Best Way to Use Skin Care for Eczema Sufferers

Skin care, especially the use of moisturizing emollients, is a key element in easing the symptoms of eczema and helping the skin to heal. Contrary to popular belief, bathing often can be helpful, since it adds moisture to the skin. However, you must add bath oils formulated for eczema rather than ordinary bubble bath, which has a drying effect. After bathing, it is important to apply emollient to retain skin moisture.

In the bath

• Use non-perfumed soaps or cleansing oils. Only add bath oil that is especially made for eczema sufferers to the water.

• Pat the skin dry – don’t rub -with a towel.
• Apply emollients liberally after bathing. Whereas corticosteroid creams should be used only as directed by your doctor, there is no limit on the amount of emollient that can safely be used.

Applying creams and emollients

• Keep your fingernails short and wash your hands carefully before applying creams or emollients to an eczema sufferer. Gently massage only small amounts of cream at a time into the skin using a light, circular motion.
• Encourage absorption and discourage scratching after treatment by bandaging the affected area with sterile cotton gauze. With a child sufferer, make sure that the child’s fingernails are kept short. Use an emery board to file nails down to the finger pads.
• Consider wet-wrapping children with very bad eczema at night. The child is covered in emollient before wrapping in wet bandages, but keep thumbs out to make it easier for the child to pick things up.

• Use emollients on a regular basis to keep the skin moisturized. Use them liberally and frequently, even when the skin is apparently free of eczema. The skin’s resistance will be lowered for at least four to five months after the eczema appears to have healed.
• Lanolin-free emollients and bath oils are available for those allergic to this substance.