Category Archives: Eczema

One of the biggest discomforts with eczema is when itching strikes at bedtime. Sleep disruption due to itching may snowball into a morning of physical and mental distress. In order to get a good nights sleep, here are some practical tips.

1. HYDRATE

Take a nice cool bath an hour before bed. It not only cleans your body but also washes away the heat from your skin. It brings back vital moisture which your skin needs. Make sure to apply emollient after bathing to lock in skins moisture.

2. VENTILATE

Your sleeping environment should be planned, too. Heat leads to skin irritation. So keep to a cool bedroom temperature. Make sure air circulates properly. Avoid thick beddings and sheets and dress only in the most comfortable cotton night clothes.

3. MOISTURIZE

Stick to a daily moisturizing routine. Apply your emollient 30 minutes before sleeping to help reduce night time itching.

"Noon, nakakaawa si Hanna when all the itching kept her up at night. But Ive learned the best ways to give her the most comfortable sleeping environment. It helps to be always prepared with Elica, too. Kaya ayan mahimbing na lagi ang tulog nya (Before, I would feel bad for Hanna when all the itching kept her up at night. But Ive learned the best ways to give her the most comfortable sleeping environment. It helps to be always prepared with Elica, too. Now, she's able to sleep soundly)," Celebrity mom Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan shares.

ONE SOLUTION. ONCE A DAY.

Should flare-ups persist, its good to know theres a medicine that you can count on. Elica is specially formulated to help relieve the symptoms of eczema. Applied once a day, Elica helps stop the itching, take out the redness and ease the swelling to help bring back smooth, healthy skin.

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Time to Bid Eczema Good Night

Stress is one of the things that can cause eczema to flare up so managing stress may lead to better control of eczema. Here are some stress management techniques you can try:

1. GET ENOUGH SLEEP

Adequate sleep reduces stress, recharges your body and mind. People sometimes consume too much caffeine without realizing that it can actually lead to a reduction not only in the amount but also the quality of sleep.

2. DO SOMETHING FUN

Engage in fun activities. Participate in a hobby. Doing something that you enjoy can enhance your mental, emotional and physical well-being.

3. THINK POSITIVE

Researchers have said that positive thinking leads to health benefits. These include lower levels of distress, better psychological and physical well-being, and better coping skills during times of stress. Overcome negative self-talk and always practice positive thinking.

4. RELAX

It may be easier said than done. But the best way to fight stress is to manage it. If work is stressful, engage in relaxing activities. Get into yoga, have massages, take breaks and vacations. Eczema may be kept under control as long as you take control of your life.

"Any kind of job can be stressful at times. And because stress triggers eczema, bigla ka na lang papantalin. Ang kati! You have to know how to handle it. Pahinga lang, at Elica (Any kind of job can be stressful at times. And because stress triggers eczema, you'd suddenly get rashes that are really itchy. You have to know how to handle it. Just rest [and use] Elica)," celebrity mom Maricel Laxa shares.

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Don't Stress about Eczema

Details Published on Monday, 10 September 2012 00:00 Written by JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR-REYES

Eczema affects about 15 to 20 percent of children and one to three percent of adults globally.

It is not contagious but could be inherited.

Eczema is a long lasting condition and anyone can have eczema which usually begins early among infants and children and may continue through adulthood.

It can easily be mistaken as a rash which oftentimes prevents people from giving it the proper attention and treatment resulting in a worsened condition that usually results to itching -especially at night that prevents one from getting a good night sleep.

Those suffering from eczema which is usually accompanied by dry, red, scaly and itchy rashes either on the neck, elbows, back of the knees, scalp, writs, and ankles among others, may also end up having low self esteem as they would be teased by their peers especially in the young ones while adults may become moody and withdraw from society which affects their productivity and well being.

Hannah Pangilinan, who just turned 13 this month, use to have this problem.

One of the five children of celebrity couple Anthony and Marcicel Pangilinan, Hannah is into sports particularly gymnastics, biking and swimming and she did not let her eczema stopped her from doing what she loves, nor would her mother Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan allow it.

