Living with eczema

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a condition that affects your skin. This condition makes your skin dry, reddish, and itchy. Eczema is more common in babies and children and affects the arms, elbows and knees most. There is no cure for eczema, however, there are some lifestyle modifications and treatments that can make it easier to live with the condition.

The skin has a protective barrier that prevents dryness and infections. In eczema this barrier is broken and leads to the following symptoms:

• Dry, itchy and reddish skin. Itching may happen more at night.
• Scaly patches. The patches look reddish or brownish.
• Swelling of your skin due to scratching the affected skin.

The following are tips that make living with eczema better:

• Have a good skincare routine: take showers often but make them short (10-15 minutes). Use gentle soaps, dry your skin after bathing and apply moisturizer on your skin. Ask your healthcare provider what is best for your skin.
• Avoid exposure to known irritants: identify irritants to your skin and try to avoid them. Irritants may include fabrics, harsh soaps, stress, dust and sweat. Children may also react to certain foods such as eggs and wheat.
• Don’t scratch: scratching your skin can lead to injuries or swellings. Instead of scratching, you can apply pressure to the itchy area.
• Use medications: over-the-counter antihistamines like loratadine can reduce itching. You can also ask your healthcare provider for creams that help reduce symptoms. 
• Drinking enough water: water is very good for your skin. Make sure you drink at least 3 litres or 6 sachets of pure water daily.
• Wear long items of clothing: to avoid exposing your skin to the sun, you can wear long sleeves, long trousers and hats when going out.
• Wear appropriate items of clothing: do not wear clothes that are rough or tight to avoid skin irritation. Cotton materials are usually skin-friendly and keep your skin dry.

Eczema can be prevented with lifestyle changes that reduce stress and improve sleep. Avoid triggers, take care of your skin, and get over-the-counter steroids and antihistamines to help reduce the symptoms of eczema. Use lotions and creams on your body or that of your baby. If eczema becomes a concern, see a skin specialist for further review and care.