Friday, March 25, 2005
Healthy Skin
To keep skin healthy, it is better to avoid long baths. It was once thought that cutting down on all baths was important. Now we know that long baths and soaps are the problem for most eczema sufferers. When the skin prunes, this disrupts the moisture-retaining layer of sensitive skin.
Aim for frequent, brief baths, in lukewarm water, and use a small amount of very mild cleanser, such as Cetaphil, Dove or Neutrogena, or better yet, don't use any unless you are particularly dirty. These brief baths will hydrate the skin, not dry it out. A few people with eczema can't tolerate baths at all and need to be cleansed with Cetaphil liquid, a water-free cleanser for people with sensitive skin. Use the liquid cetaphil sparingly as it can cause dryness of the skin with overuse.
Apply a moisturizing lotion to the affected areas as least twice a day. Apply the moisturizer immediately following the bath, while the skin is still damp. Use a product like Eucerin, Lubriderm, Alpha Keri, Moisturel, Aquaphor, Curel, or Vaseline. This will keep the skin moist and help protect the skin from other irritants. A humidifier for the room can also help prevent the skin from getting too dry.
In the midst of an inflamed cycle, cortisone cream can be very helpful. It is not recommended for everyday use. Use the mildest form of cortisone that will break the cycle. On the face, an over-the-counter strength cortisone cream, such as Cortaid or Hydrocortisone, will usually be sufficient. Do not use anything stronger than the over-the-counter cortisone, unless prescribed by her pediatrician. Once the cycle is broken, gradually reduce, then stop, the cortisone over one week to prevent rebound.
You can help minimize inflamed patches of eczema, but the skin will remain sensitive until you outgrow the condition.
Aim for frequent, brief baths, in lukewarm water, and use a small amount of very mild cleanser, such as Cetaphil, Dove or Neutrogena, or better yet, don't use any unless you are particularly dirty. These brief baths will hydrate the skin, not dry it out. A few people with eczema can't tolerate baths at all and need to be cleansed with Cetaphil liquid, a water-free cleanser for people with sensitive skin. Use the liquid cetaphil sparingly as it can cause dryness of the skin with overuse.
Apply a moisturizing lotion to the affected areas as least twice a day. Apply the moisturizer immediately following the bath, while the skin is still damp. Use a product like Eucerin, Lubriderm, Alpha Keri, Moisturel, Aquaphor, Curel, or Vaseline. This will keep the skin moist and help protect the skin from other irritants. A humidifier for the room can also help prevent the skin from getting too dry.
In the midst of an inflamed cycle, cortisone cream can be very helpful. It is not recommended for everyday use. Use the mildest form of cortisone that will break the cycle. On the face, an over-the-counter strength cortisone cream, such as Cortaid or Hydrocortisone, will usually be sufficient. Do not use anything stronger than the over-the-counter cortisone, unless prescribed by her pediatrician. Once the cycle is broken, gradually reduce, then stop, the cortisone over one week to prevent rebound.
You can help minimize inflamed patches of eczema, but the skin will remain sensitive until you outgrow the condition.
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