Establish a Daily Skin Care Routine

When you have eczema, you should plan to bathe at least once a day. This helps remove debris and other harmful irritants. Just make sure you use lukewarm water and a gentle soap. Pat your skin dry, and apply a moisturizer while your skin is still moist from the bath or shower.

You should also plan to apply moisturizer regularly. This can help you address dryness and itchiness while also restoring your skin barrier. Choose moisturizers without fragrances or dyes and apply them liberally.

Utilize Itch-Relieving Strategies

One of the most debilitating aspects of eczema is the incessant itching. Not only can it keep you up at night, but it also can affect your quality of life and impact your mental health. That’s why it’s so important to have strategies for addressing itching that accompanies eczema.

If you’re experiencing a great deal of itchiness due to eczema, try applying a cold compress. This may reduce the itch’s intensity. You can also try pinching and patting your skin instead of scratching. Here are some other strategies to try:

• Wrap a wet, cotton dressing around the affected area.
• Soak in a colloidal oatmeal bath.
• Wear soft natural clothing when possible, especially 100-percent cotton.
• Use a humidifier at night to create a humid sleeping environment.
• Wear cotton gloves while sleeping to prevent scratching.

Avoid Triggers

If you have eczema, you may have noticed that there are certain things in your environment that can trigger a flare, or cause your eczema to erupt or get worse. Identifying which things affect you may take some time, but here are some common eczema triggers:

• Certain fabrics like wool or synthetic fibers
• Pet dander
• Insect bites
• Allergens like pollen or mold
• Cigarette smoke
• Certain metals like nickel or copper
• Fragrances or perfumes
• Changes in weather, like extreme heat or cold
• Stress or anxiety

Manage Stress

Stress and eczema often exist in a vicious cycle. Stress can make eczema worse, while having an active eczema flare can be extremely stressful. But the link between the two isn’t fully understood.

What researchers do know is that stress causes the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Stress can also exacerbate inflammation by causing your body to produce inflammatory cytokines (chemical messengers), which can worsen eczema.

Stress can even activate itch nerve fibers that can lead to more itching and scratching. That’s why it’s so important to know how to manage stress and reduce your body’s response to distressing situations. Here are some relaxation techniques you can try:

• Practice deep breathing and mindful meditation.
• Interact with or cuddle your pet.
• Journal your thoughts and feelings.
• Enroll in tai chi or yoga.
• Set aside time daily to read for enjoyment.
• Spend time in nature.
• Do something creative like knit, paint, draw, or bake.

Eat a Nutritious Diet

Generally speaking, there isn’t an eczema diet. Instead, you should focus on eating nutritious food that provides your body with nutrients it needs. This also means limiting processed and sugary foods that can heighten inflammation in your body.

If you think that certain foods are making your eczema worse, talk to an allergist or your primary care physician. They can help you identify food allergies and food sensitivities. You don’t want to eliminate foods from your diet unless you have to. Doing so could increase your risk of allergies.

Follow Your Treatment Plan

Because eczema is different for each person, treatment plans can vary as well. Some people are treated with topical steroids while others may need to take anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroids, and antihistamines to manage eczema.

Others may take immunosuppressant drugs, or drugs that suppress the immune system. Sometimes people use light therapy to manage their condition. The key is to follow your recommended treatment plan and let them know when something isn’t working.

You can also talk to your healthcare provider about hormone therapy, though there’s limited evidence that this will directly affect your eczema flares. Instead, it’s designed to regulate your hormones and isn’t considered part of an eczema treatment plan.