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Lifestyle changes you can make to help your skin problem
Triggers
Look out for what triggers an outbreak, do this by keeping food diary or checking what you came into physical contact with prior to an outbreak and making notes, this way you will see a pattern emerge. Try to eliminate the food or foods from your diet or avoid contact with substances you know cause an allergic reaction on the skin.
Stress
The skin is the largest and most visible organ in the body so it tends to register stress fairly quickly. If your skin is already dry, stress makes it even drier; therefore we itch and scratch more. Long term stress slows the production of collagen and elastin fibres that give the skin its elasticity so you must search for ways to help relax and de-stress.
Light meditation exercises might help your stress level or listening to relaxing music. Various mental or physical activities can be therapeutic and help you forget about your skin problem at least for a while. Be good to yourself, give yourself some quality time doing something you enjoy, it will do wonders for your skin.
Living with a skin problem can make you feel angry and frustrated often lashing out on those closest to you. Try to change this pattern as it keeps tensions and stress levels high, hurting others as well as yourself. Being angry does not help your skin problem to go away but can result in even more stress, as you feel guilty about your actions afterwards.
Your Skin Needs Water
Water plumps up the skin from the inside! Our bodies are made up of 70% water, and we lose about 2 litres of water each day, so it is essential to replace that 2 litres to keep our skin healthy and hydrated.
Washing Clothes and Bedding
Always use a non biological soap powder or more skin kind brands. When the wash cycle is finished do a second rinse to ensure all residue of detergent is eliminated from clothes bedding and towels etc.
Skin Outbreaks
If experiencing an outbreak, try to keep calm, give yourself some space and time each day to care for your skin. Spoil yourself a little, do something that helps to relax after your skincare routine is completed.
Keep your body cool. Wear loose cotton clothing if possible, woollen clothing is an irritant to the skin, cotton clothing is kinder to the skin of eczema sufferers.
Make sure rooms are airy and well ventilated, especially the bedroom whilst sleeping.
During an outbreak do not soak in a bath more once or twice a week, rather take a quick shower or wash. Thoroughly soaking your skin in a bath daily can delay the skins natural recovery process. After bathing or showering gently pat your skin dry, never rub it harshly with the towel.
Moisture
Moisturising is a key factor in treating eczema as the skin becomes very dry and lacks the natural oily protective barrier. Building up and strengthening this protective barrier with a good daily skincare routine even when the skin is calm, helps to guard against major outbreaks in the future.
Pets
Pets such as cats and dogs often aggravate Eczema and Dermatitis. Try not to handle your pets during an outbreak, even if you normally are not allergic to them. If you cannot avoid touching them, cover your skin with gloves, long sleeves, trousers etc.
Children with Eczema
If your child suffers with a skin problem, try to keep calm don`t let the child pick up on the stress you are most probably feeling. Being calm around them is important, Try to make the time when applying moisture etc to their skin a fun time, singing songs or telling stories. This takes their mind off their problem and helps them to feel it is a normal routine.
If you have other children let them join in the skincare session too, this can be good for siblings, who may feel left out during these times.
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