Your skin is an important part of your body, and it’s easy to take it for granted. Supple, healthy skin is beautiful, so a good skincare routine is usually part of your everyday beauty routine. However, sometimes your skin doesn’t always play ball.

Eczema is an incredibly common skin condition that causes dry, itchy, and sensitive skin. Some people also have other skin problems, such as psoriasis or dermatitis that cause similar issues. It can be hard to feel beautiful when your skin is your worse enemy. 

While eczema and similar skin conditions might not have a cure, the good news is that you can treat them. If you take care of your skin, then it will take care of you. 

Your Skin and Your Health

It can be easy to forget about your skin when you’re thinking about your health, but as the largest organ of your body, your skin is essential to your well-being. Your skin protects the more delicate parts of your body from the harsh outside environment, preventing infections and other unwelcome visitors. 

Your skin also helps you to maintain your body temperature. It has mechanisms to cool you down or retain heat, depending on the circumstances. When your skin is damaged, it’s not just painful, but it can lead you open to infection and other health problems.

Your skin can also act as a warning sign for other health problems. For example, eczema, a common skin condition, has a number of causes and triggers. These include allergens, stress, and some bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Your skin can be worsened by poor health.

This means that, if your skin deteriorates very quickly and dramatically without any clear cause, you should visit the doctor. It could be that you need to change your skincare routine or take medication to help your skin. But a doctor can also look for a different cause, such as an autoimmune disorder or infection. 

The Food You Eat

As your skin sometimes acts as a reflection of your body, the food you eat can impact it. This is especially true if you have eczema or allergies. Some foods are known to make dry skin and eczema worse, while others can promote healthy skin. 

If your eczema doesn’t get better no matter what you do, then changing your diet might be the key to healthier skin. It is linked to food allergies and sensitivities, so the first place to start is by eliminating foods that are known to cause stomach issues or bloating.

The best way to find out which foods trigger your eczema is to undergo something called an elimination diet. You should talk to your doctor about this diet and discuss what foods are more likely to cause problems. Once you have a list of potential trigger foods, then you can cut them out of your diet.

Monitor your symptoms and determine whether there is any improvement. Then, introduce the potential trigger foods back into your diet one at a time. If your skin had improved and dramatically gets worse after eating a type of food, then you’ve found a trigger. 

Allergy testing is another way that you can identify potential trigger foods. Common trigger foods include dairy and wheat, but it differs from person to person. Foods that are high in nickel (a common allergen) can also trigger eczema, these include chocolate or soy. 

Some food can also improve your skin and immune system. Good nutrition is important for good overall general health, which can also make your skin healthier. Anti-inflammatory foods are especially good for eczema. This includes plenty of fish and probiotic foods. 

Skin Treatments at Home

No matter what your skin is like, you should have a regular skincare routine to keep it as healthy as possible. Your skin goes through a lot during the day. It’s exposed to dirt, different temperatures, harsh environments, chemicals, and fabrics that can be irritating. This means that you need to take care of it and allow it to recover.

Moisturizing creams are fantastic for your skin, as they prevent it from drying out. Some creams can soothe ezcema and even help it to clear up, especially if you keep on top of it. If you notice that your skin is starting to dry out, then you should increase your moisturizing routine. 

Different creams work in different ways and some might be better or worse for your skin. Do your research and find something that works for you. For example, look up the benefits of colloidal oatmeal for skin as this is an ingredient in many moisterizers and other skin creams. 

A regular skincare routine typically involves cleansing and moisterizing your skin when you wake up and before bed. You may find a different routine that works best for you, but as long as it’s a daily, routine regime, your skin should stay healthier.  

What to Avoid

While there are some treatments and creams that are good for your skin, some chemicals are harmful irritants. If you have eczema, you may find that you have an allergic reaction to some substances that otherwise shouldn’t bother your skin.

In some cases, certain soaps and creams might contain an ingredient that triggers your eczema. If you’ve noticed this, then read the ingredients list and find something that is the likely culprit so that you can avoid it. 

When finding cleansers and soaps, lean towards gentle and natural ingredients that are unlikely to irritate your skin. Keep clear of harsh cleaning products and wear gloves if you have to be in contact with them. If you dye your hair, then talk to your hairdresser about what products you can use to look after your scalp.

If you have dry skin on your scalp, then you have to take special care to make sure that you don’t use any shampoo or other products that can dry out your skin. Bad skin is uncomfortable and can affect your hair growth. It can be difficult to apply moisterizers topically to your scalp, which makes treating dermatitis tricky. 

Some fabrics are also more likely to cause eczema flares. Rough fibers irritate the skin and dry it out, causing dermatitis. Tight fitting clothes can also cause problems. Choose soft fabrics like cotton that allow air to reach your skin and don’t irritate it. 

When washing, avoid extremely hot showers or baths. These can damage your skin and make it dry out, so even if you like a hot shower, turn the temperature down. Your skin will thank you. Use soft towels and pat your skin dry rather than rubbing, as this damages your skin when it’s at its most sensitive. 

Winter is an especially difficult time for people with eczema. The cold air rapidly dries out your skin and, especially if your skin has started cracking already, warmer fabrics can be more irritating. Take extra precautions and increase your moisturizing routine. Cover your skin as much as possible to keep it away from cold air. 

One common cause of eczema flareups is stress. If this is the case, then try to reduce causes of stress in your life. This might be easier said than done, but you could find that relaxing and taking some time to yourself does wonders for your skin, as well as other aspects of your health. Taking care of yourself is never a bad idea, after all. 

When to See the Doctor

Most of the time, you can manage your dry skin or eczema at home. As mentioned above, there isn’t a cure for ezcema, so once you’ve found a treatment plant that works, you can usually keep your skin as healthy as possible. However, sometimes it’s best to see a doctor.

If you are struggling to manage your eczema, even when keeping to a good skincare routine and doing all you can, you should see a dermatologist. A dermatologist can look for underlying issues that could be causing your skin problems and help you to come up with a treatment plan that works.

If your skin gets infected due to ezcema and cracking, then you should see a doctor. They can prescribe an antibiotic cream to clear up any infections and to help your skin to heal more completely. Sometimes you may be prescribed an oral antibiotic as well.

Other medications include steroid creams and antihistamines. These are antiinflammatory medications that relieve itchiness and inflamed skin. When your skin is itchy, it’s almost impossible to resist the urge to scratch. Unfortunately, scratching further irritates the skin and introduces infections from your fingernails. Keeping your nails short does help, but treating the itchiness prevents this urge.

Some doctors might recommend treatments like phototherapy, which involves exposure to UVA or UVB waves and can treat some cases of dermatitis. Do your research and discuss these treatment options with your doctor so that you will hopefully find a treatment that works.

Hopefully, a doctor will be able to help you to manage your dry skin and get it healthy again. Even after it’s cleared up, be sure to take special care of your skin.