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Tips
on How to Care for Your Eczema
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Limit the amount of contact
you have with things that can irritate your skin.
Limit your contact
with irritating substances. Some things that may irritate
your skin include household cleansers, detergents, aftershave
lotions, soap, gasoline, turpentine and other solvents.
Try to avoid contact with things that make you break out
with eczema. Because soaps and wetness can cause skin
irritation, wash your hands only when necessary, especially
if you have eczema on your hands. Avoid contact with harsh
detergents, solvents and chemicals not intended for use
on the skin.
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Wear gloves to protect the
skin on your hands when you're doing something that requires
you to have your hands in water.
Wear vinyl or plastic
gloves for work that requires you to have your hands in
water. Also, wear gloves when your hands will be exposed
to anything that can irritate your skin. Wear cotton gloves
under plastic gloves to soak up sweat from your hands.
Take breaks and remove your gloves to prevent a build-up
of sweat inside your gloves. Wear gloves when you go outside
in the winter. Cold air and low humidity can dry your
skin, and dryness can make your skin irritation worse.
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Wear clothes made of cotton
or a cotton blend.
Wool and some synthetic
fabrics can irritate your skin. Most people with sensitive
skin feel better in clothes made of cotton or a cotton
blend.
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Use mild soap when you take
a bath or shower.
Bathe only with
a mild soap, such as Dove, Basis or Oil of Olay. Use only
a little soap when bathing. Keep the water temperature
cool or warm, not hot. Soaking in the tub can be good
for your skin, since it can help the skin's outer layer
to absorb water and become less dry. Soak for 15 to 20
minutes, then use a soft towel to pat dry without rubbing.
Immediately after drying, apply a moisturizer to your
skin. This helps seal in the moisture.
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Use medicine your doctor
has prescribed for you if your eczema gets worse.
When your eczema
flares up (gets worse), use the medicine prescribed by
your doctor. Use it right after bathing. Medicine used
to treat eczema is usually a steroid medicine. You rub
the medicine on your skin twice a day for two to three
weeks. Call your doctor if your skin does not get better
after three weeks of using the medicine.
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Use a moisturizer on your
skin every day.
Moisturizers help
keep your skin soft and flexible. They prevent skin cracks.
A plain moisturizer is best. Avoid moisturizers with fragrances
(perfume) and a lot of extra ingredients. A good, cheap
moisturizer is plain petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Use moisturizers
that are more greasy than creamy, because creams usually
have more preservatives in them. Regular use of a moisturizer
can help prevent the dry skin that is common in winter,
when the air is cold and dry.
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Avoid scratching or rubbing
the itchy area.
Try not to scratch
the irritated area on your skin even if it itches. Scratching
can break the skin. Bacteria can enter these breaks and
cause infection.
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Avoid getting too hot and
sweaty.
Too much heat and
sweat can make your skin more irritated and itchy. Try
to avoid activities that make you hot and sweaty.
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Learn how to manage stress
in your life.
Eczema can flare
up when you are under stress. Learn how to recognize and
cope with stress. Stress reduction techniques can help.
Changing your activities to reduce daily stress can also
be helpful.
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Once Your Skin Has Healed
Continue careful
skin care. Use a moisturizer at least twice a day. After
healing, the area where you had the irritation may get
irritated again easily. It needs special care.
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