I’ve had eczema for as long as I can remember, and I’ll be the first to tell you that it sucks.
My skin has given me red, uncomfortable itchy trouble for years, and it was exceptionally bad when I was a kid. A lot of my elementary school memories feature wearing long sleeves in the summertime and being asked by my peers if my condition was contagious.
When I was 10 years old my pediatrician put me on steroids and had me wear wet pajamas to bed. Wet pajamas. My mother would soak them in the bathtub and then slap them on my poor, inflamed body. I mean don’t get me wrong, it worked, but I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.
As I am sure you can guess, I am not a dermatologist. I am not a medical professional of any kind. However, having spent my whole life with this infuriating skin condition, I do have a few eczema tips up my sleeve. They have worked for me personally, and maybe they can be of use to you!
- No scented lotions
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I recommend skipping Bath & Body Works. Smelling like Japanese Cherry Blossom or Warm Vanilla Sugar is fun in theory, but scented lotions are likely to trigger your eczema.
I have found unscented lotions like Eucerin and CeraVe to be quite helpful, and I use Exederm and Cortizone for more intense flare-ups.
- Apply lotion and cover it with a bandage
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For a patch that is really bothering you, try applying your lotion of choice to it and then covering the area with a bandage or gauze. This protects the skin and keeps it hydrated for longer. It is especially helpful if the patch is painful.
- Invest in a humidifier
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When I got to school last year and experienced winter in a dorm for the first time, my skin totally freaked out.
Eczema is already likely to flare up in the colder months, but pairing that with stuffy, dry dorm air and heating was less than ideal. If the air in your home is dry, it could be triggering your eczema. Humidifiers are available at places like CVS, and they can make a big difference.
- avoid scalding showers
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I am not insisting that you take cold showers, but not boiling yourself like a lobster is probably the way to go. Hot water can be very drying, especially if you are already in the middle of a flare-up.
- find ANXIETY-RELIEVING methods that work for you
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If you’re anything like me, your eczema worsens during periods of anxiety. If you notice that your skin is flaring up in response to various stressors, take some time for yourself! Identify your needs and what action you can take to find relief.
- take time to process any feelings of insecurity about your skin
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Sometimes my eczema flares up before and during my period, especially on my face. When this happens it is hard to feel good about myself, seeing as I’m already bleeding, cramping and bloated, and now I have to deal with my skin acting up!
This is no fault of your own and it is okay to be upset about your discomfort.
Eczema is annoying but you are sexy regardless. Until someone has walked a mile in your wet pajamas they have absolutely no room to pass judgment on you or your skin. And as the weather continues to get colder, I hope you are able to stay healthy, happy and hydrated!