Dealing with eczema – Metro

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I hear stop scratching at least once a day.

For someone with eczema its one of the most annoying things. Do you not think Id stop if I could? Im certainly not itching because its fun.

According to the National Eczema Society, however,one in twelve adults have eczema, which is no small figure for something so misunderstood.

Put in the most simple terms, people with eczema produce less fat and oil in their skin. This means they have less of a barrier against bacteria and infection, and skin can become cracked and inflamed. Everyone experiences this differently, with some having red patches, some getting itchy, and some getting weeping or bleeding sores (or a mixture of those).

While eczema cant be cured it can be managed, and finding the right combination of treatments means you wont feel like a flaky, sore mess.

These are every eczema suffers best friend, and act an as everyday moisturiser to help reduce moisture loss from the skin. My weapon of choice is Doublebase Gel, which comes in huuuuge pump bottles and I douse my whole body in up to three times a day.

Ive devised a handy system for applying mine, but it sounds ridiculous to anyone that doesnt require efficient post-shower moisturising. Each part of my body gets a different pump dosage: Four for each arm, two for each calf, etc. Its important to find a way that works for you so that you keep up with your regimen, as the drier your skin gets, the more likely it is to get infected.

You can be prescribed emollients, or use readily available options like E45, Cetraben, or Eucerin. Steer clear of using aqueous cream for this purpose, however, as they contain sodium lauryl sulphate which can do more harm than good.

For more severe eczema, your GP might prescribe you a steroid cream or ointment. One of the milder versions you may recognise hydrocortisone which is safe for use on children and on the face. Depending on the severity of your condition and where youre affected, there are different strengths. Some also come with anti-microbial ingredients if your skin is already infected.

As someone whos been on some pretty harsh creams (holla at my Dermovate gang), I cant stress enough the importance of following doctors instructions. Some of these can thin the skin, so they should only be used during a flare-up in the way youve been told to use them.

Similarly, if youre discontinuing use, speak to your pharmacist or GP, as in some cases you can experience a steroid flare-up which is super painful.

All your hard work can be undone in this stage, so you have to be very careful with what you use to wash.

Most shower gels have some form of surfactant/sulphate, which is what takes the dirt off your body in a foam to wash it away. There are plenty of variants of these, with some being more irritating than others. If you can find a low sulphate gel, or one that has no SLS, itll probably be a lot gentler.

In any good chemist youll be able to find loads of options like Oilatum, that keep you clean without stripping natural oils.

Some people find that avoiding certain things helps them avoid flare-ups. Very cold or hot weather can have an effect, as can they type of clothes you wear and the laundry detergent you use. Try to stick to cotton clothing where possible, and use a non-bio washing detergent specifically for sensitive skin.

Keep a diary of eczema triggers, which could be pets or cleaning products, and do what you can to stay away from them.

On top of your skin regime, many people have started changing their diet to improve their skin. Replacing dairy with hemp milk has been recommended online, and so has avoiding gluten.

Essentially, its such an individual skin condition that theres never going to be a one-size fits all solution. The main thing is to keep your skin as hydrated as possible (even if that means waking up earlier in the morning) and trying different things until you find something that works for you.

And for you non-eczema sufferers: Stop telling us to stop itching!

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Dealing with eczema - Metro