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February 7th, 2012

Preventing Flare-Ups

Posted on Jul 28 in Featured, QV Body, QV Flare Up, QV Intensive, Skin Conditionsby QV SkincarePrintText Resizer Text Resizer

Atopic dermatitis usually occurs as reddish, itchy skin, but may be oozing and crusty in severe cases. It generally begins early in life at which time it is commonly referred to as “infantile eczema”. Atopic dermatitis is characterised by flare-ups and remission, and tends to follow distinct patterns during infancy, childhood and adult life. We have a specific product to help cope with these flare ups called QV Flare Up Bath Oil.

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Lifestyle modifications are the first line of defence in controlling eczema, regardless of whether the eczema is mild, moderate, or severe. Recommended by dermatologists, the following guidelines can help reduce the severity and frequency of flare-ups, which also may decrease the need for anti-inflammatory medicine. Continuing to follow these guidelines once the signs and symptoms clear can help prevent further outbreaks:

1. Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. Eczema is usually dry and itchy, so applying moisturisers as needed to keep the skin moist is part of an effective treatment plan. Frequent moisturizing locks in the skin’s own moisture to prevent dryness and cracking.

One of the best ways to lock in moisture is to apply moisturizer after bathing. When bathing, care must be taken to avoid irritating the skin.

2. Limit contact with anything that irritates the skin. Soaps, bubble bath, perfumes, cosmetics, laundry detergents, household cleaners, too much time spent in water, finger paints, gasoline, turpentine, wool, a pet’s fur, juices from meats and fruits, plants, jewelry, and even lotions can irritate sensitive skin. Know what irritates your skin and limit contact with all that does. Avoiding personal-care products that contain alcohol and not washing hands too frequently also will help reduce irritation.

3. Avoid sweating and overheating. The most common triggers of the scratch/itch cycle are sweating and overheating. It is essential to prevent these situations whenever possible.

4. Avoid sudden changes in temperature and humidity. A sudden rise in temperature can cause overheating and sweating. A drop in humidity can dry skin and lead to a flare-up.

5. Grab a cold compress to curb the itch. Scratching makes the condition worse and may puncture skin allowing bacteria to enter and cause an infection. Gently applying a cold compress to the area that itches can reduce inflammation and lessen the desire to scratch.

6. Keep fingernails short. Short nails decrease the likelihood that scratching will puncture the skin. Keeping nails short and wearing cotton gloves at night may help prevent scratching that punctures the skin while asleep.

7. Dress in loose-fitting cotton clothes. Synthetic fabrics, wool, and other materials that feel rough to the touch often irritate the skin and trigger a flare-up. Cotton and cotton-blend clothes usually make skin feel better.

8. Double rinse clothes, and wash new clothes before wearing. Laundry detergents can trigger flare-ups. Using a fragrance-free, neutral pH detergent and double rinsing clothes can help prevent flare-ups caused by laundry detergent. It also may be helpful to wash new clothes before they are worn as washing removes excess dyes and fabric finishers, which can irritate the skin. Tags should be removed, too, as these can rub the skin, causing irritation.

9. Reduce stress. Stress reduction plays a key role in preventing eczema flares. In today’s fast-paced world, reducing stress can be challenging; however, there are ways to effectively reduce stress.

10. Follow a prescribed treatment regimen. Moisturising and using medications as directed by a dermatologist go a long way toward keeping flare-ups at bay.

For Atopic Dermatitis Only
Since atopic dermatitis is a type of eczema that occurs in people who have an inherited predisposition to allergies, such as asthma, hay fever, or food allergies, the following also can help prevent a flare-up:

11. Limit exposure to environmental triggers. Pollens, molds, mites, and animal dander can cause flare-ups. When pollen and mold counts are high, limit time outdoors.

12. Find out if any food(s) triggers the atopic dermatitis. If you suspect a food allergy is a trigger, be sure to tell your dermatologist. Tests can be run to determine which, if any, food allergies exist.

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Entry Details: This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 at 10:13, by QV Skincare, and is filed under Featured, QV Body, QV Flare Up, QV Intensive, Skin Conditions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Print This!

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