Eczema

What is Eczema?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, eczema is a skin condition that can cause red bumps, oozing skin, and itchy skin. Eczema is not contagious. Doctors don’t really know why some people get eczema, and others don’t.

 

Eczema is an immune system response. As your body is exposed to irritants, the immune system goes into overdrive. The result is the skin overreacting to something and causes patches of eczema to appear.

 

Eczema and psoriasis are not the same thing. For more information about psoriasis, click here.

  

Signs of Eczema

Any area of the skin can become affected by eczema, although it most commonly appears on the face, neck, scalp, hands, and legs in the form of:

• Red, brown, or gray colored patches
• Itching skin
• Dry skin
• Thickened skin
• Cracked skin
• Scaly skin
• Skin that burns
• Blistering
• Oozing lesions
• Small raised bumps
• Raw skin
• Sensitive skin
• Crusting
• Scabs
• Leather-like areas
• Inflammation

 

 

What Causes Eczema?

The exact cause of eczema is unknown. Some known triggers are:

• Soap
• Detergents
• Solvents
• Clothing
• Sweat
• Changes in temperature
• Changes in humidity
• Stress
• Dry air
• Sand
• Prolonged hot showers or baths
• Cigarette smoke
• Dust
• Dust mites
• Grass
• Pollen
• Trees
• Animal fur and dander
• Feathers
• Latex
• Food allergens
• Hard water
• Washing skin too much
• Genetic factors

 

 

Types of Eczema

There are different types of eczema:

Type	What it is
Atopic dermatitis	This is the most common type of eczema. “Atopic” is a word that means your body, and in this case your skin, overreacts to something. It starts off as very itchy, which results in the skin becoming red and flaky.
Contact dermatitis	Things you touch or come into contact with such as skin care, hair care, makeup, personal care products and perfume cause this condition. Skin will be itchy, painful, or swollen. It looks like a rash or burn.
Dyshidrotic Dermatitis	This is most commonly found on the hands or feet. It usually starts with itching but can also cause small fluid-filled blisters.
Nummular Dermatitis	This type of eczema most often occurs in men in their 50s or older.  It can appear as round or oval-shaped rashes on the skin that can itch or burn.
Seborrheic Dermatitis	This type of eczema is commonly known as dandruff and most often appears on the scalp and eyebrows. It causes scaly, itchy, flaky, red skin. It is similar to dandruff.
Stasis Dermatitis	This is when the veins have problems sending blood from the legs to the heart. It can cause skin crusting and hyperpigmentation.

 

 

Managing Eczema

There are several ways people with eczema can live normal lives with proper care and attention:

 

Moisturizing

• Moisturize skin immediately when itching begins.
• Moisturizing your entire body immediately after showering or bathing while skin is still damp.
• Moisturize at least three times a day.
• Avoid moisturizers with fragrances.
• Spot test skin first when trying out a new sunscreen. It is believed some sunscreens can worsen eczema.
• Apply a topical antibiotic ointment if skin becomes cracked to prevent infection.
• Avoid moisturizers with chemicals or additives that can irritate the skin.
• Thicker products such as ointments and creams are known to provide the most relief.
• See a doctor for a prescription strength ointment or cream

 

Controlling Scratching

• Keep fingernails trimmed short to avoid skin damage or infection from scratching.
• Wear gloves or socks made of cotton while sleeping. Some people unknowingly scratch themselves in their sleep.
• Keep hands busy doing other activities.
• Take an over the counter oral antihistamine before bed to help you sleep through the night to avoid scratching.
• Be sure to shower immediately after swimming to remove chemicals from your skin.

 

Clothing And Fabrics

• Wear loose-fitting, open-weave, breathable clothing.
• Cotton or cotton-blend clothing and bedding are the best choices.
• Avoid wool clothing or bedding.
• Avoid polyester.
• Remove tags on clothing.
• Use protective bedding covers with an allergen barrier to protect against allergens.
• Avoid wool carpets.

 

Soaps And Laundry

• Wash new clothing before wearing them. Skin irritating chemicals are usually present on new clothing.
• Use fragrance-free, dry-free, liquid detergents.
• Use a second rinse cycle to remove any remaining detergent.
• Use hypoallergenic soaps on the face.
• Avoid shampoos and conditioners with added fragrances.
• Do not use antibacterial soaps.
• Stay away from hand sanitizers if you have eczema on your hands.
• Skip fabric softener.

 

Temperature

• Try to remain in a comfortable temperature.
• Wear loose-fitting and breathable clothing in hot temperatures and while working out.
• Shower or bath with lukewarm water.
• Stay out of hot tubs and steam rooms. Hot water is especially drying.
• Get 10-15 minutes of direct sunlight each day. Minimal sunlight actually helps some people because some cases of eczema are related to Vitamin D deficiency.
• Use a cool mist humidifier at home in the winter months.

 

 

Hylunia Eczema Ritual

Ritual Step	Purpose	Hylunia Product
Step 1:	Cleanse	Hyaluronic Cleansing Cream or Facial Cleansing Lotion
Step 2:	Tone	Neroli Mist or Colloidal Silver Mist
Step 3:	Moisturize	Moisture Infusion Hyaluronic Oil-Free Moisturizer
Weekly Ritual:	Infusing Mask	Hyaluronic Cream Mask
Body	Wash	Hydrate Body Wash
Body	Body	Healing & Restoring Cream
Body	Exfoliate	Grape Seed Scrub for Body
Kit	System Starter	Eczema Treatment System
Kit	System Starter	Dry Feet Treatment System

 

 

Ingredients that Help Eczema

Shea Butter

Glycerin

Dimethicone

Hyaluronic Acid

Apricot Kernel

Evening Primrose

German Chamomile

Neroli Flower Water

 

Ingredients that Trigger Eczema

Avoid the ingredients linked to eczema:

• Lanolin
• Fragrance
• Alpha hydroxyl acids
• Salicylic acid
• Sodium Laurel Sulfate
• Propylene Glycol
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)
• Methylisothiazolinone (MI)
• Benzoic acid
• Sorbic acid
• Lactic acid
• Formaldehyde
• Methyldibromo glutaronitrile
• Benzoyl perioxide
• Urea
• Mica
• Silica
• Bismuth oxychloride
• Polyethylene beads
• quaternium-15
• 2 bromo 1-3 nitropropane diol
• Diazolidinyl urea
• Imidazolidinyl urea
• DMDM hydantoin
• Low-molecular weight glycols
• (in high concentration levels)
• Hydroxyl acids retinoids
• Ethanol
• Volatile propellants
• Colognes
• Herb extracts
• Masking fragrance
• Perfume
• D and C yellow #11
• F, D and C blue #1
• F, D and C yellow #5 (tartrazine)