Eczema sufferers: Have you heard this one Charlotte?
“Eczema was bothering me, so I bought this $300 moisturizer which was supposed to ‘calm’ my red, itchy patches of eczema. I see no difference after 5 days, and my big interview is in 3 days!”Sound familiar? Many people who suffer from eczema are told that it can be treated like dry skin; get it clean and moisturized and it will clear up.
Eczema is not simply dry skin.
Like allergies, eczema has a trigger on the inside of our bodies. Once that trigger is activated, it shows itself in skin that is red, itchy, scaly, oozing, or dark colored (in patches). Research dermatologists believe eczema is a symptom of a mild to moderate autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune reactions can be temporary like the sneezing, itchy nose in a dusty room. What was that old joke? The guy goes to the doctor and says, “Doc, I have been cleaning out this dusty closet in my house. Now my nose itches, my eyes are watering, and I keep sneezing. What do I do?” The Doc replies, “Stay out of the dusty closet.” Right?!And although that is an oversimplified example, it demonstrates one of the attitudes eczema sufferers should take. You cannot rely on only one thing when treating eczema. It requires a mindful treatment plan.
A better way: Mindfulness and Metrolina
There are three goals in eczema dry skin care. But before you read them, read about this word: mindfulness. This is one of those words seen often around Charlotte with products that are “mindful” of the environment, entertainment that is “mindful” of diversity, and “Mindfulness” is a meditation practice all on its own.
Approach your eczema mindfully. The dermatologists at Metrolina certainly will.
- First, create a daily skin care routine. Metrolina Dermatologists of Charlotte can advise the best products to use in cleaning and moisturizing your skin without irritating your eczema.
- Second, adopt some stress management. Inflammation is common with autoimmune disorders and stress can be positive or negative, physical (lifting weights) or emotional (a bad day at work). Reflect upon the times in your day or week that find you the most stressed. Then think about your eczema: did you start itching right away, or maybe the next day? (The lady who bought the expensive ‘calming’ cream probably started scratching right away!) Right before you go to bed, write down the stressful times in that day. Then write down when your eczema was noticeable with itchiness or pain.
- And third, be MINDFUL of your scratching and rubbing. This may be the hardest goal to reach, but somethings do help. Limit contact with things that can make you itch. Save those shiny, silky, glamorously beautiful clothes for special events. Luckily, cotton, often thought only good for pajamas, has become the material of choice for many garments. Cotton is breathable which is so important for people with eczema. It is also soft which makes it ideal for clothing that won’t rub an area of sensitive skin. Cotton clothes of today are less prone to wrinkle or shrink and fade when washed.
- (For goals two and three, look for the term “Mindfulness” in the section with meditation. In fact, go no further from your phone’s app store. Several apps will help you practice mindfulness.)
Take control of your eczema by visiting a Charlotte Dermatologist at Metrolina Dermatology.
If you follow the guidelines in this article, please remember to take all this information to your Metrolina Dermatologist. Dr. Sasha Haberle, skin specialist and board certified dermatologist and mohs surgeon and her caring staff will appreciate your efforts to take control of your eczema. Their medical expertise and your efforts will lead to a life with eczema under control!
Take on a mindful attitude towards your eczema. Consult your favorite Charlotte dermatology experts at Metrolina Dermatology and Skin Care Specialists. They are ready to use their science and mindful awareness of all the issues surrounding eczema to help you plan a life with less itchiness, redness, pain, and embarrassment from eczema.
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