Eczema, a form of dermatitis, manifests as patches of redness and dry skin on the body around elbows and shins. Here are some tips for dealing with it.


Steps

1. Work out what it is that causes your flare ups. Have you just bought a new shower gel? Does your new job require to wash your hands more than you usually would? If nothing has changed recently in your life that you think could've caused a flare up, it may be that some of the ingredients in products you use every day have changed.
2. Stop using harsh soaps, shampoos, and detergents on your skin and in your laundry. Bargain brands often contain harsh chemicals that can strip away the skins protective oils. Some stores stock washing products specifically designed for people with eczema and although they tend to be a little more expensive, they'll save you a lot of discomfort. Also, Tide now sells detergent without any added fragrances called "Tide Free."
3. Inspect your clothing, especially if the condition is on skin that contacts clothing. Make sure your clothes are rinsed well of detergent residue in the laundry. Check clothing for rivets or snaps that may contain nickel. Be wary of scratchy seams, netting or embroidery, especially around tight areas of movement, such as the inside of the elbow and the underarms.
4. Don't scratch the itch. If you choose an antihistamine, be aware that some can aggravate skin problems and have side effects that may outweigh the positive effects. Some menthol ointments reduce itching.
5. Buy a good quality moisturiser, preferably one specifically designed for eczema suffers (such as E45). It should be colourless, odourless and as gentle as possible. A moisturiser with a built in SPF is also a good idea. Good alternatives include beewax based balms.
6. Avoid direct sunlight exposure to skin. Be aware of how much exposure your arms receive while in your car. Sunlight dries your skin, creating more aggravation to eczema. At the same time, be sure you're getting enough sunlight exposure for your daily dose of vitamin D. It's a delicate balance!
7. Keep skin moisturized throughout the day. Bathe with bath oil added. Try the oatmeal bath given to children with chicken pox. Don't rub skin with a towel, but pat dry, then moisturize routinely, especially if you wash your hands a lot on a day to day basis.
8. Moisturize at bedtime. As you sleep, your skin will get prepared for the next day. Use thicker emollients or ointments on the affected area, being watchful that these do not start to clog pores. Pine tar ointment is used by some. Vitamin E can be applied to skin or taken orally. Simply pierce one end of a capsule with a pin and use as a skin lotion.
9. Before taking a bath, cover yourself with a moisturizer, like emulsifying ointment or aqueous cream. Spend just long enough in the bath to gently wash off the moisturizer, using it instead of soap. This will prevent the water from the bath drying your skin out more. Pat yourself dry with a towel. Apply lots more moisturizer once you get out of the bath.
10. Eat a healthy diet. Include foods that are rich in vitamins A, B6, and essential fatty acids. Add some nutritional supplements, like B complex and vitamin E.
11. Get tested for food intolerances. These can build up over time and can cause various reactions, a main one of which is eczema. Common foods that you body can become intolerant to include lactose (dairy), wheat and sugar.
12. Don't stress. Stress seems to be the greatest contributor to eczema flare-ups. Are you high strung? Reduce pressure in your life. Do not allow trivial matters to create anxiety.

Tips

• Avoid any and all products with mineral oil or petroleum, as these products clog pores and do not allow the skin to breathe. Petroleum based products have also been known to dry the skin further.
• Noxema and Aloe are good over the counter ways to help.
• Tenovate is also good and very effective.
• Try adding Fish Oil capsules to your diet. Check sensitivity to pork and food dyes. Seafood has also been known to incur an allergic reaction.
• If you have it on your lips, don't lick and apply shea butter to the affected areas. During flare ups, make sure your balm or gloss is a natural oil based product. Essential oils like lavender and tea tree might offer some relief to itchy areas.
• Hydrocortizone cream is only a temporary solution. It is a topical steroid, and does not prevent flare ups, but rather makes flare ups easier to tolerate.

Warnings

• These suggestions are not meant to take the place of a physician's advice.
• Be aware of possible allergic reactions to some treatments. Discontinue immediately if allergic symptoms occur.
• If scratched eczema starts to smell, or seems to be weeping or bleeding a lot, go and see a doctor immediately. Your skin is the biggest organ in your body, so allowing it to get infected is a very bad idea.