7 mistakes to absolutely avoid in case of eczema!
Eczema affects many people: it is the most common skin condition after acne! When suffering from it, our patience sometimes reaches its limits. Indeed, between the unsightly red patches and the itching that drives us mad, we are tempted to try anything and everything to calm them. Stop! There are mistakes to absolutely avoid when dealing with eczema!
In fact, some errors that we think are helpful will only make our condition worse. Discover in this article the 5 mistakes to absolutely avoid when you have eczema.
1) Washing your hands without care
When we have eczema on our hands, especially when it is in a "weeping" phase (lesions oozing fluid), we are tempted to wash them often.
Moreover, during a health crisis, frequent hand washing is advised. However, if you suffer from eczema, washing your hands very often can worsen the symptoms. It is therefore important to make the washing as gentle as possible.
First, use a "soap-free" cleanser, suitable for sensitive skin (rich, fragrance-free, without harmful ingredients). Standard soaps are quite harsh and may irritate your skin while worsening eczema.
Second, the water should be at 37°-38°C maximum, as heat promotes inflammation.
Then, when drying your hands, avoid rubbing them too much with the towel. Pat gently, and ideally, use a soft towel (no rough old towels!).
Finally, make sure to nourish your skin after each wash, with an organic vegetable oil or a cream specially made for sensitive skin.
2) Scratching all day long
Ah, the itching! It can be unbearable and hard to control. Yet, it is important to avoid it as much as possible, because it can cause wounds that become infected, which worsens eczema!
We advise you to keep busy as much as possible to avoid thinking about it, and to keep your nails short to prevent injuries. You can also use an ice cube on the itchy area when it becomes unbearable.
Cold dulls sensations, which will instantly reduce the itch.
3) Wearing latex gloves
Some choose to wear latex gloves to hide the patches or to protect them during dishwashing or cleaning. However, this is a mistake!
Indeed, latex encourages sweating of the hands and skin maceration. This can worsen eczema, which thrives in moisture and warmth. Conclusion: forget latex gloves!
4) Using essential oils without expert advice
Essential oils are indeed natural and have many virtues. Some can even be effective against eczema, but it is important to get informed before using them.
They can already prove to be allergy-causing.
We therefore advise you to consult an expert before purchase, and always test them on a small area at least 48 hours before application. Then, do not use them pure; dilute them in vegetable oil (1 to 2 drops in a level teaspoon of oil). Use them with restraint!
If in doubt, we suggest using floral waters instead. They are less concentrated than essential oils but retain some effectiveness, and above all, they are much better tolerated. Chamomile or lavender floral water can soothe the skin during flare-ups.
Click here to discover our Damask rose floral water, soothing and moisturizing.
5) Taking baths more than once a week
Baths relax and soothe the skin in the short term. Oat baths are even recommended for deep skin rehydration and instant relief of itching.
However, like hand washing, certain rules must be followed: do not bathe too often, use very mild shower gels specially made for sensitive skin, keep the water temperature below 35°C, and dry gently with a soft towel.
Before the bath, we advise you to coat yourself with vegetable oil or our magic spray (click here to discover it). This will protect your skin from the water’s lime and irritation caused by soap.
Do not linger in the bath; 10 minutes is enough. Then, do not forget to rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue.
Finally, always make sure to nourish your skin after the bath to keep it protected all day long.
6) Using cosmetics without checking their ingredients
When our best friend assures us she has tried a great cream that makes her skin soft, we jump at the chance. Maybe it will also work wonders on our skin, on which nothing else works?
Or that saleswoman who swears her cream soothed her redness... Without paying attention to details, we buy the product and apply it generously on our skin. Then disaster strikes.
Big mistake: always choose products recommended for sensitive skin and ideally with a natural composition!
Skin with eczema is very fickle. Just because a cream worked wonders on someone else does not mean it will suit you.
Always check the ingredients of your cosmetics: avoid all that contain perfume, controversial molecules, and allergy-causing substances.
We strongly recommend 100% natural and organic products (ideally with little or no essential oils). This is what the Olie Neela cosmetics (click here to discover them) offer!
7) Feeling guilty
Finally, above all, do not feel guilty if you do not yet see improvement in your eczema. This illness is complex and usually treated over time. Several factors are involved: diet, heredity, environment (pollution, climate, presence of allergens), and the mind.
The latter plays a crucial role in eczema treatment. Indeed, and this is well known, stress worsens the symptoms. Instead of feeling guilty, do yourself good whenever possible! Practice calming activities, your favorite sport, walks, meditation, etc.
For more advice, follow our complete guide to regain control over eczema.