Eczema

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Eczema

Help for Overly Sensitive Skin

If you have allergies, hay fever, hives or dry, overly sensitive skin, you may also have bouts of eczema, typified by a red and dry rash that itches like crazy.

There are about ten types of eczema, but atopic dermatitis--allergic inflammation of the skin--is among the more common kinds.

"The eczema rash typically appears as red, swollen patches or blotches on the face and neck and the folds of the elbows and knees, but it can also affect the hands and feet--or the whole body," says Kristin Leiferman, M.D., professor of dermatology at the Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minnesota. And no one knows what causes it, but it's not contagious.

What Women Doctors Do Less Wool, More Moisture Karen K. Deasey, M.D. Dermatologists aren't immune to the dry, itchy skin that typifies eczema, says Karen K. Deasey, M.D., chief of dermatology at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Pennsylvania. Here's what she does to soothe her itching skin. "I make sure to moisturize my skin at least once a day, and sometimes twice," she says. "And I know that stress plays a role in my skin condition, so I try to keep the stress under control. "Plus, I'm really beginning to believe in the benefits of aromatherapy. I bought a pretty, scented 'stress relief' candle at a Bath and Body Works store at a nearby mall. I burn it while I'm eating dinner, or in my bedroom while I'm reading or getting ready for bed." Dr. Deasey also makes it a point to wear cotton or soft, natural-fiber clothing, and she avoids wool and heavy, scratchy materials that would aggravate her skin.

A CYCLIC PHENOMENON?

Eczema symptoms come and go. One day your skin may be fine, and the next, you may experience a flare-up of redness and itchiness. Triggers include exposure to harsh soaps or household cleaning products, a skin-drying environment like when the furnace comes on in the fall and early winter, coarse or scratchy clothes and possibly even stress.

Many women also report that they experience eczema flare-ups at the same time during their menstrual cycles each month--either premenstrually or during their periods, says Dr. Leiferman.

ANTI-ITCH SUGGESTIONS

Women doctors say that while there is no cure for eczema, there are things that you can do to keep your skin smooth and clear and keep outbreaks under control. Here's what they recommend. (For other practical ways to deal with dry hands and dry skin, see pages 179 and 182.)

Baths help. Doctors used to tell eczema patients not to bathe frequently. Now many believe that one or two baths or showers a day can be very helpful, says Dr. Leiferman.

Turn down the temp. "Bathe in lukewarm water--it's less drying than hot water," says D'Anne Kleinsmith, M.D., a staff dermatologist at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Take 10. "It's important to stay in the water for at least 10 to 20 minutes--long enough for your skin to soak up water," says Dr. Leiferman. "You'll know that you've been in long enough when your skin starts to pucker and crinkle," she says. "Your skin cells actually absorb water through their membranes and become hydrated."

Go easy on the soap. "To avoid drying out your skin, use soap only on those body parts where you think you need it," recommends Karen K. Deasey, M.D., chief of dermatology at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Pennsylvania. And stick with mild, nonirritating soaps. She recommends Dove or Oil of Olay Beauty Bar.

Other good choices are superfatted soaps such as Basis or Aveeno, according to Dr. Kleinsmith.

Glycerinated (see-through) soaps are also a good bet, Dr. Leiferman says. But avoid deodorant soaps, which tend to be harsh and irritating.

Seal in water with moisturizer. The best time to slather on moisturizer is immediately after you step out of the bath or shower. "Just blot off excess water with a towel and liberally apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp," says Dr. Kleinsmith. This after-bath treatment helps trap the moisture that has gotten into your skin while bathing.

Go fragrance-free. "I advise patients to look for bland moisturizers that don't have a lot of fragrance, color or additives that could irritate skin," says Dr. Leiferman.

"Read the labels and pick one that is right for you," agrees Dr. Deasey, who recommends Cetaphil moisturizing cream, Aveeno cream or lotion, and Lubriderm products. Sometimes she suggests a specialized lotion called Lac-Hydrin Five for extremely dry skin.

Keep moisturizers handy. "Stock up on small travel-size tubes of moisturizer and carry them around in your purse or pocket," says Dr. Kleinsmith. "That way, every time you wash your hands, you can reapply a coat of moisturizer."

Wash that itch right out of your clothes. Use mild laundry detergents, such as Tide and Ivory, and rinse your clothes twice when washing to clear away all traces of detergent, advises Dr. Deasey. "I stay away from those newer, blue liquid detergents, because I find that they leave residues on clothes that make people itch. I also avoid fabric softeners, because the fragrances in them can make your skin itch."

When To See A Doctor If you have eczema, you can probably handle most flare-ups on your own. You should see a doctor if: * The itch is so severe that you can't sleep, or you can't get relief from over-the-counter products such as hydrocortisone cream. "A doctor can prescribe itch-relieving medication, such as antihistamines or hydroxyzine (like Atarax) or doxepin (like Zonalon Cream)," says Karen K. Deasey, M.D., chief of dermatology at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Pennsylvania. * The eczema is open and oozing, because your skin may be infected. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, which can also help reduce itching and redness.

Protect your hands. Wear gloves whenever you do dishes or housework, because soap and water, cleaning products and even dust can irritate your skin, advises Dr. Kleinsmith. "However, rubber gloves tend to get hot and make your hands sweaty, so wear cotton glove liners inside the rubber gloves to absorb perspiration," she says. "You can get cotton gloves in drugstores or in medical supply stores."

Heal with hydrocortisone cream. If your skin is really inflamed and itchy, over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams can help soothe the itch. They may also diminish some of the redness, says Dr. Kleinsmith.