7 Ways to Manage your Eczema this Winter

When people think about allergies they often think about spring when the pollen count is high enough that you’ll be sneezing enough and developing severe rashes, which will keep you from getting out of the house. But wintertime is also a season worth noting if you have allergies especially if its eczema because this is the time when your condition could easily flare up and keep you bedridden while your neighbours are skiing at the local ski resort.

So if you want to enjoy the snow and chilly air of winter follow these seven tips to make sure that your eczema won’t flare up.

Use moisturizers regularly

Eczema can make your skin dry so to counteract this you should always moisturize your skin. But don’t just use any cream. Look for moisturizers with hydrocortisone or hydrocortisone acetate. Also, petroleum jelly is a good ointment to keep your skin moisturized.

Use moisturizing soaps

When taking a shower or a bath use only soaps that were designed to moisturize your skin. Don’t buy scented soaps because they have too many chemicals in them that can wreak havoc on your skin.

But don’t stop there. When you’re washing your clothes make sure that the detergent you’re using is hypoallergenic and has minimal chemicals in it. Strong detergents can leave lots of residue on your clothes so avoid those soaps and make sure to rinse your clothes well to get rid of any residue. Experts say that the best kind of soaps to clean your clothes is soap nuts because they’re organic and free from harsh chemicals.

Be gentle on your skin when taking a bath

When it’s winter we try our best to stay warm to stave off the cold. We fire up the fireplace or turn up the thermostat and we bundle ourselves in thick sweaters just to stay warm. We also like to use hot water for our baths but if you have eczema this is the worst thing you can do for your skin. Eczema makes our skin dry and the last thing we should be doing is drying it further by submerging it in hot water.

Instead, use only warm water and try not to take too many showers. Constantly taking baths and showers can dry your skin further aggravating your eczema. Also, if you’re going to take a bath put some moisturizers like oatmeal moisturizers in the water. And try to limit your time in the bath; don’t soak in it for too long otherwise you’ll trigger your eczema and itch severely.

After you take a bath or shower put on some moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. And when you’re about to dry yourself up do not rub the towel over your skin because it will aggravate your eczema. Instead, pat yourself down dry. This way your skin won’t itch.

Stay hydrated

It’s important to stay hydrated during winter even though it’s one of the seasons when you don’t feel too thirsty. Staying hydrated can keep your eczema at bay so be sure to drink lots of water this wintertime.

Wear organic cotton

Winter is a tempting time to cover yourself up with as many clothes you can muster but be careful with the type of fabric that touches your skin. Wool, nylon and synthetic fabrics can worsen your eczema. Also, most fabrics have chemicals in them that can trigger your eczema so best to stay away from them.

Instead, try wearing organic cotton to keep you warm. And it cannot be overstated that you should wear organic cotton and no other kind of cotton clothes. Traditionally cultivated cotton fabric have so many chemicals in it because cotton crops are one of the most infested crops in the world so farmers often use harsh pesticides to keep their crops free from pests. But with organic cotton no chemicals were used to cultivate these crops so they’re the safest fabric for your sensitive skin.

Lastly, try not to wear too many layers of clothes because too much heat can trigger your eczema.

Use a humidifier with your heater

Of course you’re going to use your heater this winter. Not all houses have a fireplace and even if you have one it’s not plausible to warm up the whole house with just one fireplace. So chances are you’ll use your heater to warm up your home but be reminded that hot air will get rid of the moisture in your house, which can trigger your eczema. So when you use your heater use your humidifier as well to bring back the moisture in the air and keep your skin hydrated.

Vitamin D can prevent flare ups

Vitamin D, according to scientists, has been able to prevent any flare ups from people with eczema. You can either take vitamin D supplements or use ultraviolet light to prevent your eczema from getting triggered. If you follow these suggestions wintertime will no longer be a season where you’ll have to spend majority of it inside your house.

Rather, you’ll get to enjoy it like everyone else and you might even get to use that old sled you’ve been keeping in the storeroom for so many years. Happy sledding!