Dealing with any skin issue is tough in every season of the year but winters are especially known for being extremely harsh o the skin. Be it rosacea, acne, psoriasis or eczema, it will get progressively worse considering the fact that every elements starts to work against it.
Eczema is one of those skin issues that get extremely difficult to deal with. Especially as winters approach. The discomfort, itchiness and redness increase many folds. Making it difficult to feel comfortable let alone being confident in your skin.
But, even if it seems like the problems that come with eczema cannot be tamed, we will give you some tips that will surely make it easier to deal with it in winters. Before that, let’s have a better look at what eczema feels and looks like.
How to identify Eczema?
Eczema, otherwise known as atopic dermatitis, is commonly seen to make skin itchy and red. It is most commonly seen in children but some adults have also been seen to suffer greatly from it.
Most commonly seen skin issues in eczema are:
- Swollen skin from excessive scratching (happens mainly when itching gets out of hand!)
- Intense itching sensations
- Extremely dry patches on skin
- Scaling of skin
Eczema is one of those chronic skin issues that have seasonal flare-ups especially in winters. Till ate, there is no permanent cure to eczema, however treatment for symptoms is present that can work better with the addition of self-care and better hygiene. Both of these can help ease itching and prevent excessive skin breakouts.
The role of natural ingredients.
While good-quality skincare products, which have been specially formulated for eczema-affected skin, do have significant good results, adding health natural ingredients can also make it easier to manage eczema episodes.
It is important to mention here that if your symptoms do get out of control and start interfering with your daily life activities, it is advised to immediately seek advice from your dermatologist.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel holds a very strong cooling effect which is why it is mostly used in the treatment of burns. In the case of eczema as well, it is used to soothe burning skin and reduce itchiness. Other than that the anti-inflammatory properties of the gel also help in killing infection-causing bacteria.
The gel also holds high content of antioxidants which help in speeding up the healing process of the damaged skin.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal has natural emollient properties meaning it can naturally soothe skin. That is why it is one of the most used natural ingredient for treating eczema symptoms. They possess anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent skin breakouts and reduces itching of skin.
The gentle exfoliation ability of it helps remove dead and damaged skin, which enhances natural production of heathy cells. Healthy cells have a stronger barrier and heal the skin quickly. They can be applied directly to the skin and work as a great skin scrub.
Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel is an extract taken form the leaves of the witch Hazel shrub and it works as an amazing soothing agent for eczema skin. It topical application helps calm inflammation down and prevents skin breakouts.
Zinc
Zinc is amongst the essential elements of our body found in trace amounts. It helps improve the body’s immune health and increase metabolism. In case of eczema, zinc works as an anti-inflammatory and reduces skin itching and redness with frequent skin outbreaks. Zinc also helps improve skin resurfacing and healing.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter holds one of the highest percentage of fatty acids which make it ideal in treating eczema. The fatty acids create a skin barrier that helps keep skin’s moisture content intact and keeps skin hydrated. The fatty acid content also helps relief rashes and skin redness.
The moisturizing properties of the butter also help to nourish skin and prevents it from scaling and itching. It gives skin a soothing sensation.
Apple Cider
The sudden shift from nourishing and moisturizing natural ingredients to acidic ones may seem a little weird but here’s why Apple cider vinegar can help with your eczema. Apple cider vinegar is mildly acidic in nature, which combines with the higher pH of the skin, due to eczema, and balances it out.
A balanced pH of the skin reduces inflammation and itching of skin. It gives the skin a naturally suitable environment to rebuild and heal itself. However, it is extremely important to mention here that since it is an acid, it may irritate certain people’s skin so it is important to do a patch test before use.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is a key ingredient in moisturizer as it holds extensive emollient properties. The moisturizing nature of the butter helps create a protective barrier for the skin which stops excessive moisture lose from the skin. With moisture content secured inside the skin layers, skin does not get dehydrated. Hydrated skin tends to show lesser signs of inflammation, redness, swelling and skin itchiness.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil holds anti-microbial and moisturizing properties that can it a great choice for eczema. The moisturizing properties of the oil helps reduce itchiness of the skin and soothes it down while the anit-microbial properties help in killing all infection causing bacteria.
Coconut oil application is useful any time but it is best recommended to apply it right after a shower when the skin is still damp. It increases the penetration of the oil and gives better results.
Calendula flower extract
The flower extract is a power-pack of all the properties that are essential in treating eczema symptoms. While being extremely gentle to the skin, it holds strong anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, immune-stimulant and astringent properties. All of which help in relieving, repairing and healing the skin condition.
With all its properties, Calendula flower extract is proven to be a very essential ingredient in treating eczema. Due to its non-irritating and gentle nature, it is suitable to all and mostly to sensitive skin type.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is often recommended in extreme cases of eczema when the skin is all dried up and extremely cracked. The soda holds strong anti-bacterial properties that kill all inflammation causing bacteria and help heal skin.
The best way to apply the baking soda is to put it in a bath of lukewarm water and soak in it for about 15 minutes. It is highly recommended to do a skin-patch test beforehand to make sure that you are not allergic to it.
What to avoid in Eczema
While we tell you about all the natural ingredients that can help you treat the symptoms of eczema, it is important that we educate you on common ingredients, which might be present in your daily products that might cause the eczema to get worse.
In the case of eczema, using ingredients that relive symptoms or prevent future breakouts is just half of the management process. The other half is to avoid all such ingredients at all costs that can cause skin to irritate or can work as an element to worsen eczema.
These include,
- Artificial fragrances
- Ethanol
- Essential oils
- Retinoid
- Propylene glycol
The main reason to mention these ingredients is that these are some of the most used ingredients in skin-care products. So, it is important to avoid them at all costs to treat eczema.
Ethanol gives a cooling-sensation to the skin when used which is why it is most commonly used in shaving gels, body washes and deodorants but with people already dealing with eczema, it can cause skin irritation and rashes. Ethanol also leaves a burning sensation and can sting a lot. It also excessively dries out the skin, making it more prone to damage.
Another most commonly used ingredient in skin-care products is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. It is used to make lather in soaps and shower gels but is extremely dangerous to normal, healthy skin leave alone eczema-prone skin. It irritates the skin, resulting in increased chances of inflammation.
Have the tips we told you above been of any help? Comment below and let us know!
Leave a Reply