How To Prevent Eczema From Developing Again

Healthy skin is one of the most important steps to preventing eczema from developing again. It’s just as essential to avoid future flare-ups and rashes after the initial healing of eczema. When your skin is healthy, it can function properly and protect you from bacteria and other harmful substances outside your body. It will help keep your skin strong and free from irritants that could cause a rash or worsen an existing flare-up. Eczema is a condition that can be treated quickly, and re-occurrence can be prevented. Here is how:

1. Keep your skin hydrated and moist: It can irritate and hurt if your skin is dry. It may also cause more itching and discomfort. Eczema is a condition marked by dehydrated skin, so hydrating can be very helpful in preventing it from coming back.
2. Limit taking bubble baths or any other bath that would make your skin dryer than usual. A good alternative for bubble baths is a shower with warm water, and a moisturizing body wash.
3. Apply moisturizer all over your body after you bathe or dry off from a shower to ensure that your skin stays hydrated throughout the day. The areas most likely to get eczema are also places where it’s easy to forget to moisturize, such as the insides of elbows, ankles, and knees. You should even try moisturizing your face since it can get dry too! (Since eczema occurs on parts of the body such as hands and feet, lotion might seem like an unnecessary addition)
4. Use cotton clothing: Avoid wearing clothes made out of wool or other harsh materials that irritate your skin. Wear clothes made out of cotton instead.
5. Limit baths to 5 minutes: Too much time in a tub can dry out your skin, causing discomfort and irritation. Since eczema is a condition marked by dehydrated skin, you must limit the time you spend in a bath or shower.
6. Use fragrance-free detergents on your clothes: Soaps with fragrance can irritate your skin and won’t help prevent eczema from developing again. Instead, use unscented laundry detergent and fabric softener when washing your clothes to keep them clean without irritating your skin and making flare-ups worse.
7. Avoid hot water during showers: Hot water opens up pores and is harsh on the skin. So try to use warm water instead of hot water when you take a shower or bath.
8. Don’t moisturize your face unless it’s scorched: The skin around the eyes and mouth is thinner than the rest of the front, so that it may get irritated quickly. If you have eczema, avoid applying lotion around these areas, especially if your eczema is severe in that part of your body.
9. Irritation can lead to flare-ups: Itching and discomfort from irritants may result in a rash or an existing flare-up from becoming worse. People with sensitive skin are more prone to irritation from fabrics, perfumes, dust mites, pet dander, and other substances. So it’s important to limit exposure to these irritants when you can by doing things such as avoiding solid soaps and wearing cotton clothing instead of wool.
10. If you have dry skin or eczema: Make sure to moisturize after every bath and shower to keep your skin smooth and hydrated throughout the day. When watering, don’t apply too much lotion all at once, especially if your skin is dehydrated. You should also avoid using scented body washes since they could irritate your skin further.
11. Stay away from anything that causes flare-ups: Smoking can cause eczema flare-ups in some people; this may be due to the irritation of smoke on the skin or an allergic reaction to it. If you have eczema, avoid smoking as much as possible since it can cause your skin to get irritated, and flare-ups may occur if this is done regularly.
12. Avoid scratching: Itching and discomfort from eczema can worsen a rash or even lead to a flare-up if not treated accordingly. Scratching also breaks down the top layer of the skin, causing irritation and opening up pores for bacteria to enter and increase signs of inflammation.
13. Talk to your doctor for treatment options: Your doctor may prescribe stronger medications if over-the-counter treatments don’t work well enough in preventing rashes from becoming worse or frequently. Sometimes your dermatologist may give you a medication made from natural ingredients or cortisone injections to reduce inflammation and itchiness.
14. Don’t pop your blisters: Popping a blister can lead to infection, so it’s essential to avoid doing this if you have eczema on your hands, feet, face, or elsewhere in the body. If itching is unbearable, talk to your doctor for advice before popping a blister since there may be an underlying cause for this, such as dermatitis.
15. Stay away from hot baths and showers: Getting into a hot bath every once in a while isn’t harmful, but regular exposure could dry out your skin. The same goes with regular visits to hot tubs and saunas – while it might feel nice, these could dry out your skin and make eczema flare-ups worse.
16. Keep yourself hydrated: Drinking water helps moisturize the skin by keeping it properly hydrated, preventing you from developing eczema, or maintaining this condition at bay if you already have it. Just be careful not to drink too much water otherwise, you might experience other health issues since drinking too much of anything is bad for your body.
17. Limit the time you spend outdoors in hot weather: Your skin functions as a barrier against allergens and infection, so staying indoors on a hot summer day isn’t as big of a deal as some people think – especially for those with eczema who are more prone to heat rashes and heat sensitivities. If you must go outdoors, don’t stay out for extended periods, and make sure to take breaks from the heat every once in a while.
