For as long as I can remember, I have had some form of eczema. When I was a child it was all down my legs, and got so bad that I used to be given steroid injections for them. Then as life progressed to teen and early adult years, it abated but was still omnipresent. Always inching up around my elbows and knees….always the creases especially when I became hot and sweaty. Needless to say, I spent many years of my life trying to figure out how to keep eczema from flaring up.
Now as I write this, I think I can say that after 41 years of living with eczema, I think I have more or less cracked it. While I am certainly no medical professional or dermatologist I wanted to share with you what I do to keep eczema from flaring up on my skin in case it might help you too.
Know your triggers
Everyone has different triggers for their eczema, and it’s important to know and be fully attuned to your own. For some, it may be diet, others it could be stress. For me, it is certain fragrances in products, dust, heat (sweat) and dry skin from coldness.
Needless to say, I live my life trying to keep my exposure to all of the above to a bare minimum. If I get too hot and sweaty, I take a shower or flannel down those areas immediately. If it’s too cold I always wrap up and especially wear gloves which is where my eczema usually manifests.
I stay away from household and cosmetic items with the fragrances I know I am allergic to. How do I know what they are you might be asking? I was referred to my local dermatology department and would highly recommend you request a referral for a skin patch test if you can.
Dust wise, I keep the house as clean as is possible in this busy mum life, and sleep with an air purifier every night in my room. I have been known to take it away from me! If I am staying at someone’s house, I have also been known to ask to borrow their hoover to clean it on arrival. They may think I am Lady of The Manor asking this but I know what can happen if my skin gets exposed to too much dust.
Act fast
For me, it usually starts with that tell-tell sign of an unbearable itch or red patch of skin somewhere on my hands or neck. I immediately take an antihistamine to stop that itch cycle in its tracks. If the skin is looking dry and angry, I immediately apply a soothing barrier cream. Usually, this is enough to break the cycle before so I don’t need to turn to medicated creams.
Know which products work for you
Everyone is different, and what works for one person doesn’t work for another. For me using natural, unfragranced products is the key. That is across shower gels, shampoos and conditioners, washing up liquids and cleaning sprays.
I have recently discovered a wonderful range of products called Juste Nature – safe and natural skincare that doesn’t cost the earth.
Their ingredients have been inspired by the beautiful island of Mauritius, where Stina, the brand owner and formulator originates from. After struggling with her son’s eczema for over 8 years, she embarked on a search for a natural alternative to her family’s daily skincare.
It soon became clear that the medicated creams only provided a temporary solution for her son’s skin condition and that they also had the unwanted side effect which many eczema-sufferers can relate to: the thinning of the skin.
She created my first formulation, the ‘All- In- One Unscented Moisturising Balm‘ for sensitive skin using exclusively natural and organic oils and butters, as well as beeswax. The natural skincare range not only helped her family’s skin but also completely changed their entire skincare routine!
I have been using Juste Nature’s products on a daily basis. Their Balancing Night and Day Facial Oil is absolutely divine and is a real find. It smells absolutely incredible but has not once ever left my skin feeling itchy. Likewise, their All-In-One Moisturising Balm is a real hero. You can use it anywhere and has become my first port of call for my skin to stop eczema flaring up.
Other brands which I frequently use include Faith In Nature for personal hygeine and Ecover ZERO for everything around the house.
Another wonderful range I have been trying out which I find wonderful for sensitive skin – and especially soothing skin issues is Wild Science Lab. Harnessing the natural potency of high performance naturals and revitalising essential oil blends selected for their therapeutic benefit as well as their scent; Wild Science Lab has created a collection called ROOT + FRUIT to balance, neutralise shield and hydrate.
Their Repair Switch Serum is perfect for those experiencing irritation, dehydration, dullness, fine lines, redness within the complexion from the impact of stress and inflammation which are often hallmarks of skin suffering with eczema.
Their restorative Control Switch Serum is balanced to help control redness, soothe irritable skin, suffering from compromised barrier function, congestion and repair skin resilience and aims to reinforce skin immunity, control inflammation and help stimulate cellular renewal with a complex of calmative 300MG pure Hemp-derived CBD and collagen boosting Moth Bean extract, scented with a soothing blend of 8 essential oils. Their Night Watch Resilience Moisturiser is also the perfect accompaniment to rejuvenate skin texture, and replenish and strengthen skin that has become fragile thanks to inflammation.
Explore supplements
This has been a big part of my eczema journey, especially in recent years. Some things that have personally helped me to keep on top of my eczema have been taking the following daily: high strength fish oil (Efamol range), a high dose of vitamin D (BetterYou 3000mg), magnesium (Garden of Life magnesium drink) and probiotics (BioKult or OptiBac which are in my opinion some the best quality) all of which are known to be helpful for skin with eczema.
Of course, there are many things that can cause an eczema flare-up. You may not have the same triggers as I do, so it’s worth taking out the time to really understand what causes your eczema to flare up, then make a plan to prevent flares and nip them in the bud before they get out of control.
Hand photo created by 8photo – www.freepik.com, Flower photo created by master1305 – www.freepik.com
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A great post for anyone who suffers with eczema, I have friends who suffer and know how miserable it makes them. Finding treatments that work is great
My nephew has eczema but his is triggered by foods, especially artificial dyes so we have to be careful of what he eats. My sister has found a shampoo and lotion that works well for him, but definitely has to act fast, as you said, if something starts to flare up for him.
This is such a great resource for anyone with eczema. I have a friend who has it, and it gives her fits.
We have been lucky to skip painful eczema flair ups but my kids do get little rashes on their arms every now and then, nothing takes it away.
I don’t have eczema, but this is super helpful for those that do. there’s a lot of good options here!
When I was younger I used to suffer from bad eczema especially during the winter. The thing is certains things don’t always work for everybody. Great post and tips!
Stress and diet can greatly exacerbate symptoms. It’s good to hear about tried and tested products that can help especially those that are natural.
I didn’t know eczema had triggers. This is interesting.
My daughter is starting to have eczema problems so your post is very helpful identifying how to solve it. Good tip on using natural, unfragranced products.