Learn about eczema

Keeping your skin healthy is your first line of defense against eczema outbreaks.

Daily bathing. Make sure the temperature of your bath or shower is lukewarm, not hot. When drying off, it is important to pat, not rub, the skin. Rubbing will eliminate moisture on the skin and increase irritation.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp. This will lock in the moisture and keep the skin from drying out. Reapply moisturizer throughout the day as needed.

Avoid irritants. Soaps, perfumes, and laundry detergents can irritate the skin and cause itching. Use the mildest soaps possible and only apply to areas of the body that are visibly dirty or prone to odor. Avoid perfumes and colognes that dry and irritate the skin. In the laundry, use a second rinse cycle to help rinse out irritating detergents from clothing.

Dress comfortably. Choose clothing that is soft and breathable. Loose, cotton clothes are the best choice. In the winter, clothing should be loose and layered to minimize the drying effects of the cold weather. Fabrics like wool, nylon, and polyester may be extremely irritating and can worsen the itch-scratch cycle of eczema. Also, certain dyes in clothes may irritate the skin.

Reduce perspiration. Keeping the house at a moderate temperature can help minimize sweating during hot or cold weather. Layer light blankets to avoid night sweating. And remember to bathe and apply moisturizer as soon as possible after exercising.

Minimize stress. Emotional stresses, such as anger, frustration, and embarrassment, may cause outbreaks of eczema. As outbreaks often create a great deal of stress themselves, this can create a very frustrating cycle, especially for children. The key to reducing stress-related outbreaks is to recognize what factors induce stress and reduce them through counseling and stress-management techniques.