Eczema can be a painful chronic skin condition if left untreated. Our team at First Aid Pro will explain three ways to reduce its effects.
According to the National Eczema Association, eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that can lead to itchy, dry or scaly skin, blisters, rashes and infections.
There are seven forms of eczema: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and stasis dermatitis.
Chemicals, stress, viral infections, warm weather, sand and some fabrics can trigger the condition.
Only doctors can diagnose individuals with eczema and often use an allergy test to determine the severity and triggers of the condition.
Along with its many variations, eczema affects 1 in 10 people worldwide.
Eczema’s cause is unknown, but thankfully, medical professionals have found various ways to treat it.
1. Use Relief Creams and Ointments
Clinically approved relief creams can help people suffering from eczema reduce flare-ups and alleviate sore skin.
Even though our skin is designed to create a protective barrier from inbound organisms, people with eczema cannot fight off these bacteria because they have impaired skin.
Prescribed non-steroidal eczema lotions, including pimecrolimus creams like Elidel and tacrolimus ointments like ProTopic, can help repair the affected skin and deter harmful organisms.
There are also topical steroid-based creams like Prednisolone that are also effective.
Depending on the severity and the location of the affected skin, people will be prescribed creams with different properties and strength levels.
Individuals that are prescribed these creams should use them consistently. Irregular use of the cream can lead to skin receiving further damage and even scarring.
People using topical creams should use them in unison with clinically approved moisturisers to help their skin retain water.
Visiting a dermatologist will help people suffering from eczema find a suitable cream that treats their specific variation of the condition.
Over-the-counter eczema creams such as Epaderm Cream or DermaVeen Sensitive Relief Cream can also provide adequate relief.
2. Applying Wet Dressings
Another verified method of treating eczema is placing wet dressings on the affected skin.
To begin this process, put a tubular bandage in a bowl of warm water and a dermatologically approved bath oil like QV Bath Oil or Dermaveen Shower and Bath Oil.
After that, apply an anti-inflammatory or cortisone cream on the wound, rinse excess water from the bandage and lay it over the affected spot.
Remove the dressing and moisturise the skin beneath the bandage if the dressing becomes dry.
Moisturising will prevent the skin from further damage and keep the area hydrated for longer.
Using cold compression after taking off the dressing is also important. Soak a disposable towel in cool water and bath oil to start the technique.
Once the towel is drained of excess water, hold it over the wounded area for five to ten minutes.
To complete the routine, moisturise the affected region once more.
When this technique is applied to sore skin, it can soothe the area and lessen itchiness.
3. Bleach Bathing
If used correctly, bleach baths can help individuals remove bacteria from their skin and relieve eczema.
While people may wonder if bleach is safe to bathe in, this technique has a lower bleach dilution than public swimming pools and is not harmful to human skin.
Before taking a bleach bath, individuals must meet with medical professionals to discuss how often they should perform this treatment.
A 10-litre bucket is needed for this process so people bathing in the bleach mixture can clean themselves safely.
For every 10 litres of water placed into a bathtub, individuals should add 12 millilitres of bleach.
Adding a 1/3 cup of salt and one to two cap fulls of suitable bath oil per 10 litres of water is also recommended to relieve your skin further.
Once the bath has been filled with the mixture, the individual should bathe for approximately 10 minutes, using a soft sponge to dab the water over their affected areas.
Although washing your face and head with bleached water is safe, you must always keep it away from your eyes.
Showers or other forms of rinsing off after the bath are not necessary. Individuals can safely dry their bodies without needing additional cleaning.
After the individual has finished drying off, they should apply prescribed topical relief creams and use moisturisers to keep their skin hydrated.
People with eczema sores or crusty skin can gently remove them using a soft towel. If the sore does not fall naturally, do not use force to peel it off.
Register for our 100% online first-aid training courses for further information on treating dermatological conditions.
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash