Posts Tagged ‘Fingernails’

How To Care For Eczema Tips And Tricks

July 29th, 2010

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Eczema is a condition that affects almost one fifth of all children and one in 12 adults. This problem of unbearably hot, itchy and inflamed dry skin is a condition that is called eczema. The precise cause is still not known yet.

Some people may have discovered of what triggers their eczema skin condition. Using what they discovered, doctors have recognized certain practices as eczema treatment that can help alleviate the condition and avoid flare ups.

Recently, some studies were researched regarding the use of regular lotions. It was found to actually cause the skin to produce less natural oils. But a shielding lotion as a eczema treatment bonds with the outer layer of the skin and protects it from irritants while locking in natural oils and moisture.

Some doctors and dermatologist have discovered that some eczema patients using a shielding lotion, the healing time between eruptions is much shorter. They have also seen the severe dry cracked skin associated with eczema is softened dramatically using a shielding lotion, reducing the discomfort and bleeding that some patients suffer.”

The first eczema care and treatment recommended by dermatologists is to use a cream to lock in moisture and use a shielding lotion that has a longer lasting effect. Try to limit the contact with irritants such as soaps, perfumes, cosmetics, detergents and strong liquids like gasoline, turpentine, and alcohol-based solutions.

It was also found that sweating and overheating tends to aggravate eczema. Use a cold compress if the itching starts. Avoid scratching the skin and always keep your fingernails short. Find a laundry soap that does not irritate the skin, double rinse the detergent out and remember to always launder newly purchased clothing before wearing.

Many eczema victims find it best to wear only loose fitting cotton and soft clothing. Avoiding wearing rough fabrics that can further irritate your skin. Individuals and families affected by eczema have found much relief using these eczema care and treatment suggestions. With the introduction of shielding lotion in the past few years, relief can be more rapid and effective.

Be careful when working or having fun outdoors. Be sure to have your sun tan lotion or moisturizers at hand. Apply them before going out and expose yourself to the elements. Drink plenty of plain water to keep yourself cool. No, your regular cup of coffee and tea does not count. Try to stop smoking if you are currently. In these ways, you could help alleviate your condition.

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Childhood Eczema -its Causes and Symptoms

June 24th, 2010

Meadow buttercup / Botn de oro

Atropic dermatitis is considered to be one of the most common forms of childhood eczema. This form of eczema affects approximately 15-20% young children. Hayfever and asthma are also linked with atropic dermatitis and might be genetic as well.

Symptoms of eczema

The most common symptom of eczema is a dry, itchy patch on the skin, red in color. These patches can lead to infection if they are scratched constantly. In cases when the problem of eczema persists, the skin may thicken. In young babies the signs of eczema first appear on cheeks. As the child gets older the signs spread on the inner creases of the knees, around the neck and the elbow. There are phases in eczema when it flares up and dies down. Puberty is the time when most children grow out of this problem, but this can be a very uncomfortable and distressing ailment and it requires constant advice from a physician to be cured.

Causes of eczema

There are various factors that can cause eczema. According to many experts, this problem is hereditary and several things can trigger it, such as dry atmosphere, overheating, dust, smoking and intolerance of specific food items like wheat or dairy products. Stress can also be responsible in triggering eczema.

Other forms of eczema

There are other forms of eczema including irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. The main cause of allergic contact dermatitis is a reaction to a substance that comes in contact with the skin. There are a number of adults who get affected with this form of eczema when they wear cheap jewelry items. Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by a reaction with chemicals such as soap detergents. If a child develops a dry itching patch it is advisable to change the brand being used to see if there is some improvement.

Eczema can be very irritating and at times the itching is not bearable at all. It becomes very difficult to prevent kids from scratching and so it is better to keep their fingernails short and during night make sure that they are kept cool. Try and persuade the kid to keep mittens on it so that he or she does not scratch. The clothes that children wear should be made out of smooth and soft material like cotton because this can help to prevent irritation to the skin.

This article is for information only and the author accepts no liability for any action taken. You should contact your physician for advice on any health problem.

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Avoiding Eczema-related Infections

December 2nd, 2009

Patchouli Body Cream

Eczema is a skin condition with no known cure. Although it can be unpleasant, unsightly and very uncomfortable, eczema is neither infectious nor contagious. However, sometimes a case of eczema can become so severe that secondary infections can result. Dryness is the greatest enemy of eczema-prone skin. It can cause all symptoms to worsen. When the skin’s epidermal layer loses a large quantity of moisture, it creates an environment in which the skin is succeptible to invasion from a number of infections, some viral while others are bacterial.

Some examples of secondary infections that can develop along with eczema include warts, herpes simplex,viral molluscum, as well as staphylococcal and streptococcal bacterial skin infections. Other secondary skin problems that can arise as a result of the worsening of eczema include, but are not limited to, papules, small raised rough bumps on the skin, crusting as well as scaling of the skin, cheilitis, inflammation around the lip area, and eyelids that darken greatly.

One of the simplest ways to prevent eczema-related infection is to keep your skin well moisturized. Use a gentle moisturizer for eczema-prone skin such as Aquaphor, Alpha Keri, Eucerin, Curel, Lubriderm, Moisturel or Vaseline a minimum of twice daily. Do not allow your skin to become parched. Moisturize it instead so it never gets to the point of feeling arid. Hydrate yourself from the inside as well. It is vital to drink six to eight glasses of purified water daily. This will help flush your organs and safeguard against infections.

Broken or cracked skin is an entryway for bacteria into the skin. Avoid this by resisting the urge to scratch. Use cortisone cream or extra moisturizer in case of itches. For added protection, keep your fingernails short so you wont be able to cause as much damage to your skin if you do scratch. If you have a problem with scratching in your sleep, consider investing in a pair of thin gloves and wearing them as you sleep. If your skin does have cracks or breaks in it despite your best efforts to prevent them, liberally apply antibiotic cream to them and, if necessary, bandage the wounded area until it begins to heal.