Of course, I dont want to stop Hannah from going outside and enjoying life. So I had to constantly remind her to be careful and avoid triggers. Panay din ang research ko online on how I can help control the symptoms of eczema at home. Oatmeal baths, clean clothes, no chocolates, I dont even put curtains up anymore. There was even a time when I would put mittens on Hannahs hands kasi eczema usually attacks at night time, Laxa-Pangilinan said.

She said aside from Hannah, two of her other five children also have eczema though it was the worst for Hannah whose rashes are usually triggered by the smallest everyday things like sweat and dust.

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Malaya Business News Online | Philippine Business News

Living with eczema can be hard, but that doesn't mean you have to let it wear you down. Here are ways that would help prevent eczema flare-ups.

1. Know what triggers your flare-ups.

Before anything else, it is most important to take note of what triggers eczema and eliminate factors that may exacerbate flare-ups. These include harsh soaps, detergents, certain chemicals, jewelry, smoke, abrasive clothing and exposure to extremes of temperature and humidity.

2. Limit contact with irritants. Patients with eczema (atopic dermatitis) are more susceptible to irritants than are unaffected individuals. Alcohol and astringents found in toiletries can have a drying effect on the skin. Bath soaps can contain fragrances, which can also exacerbate flare-ups. A fragrance-free bath soap with neutral ph is therefore recommended. Wash new clothing items before wearing them to decrease levels of formaldehyde and other added chemicals. Use liquid, rather than powder detergent, and add a second rinse cycle to facilitate removal of detergent.

3. Consider environmental living conditions. Humidity and perspiration are several factors that could also cause flare-ups and should therefore be properly addressed. Try to keep children's activities as normal as possible. Keep in mind that certain sports may be better tolerated than others. Swimming is a good alternative because it does not involve heavy perspiration, physical contact or tight clothing. However, it is important to take a shower after going out of the pool to get rid of chlorine in pool water which may irritate the skin.

4. Use sunscreen. Ultraviolet light may be beneficial to some patients with eczema however too much sun may cause sunburn. Use a sunscreen to help protect your skin. Be sure to choose a non-irritating product since some sunscreens may contain irritants.

5. Identify specific allergens that may exacerbate the eczema. Infants and young children are more likely to have food allergies. Older children and adults are more likely to react to environmental and aeroallergens (allergens present in the air) which include dust mites, animal danders, molds and pollens. Potential allergens can be identified through food challenge tests or skin prick tests. Avoidance of food implicated in controlled food challenge tests usually results in clinical improvement. In patients allergic to dust mites, use of dust mite-proof encasings of pillows and mattresses, weekly washing of bed linens in hot water, removal of bedroom carpeting, and using air conditioner in decreasing the rooms humidity are proven to be also effective.

6. Wear loose cotton clothing. Clothing made of cotton are ideally recommended for patients with eczema since synthetic fabrics, wool, and other materials with rough texture can also trigger eczema flare-ups.

7. Avoid emotional stressors. Although emotional stressors do not cause eczema, it can exacerbate the illness. Some patients oftentimes react to frustration, embarrassment or other stressful events with increased itching and scratching. Psychological counseling can be beneficial for patients, who have difficulty in dealing with emotional triggers, most especially in adolescents, who consider their skin disease disfiguring. Relaxation and behavioral modification are helpful in patients with habitual scratching.

8. Dont scratch the itch. The more you scratch, the more it itches. It then becomes a never-ending cycle. Scratching can produce breaks in the skin, making it easier for bacteria and other allergens to penetrate the skin leading to worsening of the condition. Reduction of skin inflammation and dryness with topical glucocorticoids and skin hydration often symptomatically reduce the itching. Application of cold compress over the affected area also helps lessen itching, as well as the desire to scratch.

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10 Easy Ways to Prevent Eczema Flare-Ups

I suffer with mild Eczema on my face, and anyone who has it knows Eczema has the temperament of a teenager. It's always there annoying you, but the slightest thing can aggravate it making it ten times worse, and it won't go without a fight. Last week, mine flared up with a vengeance. My cheeks looked like they could have stripped varnish from wood, and when I tried to cover it with make up, the cracks just deepened.

