How to Live With Eczema and Sensitive Skin

As a person with extremely sensitive skin and eczema I've developed some tried and true techniques to keep my skin, and life, as smooth as possible.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• lots of drinking water
• non-fruity moisturizing natural soap
• body lotion with vitamins
• Eucerin brand cream (the kind in the tub)
• Benadryl
• antibiotic ointment
• confindence
• observation skils

1. Be Happy
   
   No matter what condition your skin is in, be confident and find happiness. Stressing out about anything, including a bad skin day, will make you less happy and your skin worse. The first thing I do when I notice my skin is worse than normal is evaluate my stress level - it usually means that I am worrying about something.

2. Is anything different?
   
   As soon as you notice a bout of dry skin or eczema think if you have done, eaten, or been anywhere out of the ordinary. Things like taking antibiotics, eating certain foods, allergies, and dry cold weather can aggravate skin conditions. Get to know what bothers your skin and try and avoid it.

3. If you think your skin problem may be connected to a food you ate or some other allergy try taking Benadryl to see if it helps.
   
   Be sure to read and follow all medicine directions and don't use it if you're allergic or have any other issues. Note that Benadryl often makes people sleepy.

4. Buy a tub of Eucerin Cream
   
   NOTHING has worked better for me for my dry skin and eczema than Eucerin brand cream in a tub. It often works better than the steroid creams prescribed by dermatologists. Use it liberally and as often as you need during the day, as soon as you feel your skin starting to dry out. (They don't pay me to say this - it just really works.)

5. In you live a cold climate, stay covered!
   
   If you live with cold dry winters keep your skin covered when you are outside - the cold dry air will suck the moisture out of you and make even the healthiest skin dry and cracked.

6. If your skin cracks, cover the crack with pain-relieving antibiotic ointment, like Neosporin, and a band aid. Cracked skin is prone to infection. Keep the crack covered until it heals.

7. Drink lots of water and moisturize your whole body after every shower.
   
   Keep your skin well-hydrated from the inside and outside. Use lotion that contains vitamins. Avoid lotions and soaps with scents or other extras - especially fruity additions which often irritate eczema.

8. Sweat from a good workout
   
   They may just be psychological, but my skin always feels healthiest after a good workout. In any case, exercise is great for your whole body so it can't hurt! It also relieves stress and sweating washes out toxins. Be sure to shower right away, as sweat can irritate skin if not washed off, and moisturize afterwards.

9. See a doctor or dermatologist.
   
   Even though it sometimes seems all doctors and dermatologists do for eczema is prescribe, frequently ineffective, steroids in creams, lotions and shots, is important to stay in contact with your doctor. Tell your doctor what works and what doesn't. Choose a doctor who will work with you in discovering your personal skin care solution.

Tips & Warnings

• Be cautious taking and using medication. Know what is OK for you and check with your doctor if you are unsure.
• If you live in a cold climate, try taking a vacation to a warm humid place during winter to give your skin a break.
• Stay in contact with you doctor, your health care is a partnership between the two of you.

[teachermom]

on 3/2/2009 I agree! Eucerin cream works well.