Prevent The Itch, Stop The Scratch

One of the most distressing skin conditions I see in my clinic is Eczema – a broad term for chronic itchy, dry, cracked skin.
Its challenging and distressing both psychologically due to its visibility and physically due to the itchy nature causing sleepless nights and fatigue.
This week I have been focusing on eczema to help people deal with this  condition.

WHAT IS ECZEMA?

Eczema is a medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed with blisters which cause itching and bleeding.

People with eczema tend to have an over-reactive immune system that when triggered by a substance outside or inside the body, responds by producing inflammation.

It is this inflammation that causes the red, itchy and painful skin symptoms.

Eczema is a breakdown in the skin barrier causing flare ups.

Hairdressers are particularly prone due to chemical irritants .

TRIGGERS:

Working to keep your symptoms under control is important to staying healthy and comfortable while living with eczema. When trying to identify potential triggers, keep in mind that an eczema flare can appear sometime after exposure. This lag time can make some triggers challenging to detect.

It’s important to remember that eczema effects everyone differently, and that one person’s triggers may not be the same as another’s. You might experience eczema symptoms at certain times of the year or on different areas of your body.

Popular triggers are: Stress, extreme temps of hot and cold, pollen, perfumes and detergents.

KEEP YOUR SKIN BARRIER INTACT.

“The SkinCeuticals hyaluronic intensifier serum makes skin plump and smooth like butter! As a girl with eczema, I know how much hyaluronic acid helps my skin and seeing ‘intensifier’ on the packaging sold me on it. This product keeps me hydrated all day, too. I can’t live without it! I use three to four drops of the product … and I pat it into the skin, focusing most of the product where my skin is driest.”

 

Dr Chloë.