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The Management of
Eczema/Dermatitis
We know that eczema is a drying of the skin
which results
in inflammation and the risk of
infection.Those infections create
further
inflammation and more drying.Combating eczema is a three
fold fight,healing the skin and keeping it
healthy,preventing
flare-ups,and treating
symptoms.
Treatment revolves around keeping the skin
healthy with
the use of moisturisers.The methods
used here vary and a certain
amount of
experimentation is necessary to find out what works
for
the individual.It will take time to find out what
works best.
Never introduce more than one
thing at a time,for example a
mixture of creams and
new diet,instead change only one thing at a
time
giving each change a chance to work so you have an
accurate
account of the results.Moisturisers should
be applied right after
bathing,this immediately
restores the skin's barrier trapping the
water .This
serves to protect from the skin from irritants
as
well.Diligence is the key to having the most
success in
maintaining proper moisture levels and
combating flare-ups.This
will involve using 400-500
grams of moisturiser (for children)
per week--this
will be proportionately larger for adults.
Developing a strong daily moisturising program
has been shown in
studies to reduce the need for
topical prescription
medications.This has also
become even more pertinent considering
the recent
warning issued by the FDA concerning two steroid-free
topical medications,Elidel Cream and Protopic.These
two
medications have been incorrectly deemed safer
than the commonly
used hydrocortisone.These two
drugs were just recently approved
in 2000/2001 and
the FDA has had reports of lymphoma and skin
cancer
in children and adults treated with Elidel or
Protopic.The
FDA recommends these two drugs not be
used in children before two
and that ONLY in older
children if unresponsive or intolerant to
other
eczema treatments or remedies.Petrolatum /petroleum
jelly
also sold under well known names such as
Vaseline and found in
many personal care
moisturisers has also come under new scutiny.
Petrolatum is found in one of every 14 items on the
market and
the FDA allows no more than 10 parts per
million in food with
strong restrictions in the
impurity levels of the cancer causing
agent PAH
(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).There are NO
RESTRICTIONS on the use of petrolatum and it's
purity in personal
care products.Manufacturers are
free to use the same petrolatum
in shoe polish as
they are in lip balm or baby lotion.Petroleum
jelly
is used in over 40% of moisturisers,shaving products,sun
products,anti-aging cream,45% of rash and itch
creams,baby
lotions,hair remover,50% menopause
creams,35% of eye
creams,concealers,foot creams and
conditioners.
Eczema flare-ups can be very painful and itchy
and the
most effective treatment for those symptoms
remains steroid
creams.Topical cortisteroid
preparations seem to work quickly and
effectively,you of course should be using an
emoillient regularly
and applying one after using
the steroid cream.Steroid creams
come in different
strengths and should be used as little as
possible,using the mildest one necessary and
sparingly.Steroid
cream is very hard on the skin and
over extended use may result
in the skin breaking
down and becoming very fragile.The flare-ups
can
usually be brought under control in a fairly short
length of
time with this method.The success and time
it takes to bring the
flare-ups under control often
depends on the way you use and
apply the
treatment.Once again,diligence and the right
combination is the key, often testing one's
patience.Removal of
irritants from one's
surroundings in the form of chemicals,
deodorants,
soaps, shampoos all can make a difference.If the skin
becomes sensitised or allergic to them a flare-up
may take
place,certainly the case in irritant
contact eczema,where the
hands are often
involved.Some people do find that certain foods
will
trigger flare-ups,again a trial and error situation
where
one food at a time should be experimented
with.Some as well will
find relief with
antihistimines in releiving itching.
Each individual has their unique set of
circumstance,so
becoming aware and making
informed,well thought out choices is
essential.Those
choices will involve everything from diet,to
handling stress,to what kind of moisturiser to
use.Once the
choices have been made and the plan
implimented this potentially
debilitating condition
can be virtually brought to a halt.Simply
stated
this frustrating condition needs to be met with a simple
management plan,good luck with yours!
Author Tom Taylor
shares his passion for healthy
skin.
For truly remarkable skin
care
delivering relief to
thousands
http://www.beeswaxskincream.com
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