The most common form of eczema is the itchy, rashy skin condition called atopic dermatitis. Unlike contact dermatitis, which can be blamed on a specific irritant or allergen, atopic eczema has no defined cause. It appears to be indirectly related to allergies because it's common in people who have respiratory allergy symptoms such as asthma.This skin condition needs to be managed with the right eczema treatment from the time it first appears, which, for 90 percent of those who have it, is in the first five years of life.If you aren’t among the lucky 40 percent who outgrow it in adulthood, you’ll want to follow an eczema skin care plan that helps prevent flare-ups and soothes them when they do occur.Control the Itch of EczemaKeeping itching under control is job No. 1 of any eczema treatment. “The first symptom of an eczema outbreak may be an itch, which a patient scratches,” explains dermatologist Jessica Wu, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at theUniversity of Southern California and Everyday Health skin and beauty expert.
“The scratching stimulates nerve endings in the skin and causes inflammation in the area, which turns into a visible rash and triggers further itching. Controlling the itch is key to controlling eczema outbreaks.”An important reason to keep the itching under control is that subsequent scratching can cause excessive damage. It’s a challenge to prevent eczema rashes from becoming infected, says Dr. Wu. “Bacteria can enter the skin through scratches and other open areas. I’ve seen increasing numbers of patients with eczema that becomes infected with Staph and other bacteria.”The Challenge of Adult EczemaOne frustration about adult eczema is that it’s usually front and center, on the face and neck. “The skin on the face is thinner than elsewhere on the body, so it’s more sensitive,” Wu explains. Facial eczema can be triggered by cosmetics or skin care products and it’s frequently found on the eyelids, where it can cause red, flaky, swollen upper and even lower eyelids.
It can also develop around the mouth. “It’s obviously more visible to others when it occurs on the face, so it’s important to treat it sooner rather than later.”However, the face is not the only area that can be affected. “Eczema patches on the body can become thick and discolored, especially after weeks to months of scratching, and they can develop scabs. The discoloration can persist even months after the itching goes away,” says Wu.And, because eczema makes your skin more fragile, you might be more vulnerable to other types of dermatitis. Hands are particularly at risk for eczema because they are exposed to many allergic and irritant triggers; the more hand-washing you do, the weaker your protective skin barrier can become.Proper Skin Care for EczemaSoothing is the operative word when putting together an eczema skin care routine. “Look for products that are specifically made for sensitive skin,” says Wu. “These are usually free of fragrance and other ingredients known to aggravate eczema, including lanolin.”
Also avoid retinol, vitamin C, alpha hyrdoxy or salicylic acids, as these can aggravate eczema. One beneficial ingredient to look for is hyaluronic acid, which holds moisture against your skin without being irritating.Try this step-by-step regimen to soothe eczema.Moisturizer plays a vital role in eczema skin care. An emollient-rich moisturizer can sometimes be effective alone; but when used in conjunction with a corticosteroid cream, the moisturizer makes the cream even more effective and may reduce the amount of time you need to use the steroid.Between eczema episodes, moisturizer can stave off dry skin and help protect skin’s top layer against the elements. Creams and lotions that contain an ingredient called ceramide have shown particularly good results in some research studies involving atopic dermatitis patients. Always apply moisturizer right after cleansing to help seal in moisture, and use moisturizer up to four times a day as needed.Too Much Is Not a Good ThingWu warns that there is a limit to how many times you can apply over-the-counter cortisone products to relieve itching.
Don’t use these products more than twice a day, and no more than two weeks in a row without taking a break. Cortisone creams can cause thinning of the skin if used long-term.Also, you may be frustrated by the scaly flakes of eczema, but resist picking at them. “It’s best to moisturize rather than try to remove them,” says Wu. Scrubbing or peeling off the flakes is likely to irritate the skin and cause more itching. “Plus, you may end up removing new skin that’s attached to the scaly flakes, causing bleeding and creating an opening that may allow bacteria to enter.”Remember that eczema symptoms may change as you age. Check in regularly with your dermatologist who can help keep your eczema skin care routine individualized for your changing needs, introduce you to newer treatment products, and help you sort through cleansers and moisturizers to find the best ones for you. Spread the Word to By Sharing this Article. Scientists have uncovered a new role played by vitamin C in protecting the skin, which could lead to better skin regeneration.
