What Is Eczema? Let's Get Back to Basics
Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is a condition in which the skin becomes red, itchy, and inflamed. Sound familiar? We’ve discussed this skin condition a lot, and for good reason! Eczema is a common hereditary skin condition in which your skin is unable to protect itself from changes in your environments, leading to dry, itchy, and flaky skin. It often develops during early childhood and occurs periodically. As the National Eczema Association points out, there are eight different types of eczema, but atopic dermatitis is considered to be the most common.
We’re going back to basics on this article to help shine a light on the why’s and proper way of handling your eczema. Sometimes we forget how simple a problem can be fixed!
What Are the Symptoms?
Since eczema is caused by an overreaction of the nervous system, specific triggers can vary by person. Eczema is characterized by a distinctive red rash, most commonly found on the skin of the arms or behind the knees. While these are the most typical sites, eczema can also occur anywhere on the body. Eczema rashes tend to be red and inflamed and are often coupled with a dry, scaly texture. The rashes are also usually itchy and may be accompanied by skin sensitivity or swelling.
What Causes Eczema?
While it varies by individual, common triggers include the chemicals found in many household cleaning products, certain kinds of soap, dust, animal dander, and environmental pollutants. Interestingly enough, the American Academy of Dermatology has also noted that eczema varies by geographical location and is more common in cities (especially heavily polluted areas), as well as in northern regions. Although a common misconception, eczema is not a contagious condition.
How Is It Treated?
Depending on the severity of the condition, solutions can range from prescription medications to topical over-the-counter treatments to natural remedies like skin care products, improved skin hydration through manuka honey, and phototherapy (aka light therapy). To alleviate eczema symptoms at home, take lukewarm showers instead of hot showers, and decrease the time spent in the shower for 10 to 15 minutes. Also avoid certain types of soaps, especially those with fragrances, as it can irritate and trigger eczema outbreaks faster.
What Can Actually Help My Eczema?
This is where it gets simple. If eczema is a skin condition, what should you be concentrating on? Your skin! Your skin care routine is as important as all the different ways to avoid triggering your eczema. If you’re using drugstore brand lotions, shampoo, and face cream, you might be making it worse. How?
Most products contain ingredients you shouldn’t be using on eczema-prone skin! Preservatives, mineral oil, petroleum jelly, fragrance…all of these can exacerbate outbreaks and cause your skin to become drier. This is something a lot of people aren’t aware of, as there are so many eczema specific products, mainly lotions, with colloidal oatmeal, mineral oil, and petroleum jelly as a solution for eczema.
Turn to natural instead, where you can find all the relief from your itchy outbreaks right from the Earth. Manuka honey is well on its way for treating eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea, and has more benefits than any other ingredient you can use for your skin! Turn your sights on switching out your current skin care products for ones with manuka honey and you’ll be floored by the results you get.
At Wild Naturals, we knew the boundless benefits of manuka honey, as well as other powerhouse natural ingredients, such as:
- Coconut Oil
- Shea Butter
- Aloe Vera
- Cehami Flower Extract
- Hemp Seed Oil
- Carrot Seed Oil
When you look into these ingredients and what they can accomplish for a vast amount of skin concerns (think inflammation, uneven skin tone, anti-aging, repairing skin/scars) and you’ll be rushing to click “Add to Cart” in no time!
Shop the Wild Naturals online store today and discover the power of our Eczema & Psoriasis skin care line, and finally get on top of your skin woes!
