Eczema Lifestyle Changes – 12 Tips to Manage Severe Eczema

April 26, 2019
Eczema Lifestyle Changes – 12 Tips to Manage Severe Eczema


Approximately 28 million Americans of all age groups are affected by eczema. It is a chronic skin condition characterized by red, itchy, flaky and dry rashes which can appear on any body part but often appears on the wrist, neck, ankles, the inner elbow and the back of the knees.

For a few individuals, these symptoms of eczema worsen with the growing age and are often accompanied by intense itching. You need to keep yourselves away from eczema triggers that include:

  • Stress
  • Dryness
  • Perfumes
  • Scented candles
  • Smoke
  • Extreme temperatures
  • Sweat
  • Pollen
  • Molds
  • Synthetic fabrics
  • Detergents
  • Scented soaps
  • Pet Dander
  • Dust Mites
  • Dry air
  • Food Allergens
  • Heavy workout

There are several types of eczema, and the most commonly known as atopic dermatitis. Unfortunately, the cause of eczema is still unknown but there are many treatment options to help manage the skin condition that may include medications or home remedies to treat atopic dermatitis.

Apart from these medications, it’s important to discover a few eczema lifestyle changes that can benefit your skin and help keep your eczema symptoms controlled. The treatment of eczema is a wholesome process that requires complete care of your skin and body as well.

12 lifestyle Changes that Can Help Manage Eczema Symptoms

1. Shower

Avoid extreme temperatures, don’t take too hot showers or too cold baths. Stick to lukewarm showers and other baths solutions that include various types of bath solutions to help your skin rejuvenate itself.

Also Read – Eczema and Bathing – Tips to Take Bath With Eczema

2. Mild fragrance

free soap or body wash – If you are the one suffering from a chronic skin condition then choose a right soap and avoid using antibacterial soaps as these can easily dry out your skin giving itchy, red and dried patches. Use soaps correctly, you can use it in the areas like groin, armpits, and just avoid the rest body.

3. Moisturization is Necessary

Moisturize, moisturize and moisturize. As soon as you come out of the shower, pat dry your skin with a soft towel and then apply moisturizer to the entire body. Always opt for a fragrance-free mild body lotion. You can also apply coconut oil, vaseline or other essential oils for eczema to lock in the moisture inside your body. Change and skincare routine to see the difference.

4. Watch Your Diet

Diet plays an important role to keep your body healthy. Follow a healthy diet that includes fresh fruits, juices, vegetables and fiber to help individuals control eczema condition. You can also follow an elimination diet to get rid of the skin condition but we do recommend to consult your doctor before any change in your diet. We also have easy eczema friendly recipes to help you overcome eczema. Following a healthy Eczema diet plan can help build a stronger immune system.

5. Increase Water Consumption

Try to include more fluids in your diet. Drink water to keep your skin hydrated as this can be beneficial to treat eczema. You should increase your consumption of water as a bacterial attack makes the skin lose its natural water. Hence, these simple measures can help you in a better way.

6. Avoid Scratching and Rubbing

Don’t rub or scratch the itchy skin patch as this can worsen the skin condition. An individual should restrict themselves from coming in contact with eczema allergens/triggers that irritates their skin.

7. Stress Management

Stress in itself is a huge health issue and stress can trigger eczema. Proper sleep, breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, acupuncture and more can help keep your hormones in proper functioning. Try relaxing yourselves and manage your stress levels to get rid of the skin condition.

Take some time for yourself before bed to unwind and drink some calming tea. Managing stress levels helps you manage your eczema symptoms and boosts your health in general.

8. Get sufficient sleep

As per the studies, sleep plays a major role in skin inflammation. It fuels the flames of inflammation, therefore causing eczema and other skin conditions. So, maintain proper sleep patterns and get a sufficient amount of sleep to get yourselves relaxed.

9. Wash Process

Wash all new clothes in a fragrance-free mild detergents before wearing them as this helps to remove harmful chemicals, dyes or irritating formaldehyde used during production or packaging process. Add a second rinse cycle to ensure removal of soap, if you are concerned.

Residual laundry detergent, particularly the perfume or dye, may be irritating to your eczema when it remains in the clothing. So, use mild soaps and detergents.

10. Comfortable surroundings

Work and sleep in comfortable surroundings with a fairly constant temperature and humidity level. Avoid too hot and too cold temperatures as this can dry out your skin giving you major breakouts and may cause eczema flare-ups.

11. Fabric Selection

Wear loosely fitted fabrics that can easily allow air to pass freely to your skin. Open weave, loose-fitting, cotton-blend clothing may be most comfortable for individuals with atopic dermatitis. Avoid wearing wool, synthetic and tight fitted clothes as it can aggravate the skin irritation and may worsen eczema.

12. Exercise regularly

As per the studies, regular exercise reduces skin inflammation and is responsible to boost your immune system. Exercise is beneficial in many ways as it helps stay strong, motivated and cheerful. Many low impact exercises and the daily regime will offer you better results without letting you sweat too much.

Also Read – Eczema and Exercise – How to Exercise Safely with Eczema?

Few More Eczema Lifestyle Changes To Overcome Eczema Skin

  • Keep your fingernails very short to avoid scratching.
  • Use sunscreen regularly and always avoid getting sunburned. Use an eczema friendly sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
  • Take a quick shower or bath immediately after swimming, washing with a mild cleanser from head to toe, and then apply an appropriate moisturizer on eczema affected areas.
  • Use bath solutions that help you keep your eczema at bay
  • Apply yogurt for 15 minutes on your body before taking a bath or shower
  • Avoid scratching the affected area continuously
  • Avoid spicy food
  • Avoid packed foods and foods with preservatives, food additives and food color as these can aggravate your skin condition

Also Read: Food Triggers Eczema – Foods to Avoid To Get Rid Of Eczema

Although lifestyle changes can significantly help individuals with eczema but try not to bombard yourselves with too many changes all at once.

Try making one change at a time and sustain it for a few weeks before trying another. We recommend consulting your doctor before including any changes in your lifestyle or diet.

Reference Sources:

Leave a comment