Eczema Skin Care Tips
After receiving numerous queries regarding eczema, I thought it best to summarise a few tips on how I have learnt to manage my very sensitive skin condition. Please take the following notes in the spirit it is intended. I am not a Qualified Dermatologist/Doctor. I can only speak from my own personal Eczema experience. If you have not yet consulted your Doctor about a skin condition that is currently affecting you, I would strongly advise that you seek his or her advice before trying other avenues. For example, your skin condition/eczema may be a symptom of an underlying condition?
As a child I experienced infantile eczema/nappy rashes, I then appeared to grow out of it. Later, in my adult years my tolerance to food and skin sensitivities decreased considerably, which led to some extremely aggressive bouts of eczema and irritating food allergies. The final straw was when I visited my Doctor and was asked to, for the millionth time, that I should think about "keeping a diary"... that was it. I just couldn't let these allergies rule my life, not any more...! I had to step up and learn what made me tick, and what didn't! I then started to really take note of what upset me... that was when my life turned around and started to feel much better!
Some helpful tips for Eczema on the Body:
When experiencing eczema it is very important to treat it with the steroid treatment prescribed to you by your Doctor. If the skin is left open/raw/inflamed/bleeding, there is an extreme risk of infection; steroids will help and should cease the infection in its tracks. I tried many alternative remedies in the beginning, but the only sure way forward was medical intervention. But saying that, it’s one thing getting rid of eczema temporarily, but being rid of it for good was now my goal!
Once the infection/bleeding/weeping & general rawness has been cleared up with the use of steroids I heavily moisturised my skin with natural & organic skincareointments which are great for after steroid applications [after gently cleansing the skin]. I kept moisturising my skin even though clumps of dry flaky skin clumps fell off. I constantly reapplied natural & organic ointments as the eczema areas began to dry out & flake off leaving raw exposed new skin. These natural & organicointments contain plenty of Essential Fatty Acids, the best for skin challenges.
 I noticed that when I used any new products on my skin whilst it was in an inflamed/infectious state, it created new sensitivities for me, regardless of whether the products were natural or otherwise [more specifically products containing more essential oils & herbal extracts]. I personally found it best to opt for a very basic natural & organic ingredientointment when my skin was in a highly reactive/allergic state. While I continuously applied these natural & organic ointments to my skin, I wore old clothes; the aim here was to keep my skin at optimum moisture levels and my good clothes would have become spoilt with all the oily natural & organic balms & ointments I was using! This part of the process took me about half a week to complete. I was at the time signed off sick from work, so, back then I could take every day as it came.
Using topical steroids also unfortunately re-starts the eczema itching! This is why eczema keeps coming back/becomes re-infected, it’s that unbearable urge to rip my skin off, that unbearable burning itch that I just couldn't leave alone. Whilst at the stage of heavily moisturising my flaky skin, I tried antihistamines [important: I checked with my Doctor first]. When the skin starts to heal and peel in very dry thick layers it can feel like a heavy sticky clay mask tugging and this keeps the burning urge to itch going. The antihistamines were excellent for ridding the horrible urge to scratch. They really did work for me because after the initial 7/8 hours were complete, the urge to scratch came back. [The only antihistamines that halted the itching was Benedryl Plus. I tried the normal Benedryl, but experienced no itch relief at all]. Even after the eczema itch stopped, I continued topping up my moisture levels, this was vital! I only stopped heavily moisturising with natural & organic ointments when I stopped the antihistamines and my skin no longer itched without the aid of antihistamines. I kept my former eczema skin well moisturised for a good few weeks more, just to ensure that the integrity of my skin was intact [depending on age, it can take up to four weeks for fresh new skin to appear from the base layer]. I can truly say now, that the paranoia of eczema returning does get better, eventually! The day that I left my skin free of any lotions and potions without worry was very liberating indeed!
I found that a little sunlight was very beneficial for eczema. After heavily moisturising the very dry and flaky skin [with no infection] I sat in the garden for about 10 minutes, after 3:45pm, to avoid burning. Of course, if weather permitting.
Whilst I was trying to heal myself topically, I conducted some research on Essential Fatty Acids. These are precursors for the hormones that look after the skin and reproductive system. Unfortunately, by the time that I noticed that I lacked EFAs, it took me some time to get my levels back to normal. Hair and skin are always the first to be compromised when the system is running below normal. Whilst I increased my EFAs by eating the correct foods [avocados, nuts & seeds – or, as a quick fix ~ pure Flaxseed & Hempseed Oils] I thought it a good idea to take supplements for increased effectiveness ~ and they worked marvellously, which is why we now retail these ethically createdViridian & Solgar Supplements.
NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED! Well, it was at least until I had the Eczema under control. I personally found that when I drank alcohol, this made the itching burn so much worse. My skin would be red/hot/inflamed and weeping after a few glasses the night before! This is due to the alcohol leaching precious hydration and nutrients from the body.
I made a deliberate effort to include plenty of ‘rainbow food’ into my diet, these are vegetables and fruits of all colours. These helped and ensured that I ingested all the beneficial enzymes available for my bodily functions. For increased effectiveness I chose Organic foods.
I ensured that I received plenty of rest, sleep is a wonderful rejuvenator. I skipped those nights out until I had the Eczema under full control.
