Eczema is an extremely common condition, the lifetime prevalence of which is as high as 30% in children and 10% in adults. If you have eczema, you know it’s a constant battle to determine your triggers and avoid flare-ups, especially at certain times of the year. Spring is one of these.
Colorado Skin Care offers a number of treatments for dermatological woes like eczema. But Kimberly Stone, MD, wants you to know that there are ways you can prevent flare-ups, and this type of preventative care can be some of the best medicine there is.
It’s common to notice more of the telltale symptoms of an eczema outbreak — like sensitivity, itching, swelling, and inflamed or scaly skin — during the spring. But why does this happen?
For one, people tend to be outdoors more as the weather heats up. This means they’re more likely to be exposed to irritants in the air as well as to experience drier skin in the heat. However, if you choose to stay inside, you may be running your AC unit around this time, which can also irritate the skin.
We offer a number of treatments at Colorado Skin Care from antihistamines to topical corticosteroids to prescription immunosuppressants. But we believe there are ways to prevent flare-ups with the minimum amount of medications. Here are a few tips and tricks.
We know you must be excited to get out in the world and enjoy the warmer days and nights. But we highly recommend moisturizing whenever you can to avoid dry skin. Being out in the heat can dry out your skin even more, so make sure you keep it hydrated with gentle, unscented lotions.
Especially now, when you’re bound to sweat more, try wearing breathable, looser-fitting clothes, so the fabric won’t rub and irritate your skin. This also allows air to flow through your clothes and to your skin so you don’t create friction from wearing tight, sweaty clothes.
Another tip to keep your skin hydrated is to take shorter showers that are lukewarm or cooler. If you’re used to taking long, hot showers, we understand the draw, but unfortunately, these dry out your skin even more. During this time of more excessive flare-ups, it’s better to avoid them.
While spring is a common time for flare-ups, not everyone has the same triggers. For you, it might be smoke, pet dander, and certain foods, while, for another person, the increase in temperature could be the main culprit. If you begin to notice where and when flare-ups occur, you can fill in the why and actively steer clear of the things that cause them.
Did we say keeping your skin hydrated is key? Well, here’s another way to do it! Using a humidifier can help moisturize your skin even when you’re doing other things. It can also combat the constant running of your AC. Make sure you keep the humidifier clean as well.
You’d be surprised how much of your health (even flare-ups on your skin) comes down to a few important concepts: sleep, exercise, and diet. If you make sure to keep these routines on the right track, you’ll be able to more easily keep flare-ups at bay.
Stress can actually be one of the key factors for eczema flare-ups, and the spring — with graduations, getting ready for summer vacations, and more — can be a stressful time. Whether you choose mindfulness meditation, laugh therapy, or something else, do as much as you can to manage stress during this time.
In fact, you can avoid these uncomfortable breakouts and keep your skin feeling and looking its best.
To get more information on how to treat eczema, just visit us at our Englewood, Colorado, office. Call 303-740-4883, or book online at your convenience.