Eczema is a condition in which a person develops a very itchy rash that is red and blotchy. The rash usually appears your face, neck, elbows, knees, or basically anywhere on the body. The affected area typically becomes dry, and flaky. In some rare cases, skin can crack open and/or blisters can occur.
What Causes Eczema?
There are a few different causes of eczema. It often appears to run in families. If you are genetically inclined to eczema, outbreaks may be caused by even the smallest amount of stress, emotional or physical.
Eczema can also be related to:
- Allergies or sensitivities: Certain foods, such as milk, eggs, nuts, or wheat may cause the outbreak. Even airborne irritants, like mites and mold, can cause eczema.
- Irritants in Common Substances: There are many people that are sensitive to even the most common substances, such as latex, certain dyes in detergents and clothing, synthetic fibers, chlorine, and other chemicals such as formaldehyde. Harsh soaps and household cleaning products can also be the culprit.
How Can I Prevent Eczema?
- Use mild, non-irritating soaps that will not dry out your skin.
- Moisturize after you shower. First, bathe or shower in lukewarm (not hot) water and let your skin absorb the water. Once you get out, apply thick, non-scented moisturizer on you body. This will help your body retain the moisture.
- When you wash your clothes, use mild detergents and if necessary, rinse your clothes twice to get rid of any trace of the soap.
- Wear protection. This means wearing gloves when you are working with soaps and other household cleaning products.