SOAP – I only recommend to use soap that is natural with plenty of natural vegetable glycerine, a good oily/fatted soap is best for the skin. Most conventional soaps are devoid of the much needed moisture giving glycerine. I avoid Sodium Lauryl Sulphates at all costs. This is a known skin sensitiser/irritant. This harsh detergent is found in most, if not all commercial mainstream products. When I used SLS on my skin, my acid mantle became seriously disrupted. Of course it does depend on how much SLS is in a product and how much is used. I avoided commercial bubble baths - they stripped my natural skin oils, as they do tend to contain more SLS than say for example, a shampoo/body wash. Skin needs to retain a nice natural water resistant base to defend itself from invading microbes, etc. The sebum and sweat combine nicely to form this healthy acid mantle (the pH balance) which is also a mild anti-bactericide too. Hence, more sensitive skins like mine and not forgetting babies too [baby skin does not have a fully formed protective Acid Mantle yet] will be prone to the chance of experiencing skin disorders/problems when using SLS products. Unfortunately, for some, the need to remove all trace of natural oil from the skin whilst showering and bathing is the only way one feels clean. Over washing can seriously damage our skin. Since using less harsh detergents and avoiding products with petro-chemical derived emollients my skin's ability to function has become far more efficient and also results in far fewer eczema episodes & spots.
Confusion also hit me when I started to experience a combination/oily facial skin type. I later discovered that this is a typical reaction a sensitive skin uses when faced with harsh detergents as it tires to over compensate from an offensive attack. The skin starts to produce more oil (sebum) as a form of self-protection. Pores became clogged and infected from this excess oil, trapping debris and resulting in spots. For me, the balance was constantly being tipped until I stopped stripping my skin's natural defence and plastering it with cling-film type petrochemical emollients. Of course, when choosing natural skincare, there is a need to be aware that all base oils have differing characteristics; some are more suited to mature/dry skins whereas other base oils are more suited to more sensitive/combination type skins. But saying that, all the products in our shop specify the skin type it was originally created for.
 After moisturising my skin heavily, whether with natural or otherwise, my skin become clogged, especially after using so many after steroid treatmentointments for my eczema. My skin needed to breathe. Too much on my skin can also lead on to that hot burning eczema itch. I now needed to achieve a delicate balance between using natural & organic ointments and a very mild and gentle natural soap at bath/shower time. When my eczema was at its most intense, a bath was the last thing I wanted, so I opted for short showers instead. However, these natural oil bath products helped when I really wanted a bath.
After suffering with eczema for long periods of time, it was great to finally have a wonderful exfoliating session! I can now exfoliate my skin on a regular basis, about once every two weeks/once a month is right for me. I would only suggest trying to exfoliate once the skin has gone back to normal, ensuring that about a month has passed with a good track record of healthy skin even before attempting to exfoliate [just in case!]. Once I had completed exfoliating, I ensured that the fresh bare layers of skin were sealed with a lovely natural & organic moisturiser. Our natural & organic moisturisers contain plenty of nourishing Essential Fatty Acids, to ensure that the skin is protected. From hereinafter it is now about maintaining healthy skin, so a lighter natural & organic body moisturiser would be much better for potentially over-reactive skins, rather than the natural & organic ointments previously used for after steroid treatments.
I try to exercise on a regular basis, drink plenty of water and ensure I obtain the optimum balance of soluble & insoluble fibre my digestive system requires. The constant flow of fresh new liquid releases toxins from my system, sluggish lymph is able to move along far more efficiently when I exercise. These basic routines help me to experience far more balance within my bodily system.
Whilst overhauling my skin care routine & diet I also started to look at the type of household products I used for cleaning my home. The 'normal' available supermarket cleaning products are, I discovered by mistake, my main source of allergies! These include hayfever/sinitus/general flu symptoms, headaches/migraines & eczema. For me, they increased allergy episodes which was a sure sign that I also suffer miserably with multiple chemical sensitivity too. So, since May 2005 we have been using various ranges of eco friendly/natural & organic household cleaning products and now offer these wonderful items from our shop. These cleaning products are also free of all irritating artificial fragrances too, so I can personally vouch that since coming away from artificial fragrances, I am now 100% free from my numerous ailments. These additional allergy symptoms used to be debilitating in late March, early April & June. Now, I only become ill when I come into contact with the conventional 'normal' cleaning products available in the supermarkets and with people who wear artificial fragrances. I have never felt so healthy!
 I know it is easier said than done, but I do try and take some time to relax. I found that yoga & meditating was excellent in helping me keep calm in times of stress. Mind discipline is certainly a skill I would say overcomes stressful situations. Mind over matter in my opinion is achievable. I have been practicing meditation since 1999, and can easily keep my mind clear and focused. Of course, in the early years when I first tried meditation, it was an ordeal ~ I just couldn't clear my mind, the more I tried, the more crowded it became! I would become so impatient with myself! But like all things, it just took practice. I feel my lesson for me was to stop being so hard on myself and fully accept myself as I am right now! Our thoughts are so very powerful and my body reacts to every single thought that enters my mind. I found that my thoughts created instant bodily reactions. If I have a fearful thought my body releases stress hormones, immediately! So, I never underestimate the power of my thoughts.
My main allergy triggers are 1. Sodium Lauryl Sulphates; 2 Petroleum based emollients and finally, 3. Artificial Fragrances. These ingredients can be found in most, if not all, mainstream skincare and hair care products. The affects of petro-chemical derived ingredient emollients suffocate sensitive skin’s ability to breathe; the petro-chemical based skincare acts like a cling-film wrap. Sensitive skins have a habit of creating heat when in discomfort. When the skin becomes hot and itchy this can lead to eczema, especially more so if used in conjunction with SLS and artificial fragrances.
Of course, everyone’s triggers are most certainly different and very unique to the individual, some people are allergic to naturally occurring ingredients. If you are unable to find suitable products, we do have a wonderful FREE SAMPLE SERVICE which may help with choice dilemmas.
If you require further assistance with your orders, please do not hesitate to contact me, Angie. I help many people on a daily basis to recognise problem areas [if I have not already flagged them in the above notes].
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