Let’s talk about dry skin and eczema. As we enter the fall season many become more susceptible to dry skin and eczema flares.
We do not know exactly why certain people develop eczema but we do know that many things contribute to the development of symptoms. There can be underlying genetic factors where one’s skin can have less protective proteins for their skin barrier and more likely in turn to have an inflammatory response. But also things like stress, seasonal changes, environmental exposures and hormones can be linked to eczema flares.
While eczema cannot be cured there are many things you can do to help manage this condition.
How to take care of your skin:
- Regular baths or showers with lukewarm water, use gentle cleansers (like dove sensitive skin bar)
only in the genitals and armpits, avoid physical exfoliants like loofahs.
- Moisturize! After you get out of the bath/shower pat the skin dry and apply fragrance free moisturizer to the entire body while still slightly wet. Use products with ceramides and lipids, these help to restore the skin barrier. A few of our favorite brands include Aquaphor, CeraVe, and LaRoche Posay.
- All skin care products should be fragrance free and hypoallergenic, wear loose fitting cotton clothing
at night. Keep an eczema flare diary to help connect possible triggers.
Want to learn more about Eczema and at home treatments? Read Dr. Tareen’s WikiHow article on her top tips on ways to relieve discomfort from Eczema!
If your eczema symptoms are not well controlled with the above recommendations there are many treatment options we offer at Tareen Dermatology. We often will prescribe topical steroids to manage symptoms or recommend additional skin care hacks. A few of our favorites include wet wraps which help medications penetrate thick itchy skin or diluted bleach baths which help treat and prevent secondary infections. We also are one of the few offices in the Twin Cities that offer light therapy, a natural anti-inflammatory treatment to help push eczema symptoms into remission.
If you or someone you know suffers from Eczema, we offer appointments with one of our expert skin providers within 2 weeks.
