If you have eczema, you’re familiar with the pain of living with a skin condition that causes flare ups of inflamed, red, scaly, cracked, and even blistery skin. Eczema strikes almost 32% of Americans, mostly during the childhood years, but many patients don’t outgrow the condition. Eczema is considered a type of “atopic dermatitis”, which refers to any skin condition that causes chronic skin inflammation. For relief, many patients use a combination of doctor-prescribed medications, over-the-counter topical creams, and home remedies to help replenish moisture and protect the natural skin barrier:

1. Opt for loose, airy clothing
What you wear in addition to what you eat and use on your body can greatly affect eczema. For instance, tight fitting or abrasive clothing and fabrics (i.e., pantyhose, tights, spandex pants, and scratchy fabrics like wool) may chaffe or irritate eczema prone skin. The best remedy is to wear, loose, airy clothing that allows skin to breathe (i.e., cotton, linen, etc.).

2. Eczema diet
While every eczema patient reacts to certain foods differently, there are specific “trouble foods” that may exacerbate eczema symptoms, for instance, cinnamon, citrus fruits, dairy, tomatoes, wheat gluten, and soy are common eczema triggers among patients. Instead, health professionals recommend a diet that encompasses a balance of healthy fats (i.e., salmon, trout, and other omega 3 fatty acid-rich fish for joint and skin support), as well as an array of fruits and vegetables (i.e., spinach, apples, cherries, kale, etc.), which also happen to be natural anti-inflammatories. 

3. Avoid stress
Eczema, like many other conditions, is exacerbated by stress and anxiety, particularly if the stress is chronic or long-lasting. This is why avoiding stress and practicing proactive self care is imperative, both mentally and physically, to prevent the type of inner inflammatory response that triggers an eczema flareup. 

4. Hypoallergenic personal hygiene products
If you’re prone to eczema you’ve likely already switched to a line of hypoallergenic products. Yet everything from your shampoo to your soap can trigger inflammation and all forms of atopic dermatitis. Many eczema patients react badly to fragrances and harsh chemical additives in personal products, which is why a hypoallergenic, natural, or unscented line of products often works best. When bathing, it’s important to retain as much skin moisture as possible by using lukewarm (not hot) water and gently patting the skin dry when toweling off. Re-moisturizing the skin after a bath or shower is also important.