Cosmetics
and skin care products:
Avoid lotions that contain alcohol, perfumes, dyes or solvents - your
best bet is to avoid them altogether, if possible. Many
of these lotions will irritate your already over-sensitive
skin, and cause your skin to become permanently dry.
All cosmetic products that contain AHA’s
or BHA’s (alpha or beta hydroxy acids - fruit
acids) should be stopped immediately. (Products with
these ingredients should be avoided at all costs).
Avoid products like Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) and Aquaeous
Cream as they only dehydrate the skin even more.
If you haven't done so already, you must read the articles on toxic chemicals,
you'll be astounded.
Clothing
and Bedding:
Clothing and bedding made from wool and synthetic fibers,
such as nylon and polyester, can irritate the skin.
Only wear loose-fitting, 100% cotton clothing and cover
your blanket with a lining made from 100% cotton..
Many eczema sufferers, especially children and teenagers try to cover their legs and arms even in the summer to avoid being teased by their friends and classmates. This only worsens the condition. As much as possible, you should wear thin clothing that will not cause you to sweat.
Laundry
For reasons stated above, do not mix your clothes with
other non-cotton clothes when you do your laundry.
Avoid detergents that have dyes and perfumes.
Fabric softeners should be discontinued altogether.
Do not over dry your clothes in the dryer.
Temperature
and Humidity
Heat and dryness will definitely aggravate eczema, so
keep the house, especially your bedroom, on the cool
side, and use a humidifier when the air is too dry.
Be aware, however, that an overly humid environment
can encourage dust mites to thrive, which will worsen
allergies such as hay fever and asthma.
Few people realize that humidity can change rapidly within hour. Eczema patients typically have very dry skin due to lack of prostaglandins and overuse of lotion, which has become extremely sensitive to low humidity. Patients that live in the harsh winter environment should get a humidifier to help keep the humidity in their room around 60%. If you know for sure that you are allergic to dust mite which thrive at high humidity, then you should at least maintain the humidity at 40%.
Fighting
the Itch
Many topical creams contain harsh chemicals that could change
the complexion of the affected skin permanently, so use an emollient that is naturally based. Should the itch become excessive, we recommend
that you get a few empty vitamin bottles, fill them with water,
and then freeze them in the freezer. Placing these bottles filled
with frozen ice directly on the affected skin could be the most
effective and economical way to fight the unbearable itching.
It is impossible to ask eczema sufferers not to scratch their skin, since the itch is very intense. But by trimming the fingernails very short and smooth, you may avoid infection caused by injury to the skin which will worsen the condition, while possibly leaving a permanent scar when finally healed.
When all else fails...
Eczema is a very difficult condition to treat mainly due to all the variables, however over the past 13 years we have had an almost 100% success rate when treatments are combined with the antigen reduction diet. This is only recommended when all other options have been exhausted and have failed to work. The reason is simple, people do not enjoy being told what they can and cannot eat, however when ones life is so miserable that this is the last resort, adherence to the diet is uppermost on their priority list and success can be attained. The diet is not difficult to follow, but usually a person is coming from dietary habits that are so diabolical that it is a major change to their lifestyle. I can guarantee that after 3-4 weeks you will not believe how great you feel.