What is eczema?
“Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin disease that results in dry skin and recurrent red, itchy and inflamed rashes,” Aegean H. Chan, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist at California Dermatology Group, told the Post.
As one approaches adulthood, “atopic dermatitis looks like dry, thickened, scaly skin,” Lian Mack, MD, FAAD, medical director and founder of Gramercy and Scarsdale Laser and Medical Dermatology, told the Post. “Common triggers include ingestion of specific foods, use of irritating soaps or detergents, wool clothing and jewelry.”
What ingredients are best to help treat eczema?
Eczema is a clinical “dysfunction of the skin barrier,” Dr. Libby notes. As such, genetic, environmental, and immunologic factors contribute to its flare-up, but it’s a priority to repair the skin barrier. Namely, ingredients to help reverse eczematic effects are humectants, emollients and occlusive moisturizers.
According to Dr. Libby, humectants help add moisture back to the skin, while emollients add back oils, lubricating and softening the skin. Occlusive moisturizers work to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
“Common humectants are glycerin, lactic acid, urea and hyaluronic acid,” Dr. Libby adds. “Emollients examples are glycol and glyceryl stearate, soy sterols, squalane, and oils like jojoba, sweet almond, etc. Common occlusives are petrolatum, dimethicone, shea butter and mineral oil.”
What products should I avoid if I have eczema?
You should avoid any ingredients that you have a known allergy to and anything that has irritated your skin previously,” Dr. Chan said. “Common products that can do this are acne products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. I also would avoid high percentage AHAs.”
Be sure to note that developing a skin allergy is higher when you have atopic dermatitis, so avoiding fragrance when you can is a good idea, especially during an active flare.
Is there a way to prevent eczema?
“You can prevent eczema by avoiding triggers, for some, skin irritants like dry heat, wool, harsh soaps, fabric softeners and sweating may lead to flares,” Dr. Libby said.
Dilute bleach baths — using a quarter cup of bleach in a half tub of water and thoroughly mixing is also a mainstay of eczema prevention and treatment, as they have been found to reduce eczema symptoms by reducing bacterial load and inflammation on the skin,” she adds.