eczemasolutions.info » Eczema Advice

New research suggests steroid creams do not cause thinning skin

Tom — Mon, 09 May 2011 12:35:44 +0000

An Australian study published last month seems to suggest that steroid creams can be used ‘normally’ on children suffering from eczema without resulting in a thinning of the skin.

70 children were provided with enough steroid cream to allow a regular use that kept their conditions under control and all but eliminated symptoms. A control group of 22 children were studied at the same time. Both groups were examined for evidence of steroid-related side effects, in particular, for evidence of thinning skin.

No difference was found between the two groups. This news could be extremely reassuring for parents who are caring for children who suffer from the condition. It could mean that parents do not need to find the balance between relieving the symptoms of eczema and limiting the use of effective treatment.

Normal, routine use of topical corticosteroids is the best way of keeping the skin condition under control. The treatment should be part of a combination of approaches, which includes keeping the skin well moisturised, avoiding the use of soaps and bath bubbles that could aggravate the skin, and keeping the bedroom environment cool.

What are the reasons for eczema flare ups?

Laura — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:27:37 +0000

If you are a sufferer of eczema, like me, you will do you hardest to ensure that your flare ups are kept to a minimum so you have to determine what your triggers are so that you reduce the amount of attacks that you have.

What are the reasons for eczema flare ups:

You may be stressed at work, which causes you to itch more are you are stressed and irritated
You may have used a different fabric softener or washing powered on your clothes which is causing it to irritate your skin
You may have allergies, for example, I am allergic to animals with fur, so if I go to a friend’s house who have a cat or a dog, this affects my skin

Once you have worked out your trigger it is best to try and avoid activating it. Eczema is not a curable skin condition, you will always have it. However, it is just a matter of controlling it and getting the relevant cream to control the flare up.

Corticosteroids

Tom — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:35:26 +0000

As all sufferers know there is no cure for the condition that is eczema. However, there are treatments that help or try to control symptoms such as itching and inflammation.
A particularly effective medicine are Corticosteroids which can really help with controlling or suppressing symptoms in most cases.
Corticosteroids, specifically Topical Corticosteroids are absorbed into the skin cells and prevent them from producing inflammation causing chemicals or irritation.
Some of the most potent Topical Corticosteroids are Aureocort ointment, Betacap scalp application, Betnovate cream/ointment/lotion and Lotriderm cream.
Of course there can be side effects so please consult your doctor first.

Treatment of Eczema with Acupuncture

Tom — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:59:34 +0000

Acupuncture is a complimentary medicine designed to help relieve the symptoms of illnesses but targeting specific areas of the body with small needles. It is a Traditional Chinese Medicine that aims to help restore the natural balances in the body.
Therefore the treatment of eczema with acupuncture will relieve the symptoms by trying to find the root cause of the problem.
Acupuncture is all about returning the balance within the body and returning the energy flow. Eczema is considered to be caused by the imbalance of three factors; wind, heat and dampness. There can also be other health problems such as the deficiency of vital organs. But often acupuncture will also be complimented with herbal remedies/creams too.

The Effects of Winter Weather on Eczema

Tom — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:09:05 +0000

The effects of winter on eczema can be just as bad as the sun. With winter fast approaching follow these guidelines to help relieve the symptoms.
• Apply moisturisers daily and throughout the day in the winter months.
• Make sure your moisturiser has an high oil content.
• Pay special attention to your fingernails – if you don’t moisturise them they can become brittle and crack.
• Even though it is the winter you still have to use sunblock. A lot of moisturisers actually have SPF in them now.
• Avoid wearing itchy or scratchy materials like wool, this can irritate and inflame eczema
• Try not to exposure too much skin to the cold weather
• Wear gloves to protect your hands if they make you sweat then wear a cotton glove to soak up the sweat.
• Try to use a humidifier in the home to stop the warmth from the winter heating drying out your skin
• Keep hydrated
• Do not shower using really hot weather, try warm or cool water, using mild soaps only and always moisturise straight after showering.

How to Combat Eczema

Sean — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:56:45 +0000

Having a severe case of eczema can impact a lot on your life. Here are just a couple of ways of helping combat the pain of eczema.
• Make sure your clothes are 100% cotton or at least made from soft fabrics
• Try to avoid rough or scratchy fibres and fabrics as these can act as irritants.
• Try to avoid tight clothing – again this is an irritant.
• If you can find them use rubber gloves with a lining made from cotton.
• When showering or having a bath, use lukewarm water, the change in body temperate from normal to really hot can increase the inflammation of the eczema.
• Use mild soaps or non-soap cleansing products.
• Quick changes in temperature can irritate eczema so avoid activities that will cause this to happen.
• Dust mites are one of the main stimuli’s for eczema so make sure you ventilate your house, get rid of rugs, carpets and stuffed toys, regularly change bed linen and vacuum your mattress and cushions.
• Reduce your stress levels
• Try to not use feather pillows
• Make sure you pat yourself dry after washing and moisture as soon as possible to ‘lock in’ moisture.

Effects Of The Sun On Eczema

Sean — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:17:53 +0000

For sufferers of eczema, prolonged exposure to sunlight can be either a blessing or a curse, depending on the individual. For some it will help to relieve symptoms while for others the heat will cause flare ups. As a general set of guidelines however, the following tips are advisable to all eczema sufferers:

Avoid the sun around midday
In hotter climates, around noon is when the sun will be at its highest and most intense. The UV rays of the sun are at their strongest and can cause redness and irritation. It’s best to organise outdoor activities either earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Use clothing as a sun block
While it’s tempting to go sunbathing in hot weather, for eczema sufferers it may be better to wear t-shirts and hats when particularly hot. The shade provided by the clothing is ideal to relieve symptoms.

Wear sun screen
This goes for everyone really, eczema sufferers or not. A high factor sun block is vital to minimise risk of damage to the skin caused by the sun.

Eczema And The Home

Tom — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:26:39 +0000

For most people, the family home represents a place you go to for safety and security. However, for those that suffer with eczema and other allergy-related conditions, the home can be a hazardous place with multiple sources of eczema flare-ups.

There are many factors involved in management of your eczema, such as a good skin care routine and correct use of prescribed treatments. Unfortunately some factors such as allergens are out of your control. However, measures can be taken to reduce the chances of flare-ups caused by allergens, making life that bit more comfortable.

House Dust Mites
While often linked with asthma sufferers, research suggests dust mites can also be a trigger for eczema sufferers. Invisible to the naked eye, dust mites live in bedding, carpets and anywhere warm and damp. They tend to live off the dead skin we shed, making hovering and dusting particularly important in reducing their numbers (it’s almost impossible to get rid of all dust mites in a home). It is also advised to wash your duvets and pillows regularly and at a high temperature, or even look at purchasing anti dust mite covers for your bedding.

Pets
Animal fur is traditionally a common cause of eczema flare ups, with eczema sufferers often being allergic to the hair’s that most pets will shed. It is normally advised to simply not get a pet such as a dog or cat, but if this isn’t an option then regular washing of your pet, hoovering of the home and restricting the pet from bedrooms can go a long way to reducing the problems that lead to eczema flare ups.

Central Heating
A cool and moderately humid atmosphere in the house is best for eczema sufferers, as warm temperatures can cause sweating and itching while dryer air will dry out the skin. It is advised to keep temperatures as low as is comfortable, while leaving bowls of water on or near heat sources will help to maintain a healthy amount of moisture in the air.