Eczema is a term that is used to describe a group of conditions that affect the skin by causing it to become irritated and inflamed. One of the most common types of this itchy skin condition is known as atopic dermatitis, which is known to cause the development of other allergic conditions such as hay fever and asthma. 

While eczema in its various forms affects more than 10% of children and roughly 3% of adults globally, most children suffering from the unpleasant symptoms of eczema are fortunate enough to outgrow the skin condition by the age of ten. However, others are plagued with flare-ups right throughout their lives. 

One of the main reasons this condition can be quite tricky to treat is the common aspect that many of us are unable to identify the eczema-causing triggers known as skin irritants. By learning to understand your skin by identifying harmful skin irritants, you can successfully prevent the frequency and severity of flare-ups.

Recognizing The Symptoms

Regardless of the specific area of skin that is affected by the condition, the symptoms usually result in excessive itching. In many cases, the itching will begin even before the first signs of a rash appear. The most common affected areas of skin are usually the face, hands, wrists, feet, and back of the knees. However, the condition can appear on any area of the body. 

The affected area will usually appear extremely dry, scaly, and even thickened and individuals with lighter skin tones will notice the skin is red in color and inflamed. The condition can affect skin pigment over time and cause the skin to become either lighter or darker. Other known symptoms of eczema include oozing of the rash which usually occurs on the facial and scalp area, although, can appear on any area of the skin. The severity and frequency of this dreaded skin condition vary widely, however, even in mild flare-ups, the itching and burning can be extremely unpleasant. 

Identifying Skin Irritants

The ability to identify the symptoms of the condition is as crucial as identifying the irritants that act as triggers. It is believed that eczema is the result of an overactive immune system response to certain known irritants. While some known irritants include harmful chemical ingredients that can be found in shampoos, body lotions, cleaning products, and others, certain fabrics are known culprits for causing flare-ups. In order to establish the irritants that are responsible for your flare-ups, you will need to make use of a system that eliminates products containing certain ingredients until you are able to identify the harmful products and the harmful ingredients to avoid. 

However, the method of eliminating products and fabrics one by one is undeniably time-consuming and potentially frustrating for individuals suffering from severe symptoms. With this in mind, an effective method of avoiding flare-ups would be to eliminate all the potential triggers by switching to organic skincare products that are intended for sensitive skin and considering the benefits that safe fabrics that contain zinc oxide such as eczema gloves that are proven suitable for eczema-prone skin. This solution will provide maximum comfort for sensitive skin while also providing the wearer peace of mind in terms of dreaded eczema flare-ups. 

Avoiding Potentially Harmful Skincare Products

Because this skin condition is known to commonly affect the facial area, it is most suitable to consider the benefits of limiting the products that you use on your face. While you may be tempted to pack on several different fragranced facial lotions and under-eye creams to take advantage of the alluring claimed benefits of such products, it is best to limit your product usage as much as possible to ensure that you are not exposing your sensitive eczema-prone skin to harmful ingredients. In addition to this, you should also opt for products that contain fewer ingredients. While organic products are recommended by skin care professionals, organic options usually limit their ingredients, making them the most suitable solution for optimal skincare. 

Treating Symptoms As They Appear

If you have been suffering from frequent flare-ups, the best method of treating the symptoms is to manage them as they appear. This suggests that you should begin applying topical organic treatments at the first sign of itching rather than waiting for the tell-tale rash to appear. Treating the symptoms as early as possible will be able to effectively slow the effects of the rash and protect skin from potential damage. Keeping a stock of organic products that have been proven to effectively treat eczema symptoms such as topical manuka honey applicants is recommended to ensure you are able to treat the symptoms as they appear.