18. Use non-comedogenic products: A product is considered comedogenic if it plugs up your skin’s pores, potentially leading to various skin problems, including breakouts and rashes caused by irritation. So when shopping for makeup, lotions, face cream, or anything else that will go on your skin, look out for labels that indicate whether a product is non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores) such as those with “oil-free,” “non-acnegenic,” etc.
19. Avoid wearing tight clothing: Tight clothing can trap sweat and moisture against your skin, leading to irritation or worsening of eczema symptoms. If you have to wear tight clothes such as leggings, skirts, or pants, try wearing a thin pair of cotton underwear underneath to prevent chafing and discomfort from sweat.
20. Exercise in moderation: Those with sensitive skin should be careful when exercising since it can cause their skin to get irritated. Excessive sweating may also exacerbate the condition, so you should shower after working out if possible and try not to spend too much time outdoors on hot days when exercising.
21. Have realistic expectations: Keep in mind that while there are treatments available for controlling signs and symptoms associated with eczema, what works for some people may not work for others. It’s essential to be patient and persistent with any treatments you’re trying, even if it takes a while before you notice an improvement in your skin.
22.  See a dermatologist: If over-the-counter medications don’t help manage your eczema-like they should, see a dermatologist find out other treatment options such as immunosuppressants or light therapy (phototherapy), which can be used alone or combined with medications.
23. Use sunscreen daily: Not only is this good for preventing sunburns, but it also helps protect the skin from dryness and further damage that could potentially trigger eczema flare-ups. You should also wear protective clothing and hats when outside on a hot day to keep the sun out of your eyes and away from your skin.
24. Eat more fish: If you’re not yet getting enough Omega-3s in your diet, consider eating salmon, sardines, trout, or tuna regularly – remember that these are high in calories, so don’t overdo it. Next time you get an urge for junk food, try munching on some popcorn instead since this is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help fight inflammation caused by eczema.
25. Have fun whenever possible: Participating in various activities such as sports or playing with pets can be beneficial when recovering from eczema since they’re great stress relievers that boost the immune system and improve overall mood. More importantly, they help keep you distracted from thinking about the dryness and itchiness that can come with eczema, so it’s probably best to get involved in more activities whenever possible.
26. Consider taking supplements: If you know of any foods or vitamins which contain Omega-3s such as anchovies, flaxseed oil, walnuts, etc., be sure to add them to your diet since these can potentially help fight inflammation and prevent further outbreaks of eczema while also strengthening your skin against future irritations.
27. Stay warm while sleeping: As strange as it may sound, staying too cold at night (especially under hot blankets) could trigger an outbreak of eczema. So, it’s best to keep the thermostat set at a moderate temperature before going to bed and avoid drinking cold beverages late in the evening.
28. See a sleep specialist: In some cases, insomnia can cause eczema flare-ups, so if you have trouble sleeping every night, consider discussing your condition with a doctor who might be able to help treat or manage both conditions.
29. Relax whenever possible: It helps reduce stress, one of the primary triggers for countless health conditions, including eczema. Plus, relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, etc., also lower blood pressure, resulting from anxiety, and work by calming down overactive nerves that may trigger skin irritation associated with eczema.
30. Include more whole grains in your diet: Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, tuna, and walnuts may not be enough to keep you healthy, so it’s essential to try incorporating more whole grains into your meals since this help fight inflammation which could cause eczema flare-ups.
31. Try using petroleum jelly: If you’re looking for an over-the-counter treatment to help moisturize your skin, consider getting a jar of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or rubbing some on the affected areas before going to bed. This has been known to work wonders for treating dryness associated with eczema and may even be strong enough to reduce the appearance of scars left behind by previous outbreaks.
32. Use hypoallergenic products: It’s always best to avoid harsh chemicals which can further irritate your skin, although this isn’t always possible since many soaps, shampoos, etc., contain ingredients that could cause problems, especially if you have sensitive skin prone to eczema flare-ups. So, it’s best to stick to hypoallergenic products that are specifically made for those with sensitive skin.
33. Try not to scratch the affected areas: Although tempting, avoid rubbing your itches whenever you can since this only makes the condition worse by irritating the skin, which could lead to more eczema flare-ups. It also puts you at risk of developing an infection, so whenever possible, try applying soothing ointments or taking over-the-counter antihistamines to reduce itching before it becomes too severe.
34. Get enough Vitamin D: As strange as it may sound, vitamin D deficiency has been known to cause dry skin and trigger eczema outbreaks even if you’ve always had flawless skin throughout your life.
35. Choose homeopathy treatment for eczema: Homeopathy is known for treating a wide range of conditions without harsh chemicals, drugs, or any artificial ingredients. Homeopathic remedies are highly effective in getting rid of eczema-related problems. Homeopathic medicine treats eczema from the root cause and helps to control its recurrence. You can book an appointment through OHO Homeopathy for detailed information.