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Over 31 million Americans have or will experience some form of eczema. Symptoms can range from mild to severe during a "flare-up" and affect people from childhood into adulthood. Individuals seeking eczema relief must often rely on moisturizers, antihistamines, topical steroid creams, and corticosteroids.
What is Eczema?
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common inflammatory skin condition that causes itchy, dry, and red irritated skin, rashes, blisters, and skin infections. Itchiness is the most common symptom associated with eczema. Although it can occur at any age, eczema usually starts during infancy or early childhood and can persist into adulthood.
Causes and Symptoms of Eczema
Eczema has many contributing factors, including environmental interaction and genetics. Irritants or allergens that enter or produce within the body can trigger an immune response causing inflammation and flare-ups to the surface. It's this inflammation that causes most of the eczema's common symptoms.
Filaggrin, a protein that helps skin retain moisture, can lead to dry, itchy skin when deficient. Emotional stress can cause individuals to break out in hives. Everyday household items can also contribute to possible eczema flare-ups.
Common triggers of eczema may include:
Surface cleaners and disinfectants
Certain "itchy" fabrics like polyester or wool found in sheets and clothing
Extended exposure to extreme temperatures or air that is dry, arid
Some soaps and facial cleansers, when applied to the skin
Candle fragrances
Chemical additives found in laundry detergents and fabric softeners
Certain fruits, vegetables, and meats
Some metals
The eczema symptoms are different for everyone. Some individuals may mistake psoriasis for eczema; however, they are two different conditions.
Common symptoms of eczema may include:
Itch
Skin sensitivity and dryness
Red, inflamed skin
Scaly patches of skin
Crust, oozing, blisters
Swollen areas
Eczema in lighter-skinned individuals may appear red, whereas darker skin may appear gray or ashen. Black Americans are more likely to experience severe symptoms associated with eczema than other ethnicities.
Eczema could go away on its own or flare up from time to time for the foreseeable future. These flare-ups may have all the symptoms on the list or only a few. Regardless, your best step toward eczema relief is a tailored treatment plan.
Solutions For Eczema
As there is no cure for eczema, you should tailor a treatment plan to your eczema symptoms. Treatments will depend on your age and the severity of your eczema. Mild symptoms may find relief in the form of an eczema-friendly soap or an eczema face treatment.
More severe symptoms may require medical-grade moisturizing creams, topical corticosteroids, over-the-counter (OTC) home remedies, immunosuppressants, and injectable biologics.
Managing and avoiding flare-ups can be done with the following:
Avoid irritant exposure by knowing and understanding your triggers
Develop and execute a daily bathing and moisturizing routine
Use prescription medication and OTC creams only as prescribed or recommended
Joe-Le Soap specializes in 100% natural, plant-based, and eczema-friendly solutions for your skin care needs. Our mission is to help people find and provide the best products for eczema relief and avoid flare-ups.
Products like our Red Turmeric anti-inflammatory soap aid in protecting the skin against oxidative stress, and evening skin tone, while promoting the removal of damaged skin cells. Pair it with our Apricot Seed Body Butter for excellent results!