While eczema should be treated by a licensed medical professional, there are a number of home remedies that can be tried to reduce the severity of symptoms. Extreme temperatures or excessive dryness can trigger eczema in some people. Taking steps to stabilize the temperature of one's home, and installing a humidifier in dry environments, can help. Many home remedies focus on limiting dry skin and skin irritation. A good way to prevent dry skin from developing, and thus triggering eczema, is to bathe in lukewarm water and to moisturize immediately after. Simple lotions may not suffice; instead, creams and emollients may be required to keep the skin from losing moisture. Some skin specialists suggest avoiding antiperspirants, or switching to those that contain anti-irritant compounds. It is equally important to avoid any bath or beauty products that contain fragrances or other potentially irritating substances. Soap-free washes are better than regular soap. Many people suffer from contact eczema triggered by detergents. When clothes are washed in detergent, rinsing them a second time can help wash out more of the detergent. Cotton clothing causes less skin irritation than synthetic fabric or wool; clothes should also be loose and comfortable. If itching is a problem, cold wet compresses may help soothe the skin. Nails should be kept short in children with eczema, to avoid excessive scratching and damage to the skin. Women should avoid applying artificial acrylic nails; either the glue used to hold them in place, or the nails themselves, are thought to act as triggers. Costume jewelry should also be avoided. When a certain food triggers eczema, eliminating it from the diet may help reduce symptoms. While diets that eliminate foods work best in children under two years of age, they can be tried in older patients too. Some frequently implicated foods are fish, eggs, nuts, wheat and dairy products. |
