5 Tips for Managing Eczema
1 in 10 Americans experience some form of eczema in their lifetime…
So why is it so hard to find products that work for such a common condition??
As many of you may know, I recently did a Breaking Through segment on FOX19 here in Cincinnati, sharing my journey into entrepreneurship and what led me to begin making my own products. As I started receiving emails, phone calls and DMs about my company, one common denominator stood out to me. Each person that I spoke with seemed to be struggling (or knew someone who was struggling) with eczema. And in each of these situations, they were desperate to find something that would actually work to soothe the condition.
Obviously, I know what my products can do. I did the research, read tons of articles, and received the heartfelt testimonials. But it dawned on me, I had not made it clear without a doubt just how effective Shea Butter is for such a common skin condition!
So, in this article I wish to explore some tips for managing eczema. First, I want to say, I AM NOT a licensed healthcare professional. I AM NOT an esthetician. I’m just a Black woman with dry skin who created what I could not find in the stores. And it so happens that my products are made from a natural material that is scientifically proven to be effective at healing skin conditions such as eczema, acne, psoriasis, and others. That said, everyone’s skin is different. Everyone’s needs and triggers are different. We live in different climates with different diets. With all these variables, there’s no way for me to personally guarantee what I’m about to share will work for you. These are just some basic things you can do to make living with eczema a little less annoying.
KEEP A JOURNAL. Keep track of your breakouts. Note the date, what the weather was like, what clothes you wore, what foods you ate, where the breakout occurred, how it presented. Was it red and puffy? Was it more of a scaly dry patch? Were there small raised bumps or did it just feel rough to the touch? As you do this, you will begin to pick up on patterns. Those patterns will give you insight into your potential triggers. Knowing what is causing the breakouts will allow you to make choices that lessen your chances of experiencing them.
AVOID HARSH, DRYING SOAPS AND DETERGENTS. Certain soaps, bubble baths, laundry detergents and even fabric softeners may be irritating your skin. It can be hard to pinpoint exactly what may be breaking you out, but one way to do this is to fall back from heavily scented products and go with ones that are made for sensitive skin. Once your skin has calmed back down, you can begin to reintroduce your favorite products one at a time. Maybe you start back using that detergent for a week and see if you become irritated again. If so, then you know that was the culprit. Get ‘em outta there!
KEEP YOUR HANDS AND NAILS CLEAN. I know, this seems like a no-brainer and you’re probably wondering what the connection is here. But eczema can be extremely itchy and it soothes us (temporarily) to scratch that itch!! But, if we’re not careful we can cause our skin to tear by deep scratching. And if our hands are not properly washed, fingernails are not trimmed and clean, we may transfer germs that could cause infection and further irritation of the area. Not to mention those areas that have been damaged by scratching may grow thick scar tissue that can cause darkening and become a thick leathery layer. Once you’ve reached that point, there isn’t much you can easily do to reverse it.
USE DEEP MOISTURIZERS AND PROTECTANTS SUCH AS SHEA BUTTER. (Shameless plug because you are of course on my website… lol!!) Eczema is an inflammatory condition. Meaning the skin has become irritated and inflamed. No matter the cause, the number one thing to do to provide immediate relief is to hydrate the skin and give it a protective layer, allowing it the chance to recover. Shea Butter is naturally anti-inflammatory, packed with vitamins and antioxidants. And without clogging your pores, it is a wonderful sealant for the skin. It will take the inflammation down and help to relieve the irritated area. Our Hand-whipped Shea Butter works wonderfully for eczema and after using the product consistently for around a few days to a week, most people begin to notice their skin healing itself and the number of outbreaks lessening.
Lastly, SEE A LICENSED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. They of course would be able to help you identify your possible triggers and recommend medications or lifestyle changes that could be made to lessen your outbreaks. They can also share insight regarding your diet and eating habits that may be causing flare ups. Take that journal we mentioned earlier to your appointment as well as any questions you may need answered so that you and your doctor can work together on an effective plan for managing your eczema.
I’d love to hear from you all regarding your journey with eczema. And if you have any tips you’d like to share, please feel free to comment, email or text us at 443-272-5326 so we can update our community with additional information!
And of course click the “SHOP NOW” button at the top of our home page to view our collection and grab something to soothe your skin during this cold, dry season!