Atopic dermatitis, also called hereditary eczema, is a condition that can leave your skin dry, scaly, and itchy. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition, but it can be managed by keeping your skin moist. However, there's more to moisturizing than just slathering some lotion on your skin. Here are three moisturizing tips for atopic dermatitis sufferers.
Choose a strong moisturizer
All moisturizers aren't created equal. There are three types of moisturizers: lotions, creams, and ointments. Lotions are fine for people with healthy skin, but they aren't a great choice when you have eczema. This is because water is the main ingredient in lotion, and this water evaporates quickly.
Creams are mixtures of grease and water, while ointments are semi-solid greases that don't contain much water. Both types of moisturizers can be a good choice for people with eczema. Creams can sometimes cause skin irritation, and the greasiness of ointments can be unpleasant, so you'll need to try a few different moisturizers to see what you like.
Avoid perfumed moisturizers
Moisturizers are available in a variety of scents, ranging from coconut to lavender to chocolate, and while these scents may smell nice, they may lead to a flare up of your eczema symptoms. This is because fragrances can irritate your skin and trigger your condition.
To avoid triggering a flare up, choose a moisturizer that's labelled "fragrance-free." Unscented products may contain masked fragrances that could irritate your skin. Carefully read labels to make sure that no fragrances are present. To be safe, always test a new moisturizer on a small patch of your skin first to be sure that it doesn't irritate you.
Moisturize after showering
To lock in moisture, apply your preferred moisturizer right after you have a shower (or bath). After a shower, the upper layers of your skin absorb water, and by applying moisturizer right away, you keep this water from evaporating.
For best results, pat your skin dry—gently, to avoid triggering your eczema—and then apply the moisturizer. If you put the moisturizer on when you're still soaking wet, your moisturizer will get diluted and won't form a good barrier on your skin.
If your eczema is only on your hands, you can also soak them in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes instead of having a shower.
Moisturizing is a key treatment for eczema, but you need to do it properly to get the best results. If you need help with your moisturizing routine, ask your family doctor, such as http://www.MLPrimaryCare.com, for more tips.
Share28 September 2016
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