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Understanding Eczema. It's causes and treatments.
Eczema
is a harsh skin condition. It blisters, cracks, itches, flakes, crusts and dries. It may also bleed, and be really dry. If you are a sufferer, the symptoms can drive you mad. I have suffered for years, and unfortunately so have my two children. I have tried every drug and herbal therapy going in my attempts to control outbreaks. It is a difficult condition to manage because of the many ways it presents itself and doctors aren't really sure what causes it.
Types
To hear another persons account in dealing with the constant itching and scratching of eczema, Click Here! It's an amazing story.
Treatment
- Apply an anti-itch cream or calamine lotion to the affected area. A nonprescription hydrocortisone cream, containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone, can temporarily relieve your itch. A nonprescription oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others), may be helpful if your itching is severe.
- Apply cool, wet compresses.
- Take a comfortably cool bath. Put an
emollient
oil in your bathwater and soak the affected area for at least 5 minutes. (emollient oils such as Aveeno, Keri, Avon Skin So Soft) You could also sprinkle your bath water with baking soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal - a finely ground oatmeal that is made for the bathtub (Aveeno, others).
- Avoid scratching whenever possible. After applying a rich emollient cream, cover the itchy area with a dressing if you can't keep from scratching it. Trim nails and wear gloves at night. If your little ones are scratching try putting socks on their hands.
- Wear smooth-textured cotton clothing. This will help you avoid irritating the affected area.
- Use a hypo allergenic laundry detergent when washing clothes, towels and bedding. My favorites are Natura and Purex. Try using the extra rinse cycle on your wash machine.
For some more great information and treatment options
click here.
Eczema treatment site will open in a new window.
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