In this upcoming summer season, you will undoubtedly want to spend more time outdoors, sunbathing. But it can be difficult to fully enjoy your time outdoors if you are constantly worried about your eczema flare-up.
Dyshidrotic eczema, in particular, is prevalent in the spring, and if you experience small itchy blisters on your body, you may have this common form of eczema.
While eczema isn't necessarily curable (yet), it's definitely manageable, and the first step to getting better is learning all you can about what's going on with your body and taking the right steps to heal it.
What is eczema?
Eczema is the name given to a group of diseases that cause inflammation of the skin. It is also often called dermatitis. Eczema on the hands and other parts of the body is a chronic problem for many people, with an estimated 35 million in the United States alone. Seventy percent of those cases start in children younger than 5 years old.
When an eczema flare-up occurs, the skin becomes red, itchy, and swollen with fluid-filled bumps that sometimes ooze and crust over. Eczema is often caused by an allergic reaction, and it is not contagious. It can also be hereditary, but it is not curable. However, flare-ups are successfully managed with treatment.
There are several different types of eczema, and they all affect the body differently, one of the most common being dyshidrotic eczema.
What is dyshidrotic eczema?
Dyshidrotic eczema is a common type of eczema that causes small, intensely itchy blisters to form on the edges of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles of the feet.
Dyshidrotic eczema is associated with seasonal allergies, and because of this, blisters are more likely to erupt in the spring. These blisters can be very painful and can sometimes take weeks to clear up.
If you haven't heard of this type of eczema before, don't worry, it has a few other names, for example:
· Ponfólix.
· Vesicular palmoplantar eczema.
· Dyshidrosis
· Eczema of the feet and hands.
· Dyshidrotic dermatitis.
· Vesicular eczema.
Each type of eczema varies slightly in how it presents, so treatment varies slightly as well. So to know how to treat it, it is important to recognize your dyshidrotic eczema for what it is.
Symptoms of dyshidrotic eczema
All forms of eczema cause inflammation of the skin, however, each is different in its own way. Correctly identifying your dyshidrotic eczema is the first step to alleviating your symptoms. Common symptoms of this condition include:
· Blisters on the hands and feet (specifically on the edges of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles of the feet).
· Itch.
· Redness
· Peeling.
· Flaky and cracked skin
· Pain.
The DYSHIDROSIS is prone to infection, delaying the healing process. If you think this is the case for you, contact your healthcare provider immediately to seek advanced treatment.
What Causes Dyshidrotic Eczema?
Dyshidrotic eczema is twice as common in women as in men, and although it can occur in people of any age, it is most common in adults ages 20 to 40. People with contact dermatitis, atopic eczema, or hay fever are at increased risk of developing dyshidrotic eczema.
It is also hereditary, so if you have a close relative who has dyshidrotic eczema, this increases your chance of getting it.
How to treat dyshidrotic eczema on the hands
Unfortunately, dyshidrotic eczema is not curable, but in many cases, it is manageable with treatment. While there is no sure way to prevent breakouts from occurring, a good skin care regimen can help strengthen your skin against inflammation.
Conventional treatment
While most cases of dyshidrotic eczema can be managed with natural treatments that are less invasive to the body, severe cases are often remedied with dyshidrotic eczema treatment cream (eg, corticosteroid cream or ointment or an injection or prescription pill). Some other treatments include:
· Ultraviolet light treatments.
· Drainage of large blisters.
· Antihistamines.
· Various anti-itch creams.
· Immunosuppressive ointments, such as Protopic and Elidel.
Natural treatments for eczema
In general, keeping your skin clean and hydrated is one of the best ways to keep your eczema under control. The type of treatment you apply and how often you apply it will vary based on your symptoms, but this natural at-home approach will allow you to feel confident in your choices when it comes to something you put on your skin.
1. Cold compresses
Soaking the area where the breakout occurred as well as applying cold compresses for 15 minutes at a time will help reduce skin inflammation. Repeat this process two or four times during the day, followed by applying a moisturizer to the affected area for maximum effectiveness.
2. Aloe Vera
The aloe vera plant is known for its ability to soothe irritated skin. Not only that, but it will help speed up your healing process. To harness the power of aloe, cut off a piece of the plant and apply the thick gel to your inflamed skin. Alternatively, you can buy a bottle of natural aloe vera lotion at your local pharmacy.
3. Oats
The oats are often used to relieve skin conditions due to its anti - inflammatory properties. Applying oatmeal directly to irritated skin will help reduce eczema symptoms and make your skin feel fresh and healthy again.
This is how you can do it:
· Make a batch of oatmeal.
· Let it cool in the fridge for a few hours.
· Apply directly to the irritated area of the skin and allow it to dry.
· Gently rinse the oatmeal with cold water.
When it comes to eczema, it is important to know what type you have so that you can best treat it. You deserve to enjoy every ray of sunshine this summer, without the pain and embarrassment caused by your eczema flare-up. Learning as much as you can about what's going on inside your body will allow you to nip your eczema symptoms in the bud so that you can get back into sunlight.
If you have diabetes, you should focus on eating lean protein, high-fiber, less processed carbs, fruits, and vegetables, low-fat dairy, and healthy vegetable-based fats such as avocado, nuts, canola oil, or olive oil. You should also manage your carbohydrate intake. Have your doctor or dietitian provide you with a target carb number for meals and snacks. Generally, women should aim for about 45 grams of carb per meal while men should aim for 60. Ideally, these would come from complex carbs, fruits, and vegetables. X-Factor Diet System