There is no cure for eczema. But is can be controlled effectively with medication that decreases the inflammation in the skin. Even if you do follow all your doctor's instructions carefully, there may be times when eczema flares up for no apparent reason.
Try to follow these tips for some added relief:
Control temperature and humidity. Keep the temperature of your house at 64 to 68 degrees to avoid excessive sweating, and humidity between 30 to 50 percent to avoid dry skin.
Protect and moisturize the skin. Use creams and emollients on your child's skin before going outside into cold weather and at bedtime, even when the rash isn't visible.
Keep fingernails short and clean. There is less chance of tearing and infecting the skin from scratching. Children may have to wear gloves at night to prevent scratching.
Wear loose fitting, cotton clothing. It is much less likely to irritate the skin than wool, silk, polyester, nylon or linen. Cotton garments can also be layered during the winter months for extra warmth.
Use only a small amount of mild soap. For bathing and washing clothes and bedding, use gentle soaps and detergents free of perfume or fragrances. Avoid fabric softeners and bleaches, and double rinse thoroughly.
Bathe daily. However, keep the soaking time limited to 10 minutes and use warm water, not hot, water. Add about a half to one capful or gentle bath oil to the bathwater during the middle of the bath and use only mild soaps if necessary. After bathing, pat your child dry leaving the skin slightly damp; then apply corticosteroid ointment in specific areas, if needed, and also apply a no allergenic moisturizer or lubricant - even the areas where the corticosteroid ointment has been applied - in order to protect the skin from becoming too dry.
Wash off residue of irritating foods. Clean your face right after eating such foods as strawberries, oranges and tomatoes, therefore reducing the possibility of forming rashes from contact with these foods.
Practical environmental control measures to avoid or minimize allergens, such as dust mites, and irritants to the skin, such as direct contact with wool with be an extra boost to your environmental fix.
