7 mistakes to absolutely avoid in case of eczema!

Eczema affects many people: it is the most common skin condition after acne! When we suffer from it, our patience sometimes reaches its limits. Indeed, between the unsightly red patches and the itching that drives you crazy, we are tempted to try anything and everything to calm them down. Stop! There are mistakes to absolutely avoid in case of eczema!

Indeed, certain errors that we think are beneficial will only make our situation worse. Discover in this article the 5 mistakes to absolutely avoid when you have eczema.

1) Wash your hands without paying attention

When we have eczema on our hands, and more particularly when it is in an “oozing” phase (the lesions leak fluid), we are tempted to wash them often.

Especially since during a health crisis, frequent hand washing is recommended. However, if you have eczema, washing your hands very often can make symptoms worse. It is therefore important to ensure that washing is as least aggressive as possible.

First, use a “soap-free” soap , suitable for atopic skin (superfatted, fragrance-free, without harmful ingredients). Standard soaps are in fact rather aggressive and risk irritating your skin while aggravating eczema.

Second, the water should be at 37°-38°C maximum , as heat promotes inflammation.

Then, when you dry your hands, avoid rubbing them too much with the towel. Pat gently, and ideally, use a soft towel (no more old, scratchy towels!)

Finally, make sure to nourish your skin after each wash , with an organic vegetable oil or a special cream for atopic skin.

2) Scratching all day long

Ah, the itching ! They are sometimes hellish and it is difficult to control them. However, it is important to avoid them as much as possible, because they risk creating lesions that become infected, which makes eczema worse!

We advise you to keep yourself as busy as possible to avoid thinking about it, and to cut your nails short to avoid injury. You can also use an ice cube to apply to the itchy area when it becomes unbearable.

The cold inhibits sensations, which will instantly reduce the itch.

3) Wear latex gloves

Some people choose to wear latex gloves to hide the plaques, or to protect them when washing dishes or cleaning. However, this is a mistake!

Indeed, latex promotes perspiration of the hands and maceration of the skin. This therefore risks aggravating eczema which likes humidity and heat. Conclusion: forget about latex gloves!

4) Using essential oils without expert advice

Essential oils are certainly natural and have many virtues. Some may even be effective against eczema, but it is important to find out before using them.

Already, they can turn out to be allergenic .

We therefore advise you to contact an expert before your purchase, and to 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 sparingly !

If in doubt, we suggest using floral waters instead. They are less concentrated than essential oils but retain a certain effectiveness, and above all, they are much more tolerated. Chamomile or lavender floral water can soothe the skin during flare-ups.

Click here to discover our Damascus rose floral water , soothing and hydrating.

5) Take baths more than once a week

Bathing relaxes and soothes the skin in the short term. Oatmeal baths are also recommended for deep skin rehydration and instant relief from itching.

However, like washing your hands, you must respect certain rules: do not take baths too often, use extremely gentle shower gels especially for atopic skin, set the water temperature below 35°C, dry yourself gently with a soft towel.

Before bathing, we advise you to coat yourself with vegetable oil or our magic spray (click here to find out) . This will protect your skin from limescale water and irritation from soap.

Don't take too long in the bath, 10 minutes is enough. Then, don't forget to rinse with plenty of water to remove any soap residue.

Finally, make sure to always nourish your skin after bathing to keep it protected all day long.

6) Using cosmetics without knowing their composition

When our best friend assures us that she has tried a great cream that makes her skin soft, we jump at the chance. Maybe it will also succeed in working miracles on our skin on which nothing works anymore?

Or, this saleswoman who swears that her cream soothed her redness... Without dwelling on the details, we buy the product and apply it generously to our skin. That's when disaster strikes.

Serious mistake: always choose products recommended for atopic skin and ideally with a natural composition !

Eczema skin is very capricious. It is not because a cream has worked miracles on someone that it will necessarily suit you.

Always check the composition of your cosmetics: eliminate all those that contain perfume, controversial molecules and allergenic substances.

We strongly recommend 100% natural and organic products (ideally with little or no essential oils). This is what Olie Neela cosmetics offer (click here to discover them) !

7) Feel guilty

Finally, above all, don't feel guilty if you don't yet see any improvement in your eczema. This disease is complex, and is generally treated over time. Several factors are linked: diet, genetics, the environment (pollution, climate, presence of allergens) and the mind.

The latter plays a vital role in the treatment of eczema. Indeed, and this is known, stress aggravates the symptoms . Instead of feeling guilty, do good to yourself whenever possible! Practice calming activities, your favorite sport, walks, meditation, etc.

For more tips, follow our complete guide to regaining control over eczema.