Parents: Issues You May Face When Your Child Has Eczema [ March 3rd, 2010 ] Posted in » Uncategorized

Eczema Free Forever

If your child was recently diagnosed with eczema, also commonly known as atopic dermatitis, you have a long road ahead. Although eczema is easily treated at home, there are many hard issues that you, as a parent, will face.

Nighttime Itching

You might assume that nighttime itching is the same as daytime itching for children with eczema, but it can be very different, especially in small children. Although they do not fully understand the complications that can arise from constant scratching, children are aware of their actions during the day. On the other hand, many small children continue to scratch in the middle of the night, without even being aware of their actions. This type of eczema is difficult to treat, as you cannot spend every night grabbing your child’s arm before they itch.

To combat the nighttime itching that is common among children with eczema, look for doable alternatives. If dust is a trigger factor, keep your child’s room clean and dust-free. If sweat is a trigger factor, dress them in light clothes and keep their room a cool temperature. If you don’t know the cause, try to keep areas susceptible to itching, such as the arms and legs, covered.

Pain

An eczema outbreak starts out relatively pain free. It typically begins with a simple itch that can’t stop. Soon, your child may find themselves literally digging at their skin. They mistakenly believe this will make the itch go away, but it doesn’t and it only gets worse. Severe rashes and the open wounds caused by constant scratching can lead to pain and discomfort. No parent wants to see their child in pain. That is why you must stop it at the source. Work with your child and his or her doctor to determine your child’s trigger factors. These are what cause the uncontrollable urge to itch. In the meantime, keep your child’s skin well moisturized.

Concern from Other Parents

Although eczema and atopic dermatitis are common among small children, you are likely to get many stares on the playground. This is most common if your child’s eczema rashes can be seen by other parents. Although you should keep your child’s open wounds covered to prevent infection, don’t just cover them to please others.

“Is eczema contagious?” That is a common question that many parents may ask. Unfortunately, some parents don’t even ask, they may automatically assume it is. You and your child owe no one an explication, as eczema is nothing but an inflammation of the skin. However, you may want to spread the word. As heartbreaking as it is to see other parents and kids point out your child’s eczema rash, it is a normal reaction that most don’t know how to avoid.

These are just a few of the issues you may face as the parent of a child with eczema. Since your child is young and does not fully understand their skin condition, you must work with them to seek relief.

Beat Eczema: Find Your Trigger Factor with Trial and Error

Eczema Free Forever

If you suffer from eczema, you want to seek relief, but you need to do more. To eliminate eczema as an issue, you must stop it at the source. This involves doing more than treating your symptoms. It means finding your trigger factor and stopping it at the source.

Right about now, you may be asking yourself “what exactly is a trigger factor?” A trigger factor is a phrase that is used to describe the onset on an eczema outbreak. Something gives you the uncontrollable urge to itch your skin, which results in a red rash. If scratched more, that rash can turn into an oozing blister-like sore or a rough, flaky patch of skin.

As previously stated, eczema sufferers don’t scratch and dig at their skin just for the fun of it. There is a reason. You need to find yours. Although there are many eczema causes, medical professionals have developed lists of the most common. For some patients, an outbreak is caused by warm or cold weather. For others, airborne allergens, such as dust, mold, and pet dander, is the culprit. Many patients have an outbreak due to eating certain foods. Most commonly, an outbreak is caused by close skin contact with a certain chemical, such as those found in household cleaners, laundry detergents, scented lotions, and perfumes.

You now know some of the most common eczema causes, but how do you determine which is yours? You do so through trial and error. Unfortunately, this may not be the easiest process, but it is one of the most effective ways to seek permanent relief.

As previously stated, close contact with chemicals is a common cause of eczema. These chemicals are unnatural, but found in many everyday health and beauty products. If you are a woman who applies makeup, stop for a few days. Are your face and hands still irritated? If not, you have found your trigger factor. On the other hand, if you may need to keep looking. You know makeup isn’t the cause, so look at your lotion. Is it scented or do you wear perfume? Once again eliminate these for a few days. Do you notice an improvement? If not, keep searching.

Although close contact with certain chemicals is a leading cause of eczema, it may not be the source of yours. Think about when you experience an outbreak. What were you doing in the hours before? Were you outside in the cold or cleaning your house? If so, the weather and airborne allergens, respectively, may be your trigger factors. As with household beauty products, make necessary adjustments to your daily routine and look for signs of improvement.