A form of vitamin C helped to promote wound healing and also helped protect the skin cells from DNA damage. Even though vitamin C was discovered over 70 years ago, its properties are still under much debate in the scientific community. However, antioxidants such as vitamin C are known to counter the damaging effects of free radicals. This new evidence suggest that, in addition to 'mopping up' free radicals, vitamin C can help remove the DNA damage they form if they get past a cell's defenses.These findings are believed to be of great relevance to the cosmetics industry. As mentioned above, there's much debate in scientific circles about the properties and value of vitamin C, not to mention controversy over whether or not such ingredients can have an actual impact on your skin or not. In this study, ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AA2P), a vitamin C derivative, was found to promote wound healing and helped protect cellular DNA against damage caused by oxidation. Oxidation, caused by free radicals, is associated with premature aging of your skin.
Antioxidants like vitamin C may offer protection against this kind of damage, which bodes well for natural cosmetics. It's important, however, to realize that since nearly everything you put on your skin is absorbed into your body, you need to investigate ALL the ingredients in your personal care products. The fact that something contains vitamin C is no guarantee that it's beneficial. Many brands, including so-called all-natural brands, will oftentimes include other harmful ingredients. But I certainly believe that just as feeding your body with only the best ingredients from nature, you also need to do the same for your skin. This was a major reason for creating my own USDA Certified Organic skin care line. That said, if you want truly gorgeous skin, you cannot ignore the importance of having a healthy lifestyle. Donna Gates, author of The Body Ecology Diet offers great advice on how to optimize the look and feel of your skin from deep within. Cleaning Your Skin From Within
Although advertisers would want you to believe that a beautiful complexion can be purchased in a jar, truly radiant, blemish-free skin is the result of clean, healthy living. The first step is to make sure your blood is continuously supplying healthy nutrients to every cell in your body. This is no easy task in today's world. You're assaulted with toxins from a multitude of sources, so cleansing your body of these dangerous substances while putting in the finest nutrients is essential. The good news is that your body is constantly in a cleansing mode and was created with the ability to push out toxins as long as you supply it with the energy to do so. By eating a healthy diet that is suitable for your nutritional type; focusing on whole, bioavailable organic foods, is your number one strategy for helping your body to detox naturally. Six Organs That Keep Your Skin Healthy The six organs responsible for providing you with beautiful skin include your: Your liver and kidneys are the two organs that filter out impurities on an ongoing basis.
If your diet is less than ideal, these two organs can easily become overtaxed. Sitting on top of your kidneys are your walnut-sized adrenals. Often called the "workhorses" of the body, they make many essential hormones including pregnenolone, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Healthy hormones are an essential ingredient when seeking energy and beautiful skin. A well-nourished, energetic thyroid also provides hormones and works closely with your adrenals to create energy. Dry, flakey, sluggish skin is evidence of a weak thyroid. Your liver, kidneys, adrenals and thyroid are also dependent on the condition of your small and large intestines. These two organs not only provide nutrients to other organs, but they are also responsible for the removal of waste products from your body. When waste meant for elimination remains in your intestines your skin becomes thick, oily and blemished. Pure, flawless skin is a reflection of clean intestines. All of the following items will have a negative effect on your inner organs, and therefore need to be avoided if you want clearer, healthier skin:
Chemicals and heavy metals Refined, processed table salt Foods that Promote Beautiful Skin Green foods that promote healthy liver function include chlorella and dark green leafy veggies, such as: Other foods known to contribute to healthy skin include raw and virgin fats and oils. Coconut oil is especially good for your thyroid. You'll also want to include plenty of mineral-rich foods (dark green leafy veggies, ocean veggies and seafood) and antioxidant-rich foods (black currants, blueberries) in your diet. Another group of foods worth mentioning are fermented (or cultured) foods. Fermented foods help promote the growth of friendly intestinal bacteria and aid in digestion. They also support healthy immune function, including an increase in B vitamins, omega-3, digestive enzymes, lactase and lactic acid, and other immune chemicals that fight off harmful bacteria. By keeping your insides healthy and clean, your skin will have no choice but follow suit and mirror your internal state.