Manage and moisturise – two keys to treating eczema

A programme for dealing with eczema will have two main parts:

• Managing and avoiding the causes of the problem.
• Moisturising the skin.

Managing and avoiding the causes

You probably know only too well that eczema flares up when you least want it to – before a big night out, an interview or holiday, for example. You’ll also have an idea what foods or fabrics make it worse and how much the family pet is a problem.

Trouble is, normal life gets in the way and we encounter eczema triggers at work or elsewhere that we aren’t able to avoid. Stress can also play its part – and simply worrying about a flare-up can sometimes bring one on.

So what’s the answer? Well, may we suggest a little selfishness?

• Make sure your home and work environments are free from irritants.
• Establish a ‘zero-tolerance’ rule regarding the foods and drinks that set you off. (The rest of the family will just have to get used to it!).
• Be polite but firm when saying ‘no’ to offers of inappropriate snacks, drinks or visits to places that affect your condition.
• Buy or borrow a relaxation tape or a book about meditation to help your stress, and set aside at least 20 minutes a day for calm and quiet contemplation.
• If you haven’t done so already, make a plan to change your wardrobe to all-natural fibres.
• Drink 2 litres of water a day. You can moisturise your skin from the inside as well as the outside.

Moisturising the skin

The second part of the plan is easier.

Buy Epaderm® ointment or cream (you can do it here) and apply it liberally to the affected areas of your skin. At least twice a day is good.

You can’t use too much – emollients aren’t like steroids – and you can also combine them with Tubifast™ Garments, Gloves and Patch Wrap to cover the affected areas and lock the moisture into your skin.

Tubifast Patch Wrap looks like a sports support, so it's not embarrassing to wear in public!

Find out more about wet and dry wrapping.

*Wet wrapping should only be done if a healthcare practitioner advises it.