the one I am often afflicted with is atopic dermatitis. Roughly 10 to 20 percent of the world's population is afflicted with this itchy skin rash, with the majority of them being children. It has been said that most children grow out of it with age but that is not always the case. I had my first flare up with atopic dermatitis when I was 11 years old. Nearly 13 years later, I still have frequent flare ups, especially during allergy season and often during the winter months.

What causes eczema to flare up? Well there are a number of possible culprits such as stress, clothing, allergies, detergent, disinfectants, and even certain foods. The skin usually becomes itchy and scaly, often with dry skin flaking up. In addition to being extremely uncomfortable, dark eczema spots can be quite embarrassing. My eczema usually appears as very dark brown spots on my neck, behind my ears, and even in the back of my scalp. When the skin gets very dry it often flakes and the itching is enough to drive you crazy. While there is no known cure for eczema, there are things you can do to keep it I check and reduce or eliminate most of the uncomfortable itching.

For starters, it's important to try to identify any irritants that may trigger flare ups. If you get flare ups after you eat a certain food or from wearing a certain material, you should avoid it. It is common for people with eczema to have asthma and other allergies. In certain seasons when there are more allergens in the air, it may seem nearly impossible to avoid them all. Outbreaks of eczema can be controlled by moisturizing frequently, being careful to avoid allergens, trying to prevent extra stress, not being in temperatures that are too hot or too cold, and applying cortizoids or other prescription creams.

I personally had very little relief from the prescribed creams I've gotten over the years. After awhile my skin would get used to it and they would stop being effective. One thing I've recently started doing is washing my eczema with Noxema. While researching home remedies for eczema, I read that Noxema is good for treating eczema, hence the name (No-X-Ema). Just a couple of days after I started using it, I noticed my eczema was barely itching at all. When it comes to moisturizing, I avoid regular soaps and instead use a moisturizing body wash like Dove. I also lotion up with body butter or moisturizing lotion made specifically for dry skin. In addition to moisturizing on the outside, it's important to moisturize on the inside as well which is why it's important to drink lots of water. Try to avoid pops or sodas because they don't hydrate the skin. Antihistamines can also be taken to help alleviate itching and allergies that causes itching. I make it a point to keep my nails trimmed short so that I don't break the skin from scratching. Cold compresses work well to control the itching. If you don't have one, grab a bag of frozen vegetables out of the freezer and apply it directly to the itchy area.

It's no doubt that eczema can be a serious pain. Just like with other ailments, you have to learn the treatment that works best for you. Whether it's Aveeno oatmeal baths or hydrocortisone creams, since there is no cure for eczema we have to find out the best way to deal with it.