It is very important when suffering from eczema to establish a skin care routine to keep the skin as moist and healthy as possible:
— Bathing – a daily bath helps to moisturize the skin, using aqueous cream rather than ordinary soap. The water temperature should be cool or warm for a 15 to 20 minute soak so that the skin’s outer layer can absorb moisture. Avoid any excessive scrubbing. Dry the skin by gently patting with a towel.
— Moisturisers or Emolients – these creams are important for adding moisture every day to clean, damp skin. The best moisturiser is a basic greasy one without extra ingredients or fragrances such as Vaseline. Use after showering and bathing and if you are working or living in an air conditioned or heated workplace or home. Use twice a day, and more often on the hands.
— Avoid scratching the skin – keeping busy with activities that involve the use of your hands may help prevent scratching. In the case of children, their nails should be kept cut short and covered in cotton mittens at night. Scratching can actually trigger eczematous rashes. Some eczematous rashes completely disappear without any treatment if you just stop scratching.
There are several treatment options for eczema such as:
— Oral antihistamines – histamine is responsible for some symptoms of eczema but particularly the itching. Taking antihistamine ensures a good night’s rest.
— Healing Natural Products – made from the pure essential oils extracted from plants and applied topically to relieve eczema symptoms and to begin the healing process of repairing the skin.
— Corticosteroids – a topical steroid but only available on prescription from your doctor. It is best to use the lowest effective strength as using high strength topical steroids for periods of time can cause side effects such as thinning of the skin.
— Coal Tar – this should be used under the supervision of a doctor as it can irritate some people’s skin. Coal tar has a strong smell and can stain clothing.
— Cyclopsorin oral medication – this medication is sometimes used in helping to manage the symptoms of severe eczema. It reduces the immune system activity which in turn reduces inflammation. However there can be very serious side effects and its use has to be monitored very strictly.
— Evening Primrose Oil – this is either applied topically or taken in capsule form. This oil contains gamma linolenic acid which is thought to be lacking in some of those who have eczema.
— Phototherapy – this is another treatment for those with chronic eczema where the patient is exposed to up to 30 sessions of ultraviolet radiation. Expert supervision is required because the risks are the same as for sunbathing namely accelerated ageing of the skin and the increased risk of skin cancer.
Therefore if you take good care of your skin and choose a course of treatment that will work, you will go a long way to keeping your eczema under control.
Amoils offers all natural treatments for common conditions and ailments using essential oils. Visit our Eczema page for more information.