January 26th, 2010 | Leave a Comment

5 Reasons to Use Home Remedies to Treat Eczema

Eczema Free Forever

When it comes to treating and managing eczema, sufferers have many choices. You may have heard that home remedies work, but do they? Although our bodies are all different, they have proven effective for many. That is just one of many reasons why home remedies are recommended for the treatment of eczema, continue reading on for five more.

Reason #1 – Affordability

When using home remedies to treat eczema, you may need to purchase a few supplies, but they are pretty affordable when compared to prescription medications. Moreover, you may already have what you need inside your home. In that case, no additional money is needed to seek relief.

Reason #2 – No Doctor’s Visits

Not only does avoiding the doctor save you money, but it also eliminates a major hassle. If you work outside of the home or are a parent, you must arrange time off from work or childcare. Don’t lose money or time with your kids. Home remedies enable you to treat your eczema from home and with ease.

Reason #3 – Many Choices

Home remedies are treatment options you can do at home. For eczema, you have many choices. Something as simple as locking in moisture with lotion after a bath is considered a home remedy, as is drinking plenty of water. Other home remedies include wet wraps, oatmeal baths, oatmeal pastes, and diet changes. With many home remedies to choose from, you are sure to find an easy to implement remedy that works.

Reason #4 – Fewer Risks

Home remedies for eczema are used as alternatives for prescription medications and some over-the-counter products. Many sufferers opt for home remedies because they are safer. There are fewer risks and side effects. Your goal is to seek treatment, not have other medical issues and complications to deal with too.

Reason #5 – You Have Nothing to Lose

As previously stated, most home remedies for eczema are affordable, safe, and you have many choices. Most importantly, you are able to avoid the hassle of regular doctor’s appointments. With these benefits and a high rate of success in many eczema patients, what do you have to lose? Nothing. If you haven’t already tried home remedies to manage and treat your eczema, try them. Chances are you will like the end result.

January 12th, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Common Types of Eczema Reviewed

Eczema Free Forever

Eczema is a chronic skin condition that affects millions of Americans. Although each of these individuals is plagued with sensitive and easily irritated skin, there are different types of eczema. A few of the most common diagnoses made are outlined and briefly reviewed below.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic Dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. Luckily, the condition is rarely constant. Instead, those who suffer from this type of eczema experience outbreaks or flare-ups. Trigger factors, which may include certain foods and chemical irritations, are the leading cause of atopic dermatitis. Patients who determine their trigger factors and work to eliminate them tend to experience fewer and less severe flare-ups.

Contact Eczema

Contact eczema is similar to atopic dermatitis, but it results in a localized reaction. A common cause of a contact eczema outbreak is direct skin contact with chemicals. For example, some women may experience flare-ups on their risks, hands, or face after applying makeup. Although anyone can suffer from contact eczema, those with a history of allergies are more prone.

Seborrheic Eczema

Seborrheic eczema, like other forms of the condition, is an inflammation of the skin. The skin is irritated. This eczema, however, is used to describe flare-ups and outbreaks that don’t have a cause. Many areas of the body are targeted, but the face and scalp are most commonly affected. A common example of this type of eczema is cradle cap in babies and infants.

Nummular Eczema

Although relatively rare and uncommon, nummular eczema is another type of diagnosable eczema. The most noticeable and distinguishable feature is patches of irritated skin that are coin shaped. It is a chronic condition. Allergies, family history of eczema, and asthma lead to an increased risk. While anyone can have nummular eczema, it is most common in elderly males.

There are other types of eczema that men, women, and children suffer from. Although the names are different, the treatment options are usually the same. Medical professionals recommend avoiding skin irritants, keeping the body well moisturized, and making the switch to all-natural products. For an accurate diagnosis on what type of eczema you suffer from, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.

January 5th, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Eczema Flare-Ups: What They Are and How To Avoid Them

Eczema Free Forever

Eczema is a chronic skin condition, also commonly known as atopic dermatitis. Sufferers often feel the constant need to itch the skin. This itching can lead to red rashes, blister-like sores that ooze, and scaly, rough patches of skin. The phrase “eczema flare-ups,” is used to describe outbreaks or episodes where the condition gets worse.

