Dr Noreen Akram
Conquering Eczema Symptoms: A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Your Eczema.
Understand the different types of eczema symptoms and how to manage them effectively.
What We'll Cover - Eczema Symptoms.
Key Takeaways
Frequent moisturising is crucial for eczema-prone skin to reduce dryness and flakiness.
Niacinamide can be an effective alternative to steroids in reducing redness and inflammation.
Breaking the itch-scratch cycle is vital to prevent further skin damage.
The Proton Health app can guide you on managing eczema symptoms effectively.
Less common symptoms like oozing, bleeding, and skin thickening require different treatments and potentially medical attention.
Introducing Eczema Symptoms
Eczema symptoms can be frustrating and challenging to manage. But with the right knowledge and care, it's possible to keep them under control. In this blog post, we'll provide expert advice on managing the most common eczema symptoms, including dryness, itching, and redness. By following these tips, you'll be on your way to healthier, more comfortable skin.
Managing the Top 3 Eczema Symptoms
Dryness: Eczema-prone skin loses water quickly and lacks natural surface oils, resulting in dry, flaky skin. To combat dryness, it's crucial to moisturize frequently to reduce water loss and replenish the skin's nutrients.
Redness/Colour Change: Inflamed skin can appear red, purple, or darker than the surrounding area, depending on your skin tone. Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3, is a fantastic steroid alternative that helps reduce redness and inflammation.
Itchiness: Dryness and color change often lead to itching, which is the body's way of signaling pain. Breaking the itch-scratch cycle is crucial to managing itchiness and preventing further damage to the skin.
Identifying and Treating Less Common Eczema Symptoms
While dryness, redness, and itchiness are the most common eczema symptoms, there are other signs to watch out for, especially in more severe cases:
Swelling - is a common symptom of eczema caused by inflammation, often indicating a severe flare-up. To reduce swelling and inflammation, cool compresses or wet wraps can be applied. Examples of products that can help with this symptom include Aveeno Eczema Therapy Itch Relief Balm and La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream.
Oozing - Infected skin may leak a white fluid called weeping, which can dry up and form golden crusts, another sign of infection. To address this, astringents such as witch hazel or soaking in a cool bath with colloidal oatmeal can be used to help dry up oozing. Examples of products that can help with this symptom include Thayers Witch Hazel Toner and Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment with Colloidal Oatmeal.
Bleeding - Excessive scratching or skin cracks can lead to bleeding and skin damage. To prevent further damage, it is recommended to keep nails short and avoid scratching. Topical antibiotic ointments like Neosporin can be applied to prevent infection and aid healing. In addition, thick moisturizers like ointments or creams can help alleviate dryness and prevent cracking. Examples of products that can help with these symptoms include Aquaphor Healing Ointment, CeraVe Healing Ointment, Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream, and Neosporin.
Skin Thickening - Prolonged scratching can lead to scratch marks and skin thickening. Products that contain ingredients like urea or lactic acid can help exfoliate and soften thickened skin. Examples of products that can help with this symptom include AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Lotion and Eucerin Roughness Relief Lotion.
Pigmentation - Eczema can cause darkening (hyper-pigmentation) or lightening (hypo-pigmentation) of the skin, particularly in black and brown skin tones. Sunscreen can help prevent further pigmentation changes, and products containing niacinamide or vitamin C can also help brighten skin tone. Examples of products that can help with this symptom include EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, and Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum.
Summary
Managing eczema symptoms is crucial for maintaining healthier skin. By focusing on the top three symptoms (dryness, redness, and itchiness), you'll make significant progress in controlling your eczema. Remember to watch out for less common symptoms, such as cracking, swelling, oozing, and crusting, as they may require additional treatment or medical attention.
