Eczema

Eczema describes a wider range of skin conditions typified by chronic, relapsing flares of inflamed, itchy, red and peeling skin, over a background of dry, sensitive and rough skin. Once again, avoiding individual triggers such as cold and dry weather, skin irritants (strong soaps, detergents), chemicals (hair dye, paint), house dust mites, pet fur, pollen and moulds, and specific food allergens are key to the control of eczema. Identifying the trigger with your physician and lifestyle modifications such as regularly cleaning and sun drying bed linen and clothes, using hypoallergenic detergent, wearing gloves and avoiding food you are allergic to can help reduce the frequency and severity of flares. Flares should be controlled quickly using specialised creams (steroids, immunomodulators) prescribed by your physician covered with emollients (moisturisers), while vascular lasers such as yellow lasers can be considered in severe cases. In between flares, it is crucial to sun protect, keep the skin healthy and hydrated with moisturisers containing specific ingredients that help soothe sensitive skin, as well as skincare containing ingredients such as ceramides, that help provide and restore the skin’s protective barrier, in order to allow the skin to repair and recover.