Those who suffer from eczema are often plagued with the skin condition for life, but there are ways to seek relief. Unfortunately, this relief can be short-term. Some individuals can go months without an eczema rash and wakeup one morning to have a significant outbreak. Although there is no way to cure eczema, there are steps you can take to avoid regular flare-ups.

Avoid Eczema Flare-Ups #1 – Find Your Trigger Factor

The phrase “trigger factor,” is often used to describe the onset of an eczema outbreak. Something triggers the skin. It is irritated and produces a reaction. There are different causes for flare-ups and outbreaks, but medical professional have developed a list of common factors. They include dairy products, chemical irritants, allergies, the weather, and stress.

Avoid Eczema Flare-Ups #2 – Eliminate Your Trigger Factors

Once you believe you found the cause of your flare-ups, eliminate these as an issue. Keep a daily log to monitor what you eat, what you are doing, and what you come into contact with. Compare your outbreaks to this log to determine possible culprits. Then, work to avoid them. You should automatically notice a reduction in outbreaks.

Avoid Eczema Flare-Ups #3 – Avoid Too Much Direct Sunlight

While sunlight is good for the body and skin, too much of it can cause dry skin. Dry skin is another common cause of eczema educed breakouts. Don’t hide inside and avoid the sun forever, but display caution. Apply sun screen, wear covering clothes, and seek sunlight in moderation.

Avoid Eczema Flare-Ups #4 – Keep the Skin Well Moisturized

As previously stated, dry skin can lead to an eczema outbreak. Avoid dry skin by keeping your body hydrated and well-moisturized. After a shower or bath, immediately dab the skin slightly dry and apply moisturize. Continue applying lotions and creams throughout the day.

These are just a few ways that you can avoid eczema flare-ups, but they are successful and easy to implement.

December 28th, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Eczema: Common Trigger Factors to Avoid

Eczema Free Forever

Eczema flare-ups are caused by several factors. Until sufferers are able to determine and avoid their trigger factors, itching and painful rashes will always be an issue. Luckily, medical professionals have developed a list of common trigger factors. These factors, a few of which are outlined below, may be the cause of your uncontrollable scratching.

Eczema Trigger Factor #1 – Skin Irritants

The phrase “skin irritants,” cover a wide range of items. Basically, anything unnatural that comes in close contact to the skin has the potential to be a skin irritant. Common examples include laundry detergent, scented lotions, makeup, perfume, and wool clothes. If you feel the urge to itch not long after putting on your clothes or undergoing your daily routine, skin irritants may be your eczema cause. To determine if so, make the switch. If you itch while wearing wool, opt for cotton clothes instead. If your hands and face itch after applying makeup, go without for a few days to look for an improvement. If you suspect your laundry detergent is to blame, opt for a low or free chemical detergent instead.

If you make the necessary changes and no longer feel the need to itch, you have not only determined your eczema trigger factor, but learned how to successful avoid another outbreak.

Eczema Trigger Factor #2 – Food

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to determine if food is the cause of your eczema outbreaks. Most experts turn to food when no other cause is found. Although any food in your diet can lead to the uncontrollable urge to itch, there are some common food trigger factors. Milk, wheat, seafood, eggs, and peanuts are usually to blame. If you notice an itching outbreak following the consumption of these foods, begin eliminating them from your diet.

If you believe a certain food causes your eczema outbreaks, eliminate it from your diet. This can be difficult if it is a favorite of yours, but think of the long term benefits. No more uncontrollable itching that leads to open wounds, decreasing the risk of skin infections.

Eczema Trigger Factor #3 – Allergens

Whether indoor or outdoors, air-borne allergens are present. They are a common cause of eczema outbreaks. A patient who finds themselves scratching away at their skin may have just dusted or vacuumed their home. The itching is due to the skin contact made by the dust. Mold and dander from pets are other common causes too. If you suspect these cause your eczema flare-ups, eliminate them as an issue. If dust is the problem, don’t avoid dusting or vacuuming your home. Instead, wear long clothing and protective gear when doing so. Overcoming eczema means addressing the causes and working around them.

The above mentioned eczema trigger factors are some of the most common reasons for the uncontrollable urge to itch.

December 7th, 2009 | Leave a Comment

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