Eczema Awareness Month: How to keep your skin cosy and calm this Autumn / Winter

October is Eczema Awareness Month – a time that highlights the impact of a skin condition affecting a huge 1 in 10 adults (and even more children) living in Ireland. The skin condition causes year round discomfort, but many find that the onset of winter can trigger flare-ups and further irritation, as changeable weather conditions further disrupt an already delicate skin barrier.

When it comes to managing eczema, comfort is key but it can be tricky to find and so we quizzed the experts within our Health & Wellness Panel to bring you the most effective routes to instant and long-term comfort for those with eczema and dry skin.

‘Atopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that causes dry, itchy, and irritated skin,’ explains Professor Nicola Ralph, a Dermatologist at Institute of Dermatologists, Ireland. ‘It is a complex condition with a variety of causes, including genetics, immune dysfunction, and environmental factors.’ More than a third (37%) of eczema sufferers say the skin condition affects their confidence daily, according to research by dry skin specialists Epaderm, but whilst there is no cure for eczema, there are lots of things you can do to help yourself and others manage your skin and minimise the impact it has, ‘It's important to be supportive and understanding of someone with atopic eczema as it can be a frustrating and difficult condition to manage and can have a significant impact on one’s quality of life. With the right care and treatment, however, many people with atopic eczema can improve their symptoms and lead a normal, healthy life.’

The following are some ways to support someone with atopic eczema:

• Identify triggers: Help the person identify triggers that can cause flare-ups, such as stress, certain fabrics, detergents, fragranced products.
• Keep the skin moisturized: Apply a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizer to the skin several times a day to help keep it hydrated and prevent dryness.
• Use gentle skin care products: Use fragrance-free, hypoallergenic skin care products to avoid irritating the skin. These should be used to wash in the shower/bath and also to wash the face.
• Avoid scratching: Encourage the person to avoid scratching the affected area to prevent further irritation and possible infection.
• Take short lukewarm showers/baths rather than long hot ones to prevent further dryness of the skin and keep the bedroom temperature low to prevent scratching during the night.
• Follow a healthy lifestyle: Encourage the person to follow a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management, which can help to reduce inflammation and improve overall health.
• Seek medical treatment: If the person's symptoms are severe or do not improve with self-care measures, encourage them to seek medical treatment from a healthcare professional. Treatment may include prescription topical or oral medications, light therapy, or other therapies which work by suppressing the immune system including oral therapies and new biologic therapies.

Key ingredients

Deliver a dose of deep comfort with these soothing skincare ingredients...

Emollients

‘Bland ceramide-containing emollients and emollient soap substitutes are the most important home remedies for eczema outside of prescription-based treatments,’ recommends Professor Caitriona Ryan, Dermatologist at Insitute of Dermatologists, Ireland. Petrolatum is a thick emollient which helps to prevent 99% of water loss from the skin. Locking water within the damaged outer layers where it is missing helps the skin to become more able to repair the barrier. Apply post bathing and during the day to soothe itching too.


Colloidal oatmeal

‘Adding colloidal oatmeal to a warm bath can help soothe itchy skin and reduce inflammation,’ continues Caitriona. Research has found colloidal oatmeal beneficial in treating and relieving eczema symptoms. Oatmeal is an emollient which protects the epidermal barrier whilst providing moisture to the skin. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties, which help to calm the skin and reduce any redness.


Ceramides

Ceramides are lipids found in the top layer of our skin and assist in protecting the skin and keeping it hydrated. As eczema prone skin is further compromised by deficiencies in ceramides, topical application can assist in boosting the protective barrier and avoiding dryness and trans-epidermal water loss.

Humectants

Humectants help the skin retain moisture by attracting water molecules from the air or from lower cell layers, just like a magnet. Common synthetic humectants include urea, glycerin, and lactic acid – but whilst these can help the skin retain moisture, caution is advised when it comes to excess use as in some cases, they can disrupt the skin’s own moisturising process and may dry the skin over time. Natural humectant alternatives include hyaluronic acid, which draws moisture from the bottom layers of the skin to the surface while boosting the skin’s own ability to stay hydrated.



If you think you may have eczema, please visit your GP for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.