Over 31 million people in the United States have some form of eczema. It is an unrelenting chronic inflammatory skin condition that is defined by persistent itching.
Our specialists at Dermatology Associates of Central New Jersey can help you create a comprehensive management plan that includes measures to keep eczema flare-ups under control. It involves:
Reactive eczema care includes various therapies, treatments, and skin care practices that alleviate symptoms and prevent infection during flare-ups.
Proactive eczema care helps you identify and avoid your triggers that cause symptom flare-ups.
In this blog we’ll discuss five tips for keeping your eczema triggers at bay while at home.
Eczema flare-ups are when you experience dry skin, persistent itchiness, rashes, scaly patches, weeping blisters, infection, and other symptoms. Flare-ups following remission are typically caused by some element that triggers them. They can include:
Symptoms can suddenly appear after enjoying a long period of symptom-free living. Your clearer skin may now appear inflamed, red, and flaky and result in ashen patches of darker skin.
The key to avoiding your eczema triggers is identifying them. Keep a journal and record the various factors that seem to surround your eczema flare-ups. Compare them, and you may realize some things around your home keep showing up in your journal entries. Here are some common at-home triggers and how to avoid them.
Overly dry skin is a strong eczema trigger, so keeping your skin moist is critical. Wintertime air is usually dryer, especially in New Jersey. Keep up with routine skin care techniques and moisturizing, and add a humidifier to your home. Your bedroom and main living areas are key. Also, keep the heat below 70.
Most people with eczema suffer from allergies, and your allergens often double as eczema triggers. Contact allergens like preservatives, dyes, and fragrances in laundry products or personal care items are key troublemakers. Animal dander, pollen, dust, and mold are also common triggers. Use only dye-free, fragrance-free personal care and cleaning products that seem to work best. Clean your home often, dusting, cleansing hard floors, and using a high-filtration vacuum.
Irritants are triggers that cause an inflammatory skin reaction on contact. Dry air, sweat, sunlight, chlorine in pools, cleaners, detergents, itchy clothing, and soaps often trigger eczema flare-ups. Take advantage of shade as often as possible and avoid chlorine. Identify your common irritants and eliminate them from your home.
Your safe sleeping space can be ripe with eczema triggers like rough bedding fabrics, dust mites, detergent residues, and more. This is a critical area because you spend hours in it every day. Choose soft cotton bedding, use anti-allergen covers on mattresses and pillows, and wash your bedding weekly with your best dye-free, fragrance-free laundry products.
Stress is a significant eczema trigger for many people. Identify your major life stressors at home and those you bring home from work or elsewhere. Look for ways to reduce or manage those stressors, like exercise, therapy, meditation, or relaxing hobbies.
Keeping your eczema flares at bay is possible, and our talented specialists at Dermatology Associates of Central New Jersey can help. Call 732-679-6300 or book online to schedule an appointment at our offices in Old Bridge, Union, Toms River, or Freehold, New Jersey, today.
