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In some circumstances you can calm your eczema symptoms by making small amendments to your diet?
Change your diet to help control eczemaBathing or showering with eczema can be tricky and you may find that after a nice soak your eczema has worsened. It is essential to incorporate a good skincare routine into your daily practice especially if you suffer from eczema, as proper skincare can help control the condition. Read our top five tips on how to have the perfect soak for eczema prone skin…
The reason for dry skin is due to the fact that your skin struggles to retain water. Whenever the water content in your skin cells falls below 10% this results in dry, irritated skin.
“Eczema is a chronic recurring skin disorder that results in dry, easily irritated, itchy skin. There is no cure for eczema, but good daily skin care is essential to controlling the disease.” – (National Eczema Association, 2013)
There are many ways to reduce the risk of an eczema flare-up after washing, so we have finalised the top 5 tips that can help you keep your eczema under control during your tub time.
When figuring out the perfect way to wash with eczema you may want to start by reconsidering the temperature of the water you use.
Very hot water, although relaxing for some, can have a negative effect on your skin. Using hot water for an extended period of time will actually strip your skin of its protective oils and fats. Without your protective oils your skin barrier becomes weaker making it harder for your skin to retain water, a leading cause for eczema flare-ups.
Try opting for warmer waters when showering or bathing, as this way you can still enjoy a relaxing wash but without the subsequent dry skin.
Another reason you may be experiencing dry skin after a bath or shower is due to the length of time you are spending in water. Although spending time in a bath or shower is one way to help your eczema by getting moisture back into your skin, if you stay too long this will have a counter effect on your skin’s moisture.
This is because whenever water comes into contact with skin, the water evaporates and takes the protective oils away in the process, resulting in drier skin.
Constant contact with water also has this impact on the skin barrier, so it is a good idea to limit your time in the bath or shower to around 10 – 15 minutes. This length of time will give your skin enough time to absorb the water it needs, but won’t strip away the skin barrier.
It is also important to note exactly what you are putting on your skin during your shower or bath.
For example, something such as shampooing your hair can cause eczema flare-ups. Although the shampoo is applied to the hair, when you rinse, the bubbles flow down the rest of your body and can cause irritation for your eczema prone areas.
Now, we aren’t suggesting that you cut out shampooing all together and run the risk of unclean hair, but try buying shampoos that do not have harsh chemicals, such as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. Neem shampoo offers soothing protection when washing hair for those with various skin problems.
Take care also when washing your body with soaps, as covering your skin in potentially toxic ingredients can affect your skin’s ability to breath, causing further flare-ups. Try using gentle soaps which have emollients as they can be used to help replace the skin’s natural oils.
The final step when providing your body with proper hydration is to moisturise. The best type of moisturiser is a gentle and natural one, such as soothing Neem cream, which helps relieve dry, irritated and eczema prone skin.
Tip: When using a moisturising product from a large jar, instead of scooping it out with your hand, get a spoon and take the moisturiser out that way. This reduces the risk of contamination and more eczema flare-ups.
Get creative; change things up in the bathroom.
Instead of just sticking with plain water you might like to try one of these types of baths to help relieve your symptoms:
There are some cardinal rules when it comes to washing with eczema and following this advice can make a difference to your skin.
Our Neem beauty range is 100% vegetarian; we do not test on animals.
Neem is suitable for those prone to eczema flare-ups and sensitive skin , so take some time for yourself and enjoy your tub time!
In some circumstances you can calm your eczema symptoms by making small amendments to your diet?
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