Other ways to help avoid eczema-related infections include using an air-purification system in your home or workplace to filter out air particles that could lead to flare-ups in your skin condition. Additionally, use a humidifier in your home to keep moisture in the air and thus not contribute to excessively drying out your skin. Increase your dietary consumption of fatty fish such as sardines and salmon. Also increase your intake of raw seeds such as flax seeds or pumpkin seeds. Flax seed is also available in oil or powder form. These foods all contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which are an excellent for reducing swelling in the skin. As much as possible,avoid consuming trans-fatty acids in the form of hydrogenated oils as these tend to promote disease as well as decreasing the immune system effectiveness.

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Tips for managing eczema

October 3rd, 2008

Inside NineWest

It first appeared on my face when I was nine months old. I was really too young to notice the itchy pink blotches of parched skin. However, by the time I had reached kindergarten, the rash had cleared up on my face and appeared on my hands, feet, elbows, and knees. One night I awoke to find I had been furiously scratching while I was asleep. There in the dark I could feel my numb hands throbbing and beginning to swell. Unable to stop the itching, I ran down the hall to my mother in her living room rocking chair. Crouching at her feet, I showed her my raw little hands. In the light I could see where the already scarred skin had been raked up again by my fingernails, which were now packed with shreds of dead skin. Mom squeezed my hands tightly and said how badly she wished she could have the rash instead of me.

My skin has never fully heeled, but after 25 years of living with this condition I have learned some important tips for keeping my eczema under control.

Antihistamines and steroids are the most efficient means of getting immediate control over an outbreak. At one point, my eczema had flared up so badly that my dermatologist actually gave me a steroid injection to get it back under control. However, most of the time a simple steroid cream does the trick to reduce the inflammation. If OTC creams such as hydrocortisone are not controlling the condition, your dermatologist can prescribe something stronger. In addition to topical creams, taking an oral antihistamine is a life saver when my skin is acting up. I usually take Benadryl, as it reduces the irritation in my skin and stops the agitation and anxiety that comes with a flare up.

Along with the pills and creams, basic care of the skin is also important. Brief, luke-warm showers are the order of the day with only sparse use of a mild cleanser. Avoid the tempting oatmeal baths as prolonged exposure to water drains your skin of its natural oils. To get the best use out of the soothing properties of oatmeal, fill a thin cotton sock with the oatmeal and soak it in warm water. After your shower, apply the oatmeal sock as a compress on any affected areas.

While soothing the skin on the outside is important, it is paramount that you nourish your skin from the inside at a cellular level. A daily multi-vitamin is a good idea for anyone, but for eczema sufferers there are a few extra supplements you should consider. First, is a pharmacy grade supplement of fish oil, or flaxseed oil.

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5 Tips For Eczema Treatment

August 16th, 2008

902 White cotton gloves for eczema

Many people suffer from eczema and have been since they were children. In fact, eczema is the most common skin issue in children. When eczema flares up, it is very uncomfortable, causing itching and red skin. Even though it can be a painful issue, eczema treatment is fairly easy to do. Following are some tips for dealing with eczema without prescription medicine.

1- When there is a flareup of eczema, one of the most effective means of treatment is the use of antihistamines. This medication will help to ease the itchiness that often accompanies the eczema. The biggest disadvantage of using antihistamines is that it often makes the user drowsie. The advantage, is that they are readily available over the counter.

2- Another eczema treatment is to take a lukewarm bath. The bath does not need to be long, about five minutes is sufficient. After getting out of the tub, do not rub the skin dry, rather pat it. Patting leaves some of the water on the skin, leaving it ready to absorb moisutre from a lotion.

3- If the lukewarm bath is not an option, try a cold compress. Applying a cold compress to the affected skin will help to alleviate the itchiness and redness that are often symptoms of eczema. This eczema treatment is especially effective for children after they have fallen asleep.

4- There are some tips to follow that may help stop eczema flare-ups from becoming a problem. One of the most effective is to wear clothing made of cotton. The reason for this is that cotton breathes, therefore, it doesn’t cause sweating. Sweating will cause an eczema flare up. Do not wear clothes made of wool, as the texture will irritate the skin and will lead to the need for eczema treatment.

5- Some other tips to avoid the need for eczema treatment are also pretty simple. For example, keeping fingernails cut short, especially for children, will help to minimize some of the damage of scratching the itchy skin caused by eczema. If you or your child are allergic to dust mites or pets, exposure to them could cause the eczema to flare up. Keeping pets out of the bedroom can help keep the skin issue under control.

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Eczema Treatments What Works?

March 5th, 2008

Wraparound anti-pollen eye protection

Eczema is the most common skin irritation among young children in America today. While this is not a life threatening issue, it can be painful and even lead to infection if left untreated. There are prescription medicines available, however, not all of them are safe for children and some of the medicines that are safe, are not paid for by insurance. Thankfully, there are some eczema treatment options available that do not require a prescription.

Some other tips to avoid the need for eczema treatment are also pretty simple. For example, keeping fingernails cut short, especially for children, will help to minimize some of the damage of scratching the itchy skin caused by eczema. If you or your child are allergic to dust mites or pets, exposure to them could cause the eczema to flare up. Keeping pets out of the bedroom can help keep the skin issue under control.

When there is a flareup of eczema, one of the most effective means of treatment is the use of antihistamines. This medication will help to ease the itchiness that often accompanies the eczema. The biggest disadvantage of using antihistamines is that it often makes the user drowsie. The advantage, is that they are readily available over the counter.

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