I used E45 cream to try and calm it down, but this would only help for an hour or two before I would feel the skin tightening again. After several days, I resorted to hydrocortisone cream, which I hate using because it thins the skin. When this failed too, my mum suggested I try Liz Earle, aBritish skincare company that uses the finest quality naturally active ingredients. It's not cheap, and my mum hastight purse strings,so when she buys an expensive product, I know it's definitely worth it.

August Superskin Essentails pack

I used the Hot Cloth Cleanser and woke up to baby soft skin, but after a couple of hours the tightness returned and I needed to moisturise -AGAIN!

Mum gave me a sample of the Skin Repair Moisturiser for dry and sensitive skinthatLiz Earle sent herfor free. All it took was one application, and my skin became more Dairy Milkthan Flake bar. This is when my love affair with Liz Earle began. The consistency of the products are perfect, and they smell so fresh.

They have a range of items designed specifically for treating Eczema. The goodies we ordered form the August Superskin Essentails pack, which arrived deliciously wrapped a couple of days ago.

Since using the products my skin has improved every day; it feels like butter! I don't bother wearing foundation any more, although the tinted moisturiser blends into the skin beautifully, and just adds a touch of colour to your face.

They also send you a complimentary gift each time you order. I got a minifoot scrub, which smells of peppermint.

Liz Earle really do look after you and your skin, and they also sell hair products and and make up, but I haven't tried those yet.

For more articles on beauty and fashion, visit Hayley's blog, A British Cocktail.

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HayleyBee90 published Miracle Skincare from Liz Earle

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that appears as red, scaly, and inflamed bumps and patches that come and go. These rashes sometimes ooze with fluid and crust especially in earlier acute stages. In later stages, the rashes may become leathery and scaly. A predominant symptom of eczema is the intense itch that comes with the rash. Eczema is also associated with dry skin and even in the absence of rashes, patients find that they need to moisturize and put in more effort in taking care of their skin.

In babies, rashes typically appear on the face and scalp however in older children and adults, rashes are more commonly found in areas where the skin folds or creases as in the neck, back of knees, inside part of elbows, ankles, and wrists.

Eczema is associated with other "atopic" conditions wherein patients have an inherited allergic tendency like asthma and allergic rhinitis. Patients commonly have family members with the same kind of skin rash, asthma and/or allergic rhinitis.

Eczema is not infectious and is not caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses. Skin with eczema however is more prone to skin infections because there is an existing break in the skin that makes it easier for organisms to enter.

There is no cure for eczema. Like asthma, it is a recurrent condition. However, there are many ways to lessen and manage flare ups.

People may confuse fungal skin infections with eczema because they can also appear as red, inflamed, and itchy rashes. It is therefore important to consult a doctor or a dermatologist who can make an accurate diagnosis and give an appropriate treatment. Here are some differences between fungal skin infections and eczema:

1. A fungal skin infection is caused by fungi. It is treated therefore, with either a topical or oral antifungal which eliminates fungi leading to a cure.

2. Being a form of infection, ringworm may be transmitted via direct contact or sharing contaminated personal items. It is not inherited.

3. Fungi like warm, moist places so areas in the body that provide this environment are typical areas where fungal infections are found like the sweaty feet. Keep skin dry and cool to keep fungal skin infections away.

Lastly, if you're unsure about a rash, it's always good to seek medical advice and avoid self-medication so you don't waste time and money on treatments that don't work.

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Spot the Difference: Eczema Versus Fungal Skin Infection

07-04-2010 07:30 Eczema is a relatively common skin condition, but a terribly frustrating one to treat. However, it doesn't have to be. Dr. Schultz explains how to treat eczema. Become a fan on facebook

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How to Treat Eczema [DermTV.com Epi #178] - Video

04-06-2010 09:08 Visit us at Facebook http Nutritional coaching The Metabolic Blueprint Program What are the many reasons why one gets eczema? What is it and how to I regulate it!

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eczema or atopic dermatitis - Video

09-06-2010 13:50 It's a skin condition characterized by dryness, redness, and itching. I recently experienced this in my eye area and it has since cleared up. Watch the video to see how I dealt with it, and please share your own advice in the comments section. *I am not a doctor. I am just sharing my own experience* Follow me on Twitter! FACEBOOK! BLOG:

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