“Eczema Season”: STOP the Maddening Itch
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted November 21, 2022
Tomorrow is the first official day of fall. But depending on where you live, you may have already been feeling a nip in the air for weeks.
I love the change of seasons. But for many folks, fall brings more than falling leaves, cooler weather, and pumpkin pies.
The cold, dry air signals the start of eczema season and months of misery.
But if you battle dry skin or eczema, you DON’T have to grin and bear it. You can do a lot at home to head off itchy, flaky skin BEFORE it even starts.
With the temperatures dropping, these steps could help you stay eczema-free all fall and winter long.
Moisturize after bathing:
ALWAYS moisturize your skin immediately after a bath or showering. This helps seal the moisture in. There are endless creams and lotions to choose from. But few things work better than actual oils such as olive or avocado. Or try jojoba instead. Jojoba closely resembles the oils your body produces, and it literally attracts moisture to your skin’s top layer.
Limit soap and cleaning products:
Avoid soaps that are full of perfumes, additives, or antibacterial ingredients. And try to use soaps only where you need them the most: under your arms, in skin folds, and around your genitals. Allow your natural oils to protect the rest of your body.
Choose fragrance-free products:
It’s disturbing how many chemicals are dumped into products we use on our skin. And any one of them could cause an eczema flare-up. Fragrances are especially problematic. Choose fragrance-free skin care products, soaps, and laundry detergents. And keep in mind even products labeled “unscented” may contain hidden fragrances. So check labels carefully and look for brands you know you can trust.
Test skin products:
If you’re going to try a new product, ALWAYS test it on a small patch of skin first. Wait a few days to ensure you don’t have any reactions before using it elsewhere.
Take short cool showers:
Hot water and spending a lot of time in the shower or soaking in the bathtub will dry your skin. Commit to taking quick, cooler showers instead. Consider bathing less often and using a washcloth and mild fragrance-free soap to clean up between showers.
Uncover your eczema triggers:
While cold, dry air and chemicals are common culprits for flare-ups, most folks who battle eczema also have OTHER triggers. Certain foods can cause issues too. The most common problem foods are soy, corn, eggs, wheat, nuts, and alcohol. You can try a simple elimination diet to determine if these foods trigger skin issues. Cut each of them from your diet, one at a time. Then wait at least a week to see if your eczema calms down. If not, you can add them back in again.
Choose your wardrobe wisely:
When fighting off dry, itchy, flaky skin, your wardrobe matters. It’s best to wear looser-fitting, 100-percent-cotton clothing whenever you can. If you want to wear other fabrics, start with a layer of cotton closer to the skin.
Also, moving from heated indoor air into the cold outside can cause your skin to become dry. Cover as much of your skin as possible whenever you head out, using a scarf, gloves, and a hat. This will protect your skin and help seal moisture in.
P.S. Skin can lose its natural protective barrier due to a lack of nutrients. Moisturizing can help relieve itching in the short term. But for a long-term solution, you need to restore those missing nutrients. Click here for a list of the nutrients your skin is craving to END your itching for GOOD.
Source:
How to Treat Eczema at Home
https://www.newswise.com/articles/how-to-treat-eczema-at-home
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Forget Fasting and Try THIS Instead
Thirty years ago, one of my hippie cousins gave me a jar filled with liquid and a mysterious white blob floating in it. Puzzled, I asked them what it was. They called it a “kombucha tea starter.” I was curious enough to give it a shot and make some of the tea. The process was...
Five Game-Changing “Hacks” for Optimal Health
The other day, a patient told me she was doing “everything” she could for her health. When I asked her what she meant, much to my surprise, she told me she stopped using the microwave. I assure you that’s NOT everything. Sure, microwaving food has some downsides. But let’s be realistic; avoiding them won’t significantly...
The Vitamin NO Diabetic Can Afford to Ignore
The fact that so many Americans STILL have low vitamin D is puzzling. After all, the research showing how VITAL the vitamin is to our health is overwhelming. For example, maintaining adequate vitamin D levels reduces the risk of osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, cancer, autoimmune disease, respiratory infections, depression, and more. But new research...
Mailbag: Holistic Hacks to Manage Parkinson’s Symptoms
“My husband has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and I’ve noticed that his tremors and stiffness seem to be getting worse. Is there anything that can slow the disease? I’m worried about the side effects of his medications.” -Barb Hi Barb, A holistic approach focusing on physical activity, nutrition, and brain health is essential to...
One Ingredient Diet Hack TRANSFORMS Your Health
Trust me, I get it. You TRULY want to improve your health and feel and look better. However, just thinking about dieting makes you feel frustrated, exhausted, and ready to give up before you even get started. Because, let’s be honest, change is hard. But what if I told you that improving your health doesn’t...
Microplastic Mayhem Threatens Your Heart [ALERT]
As a regular Living Well Daily reader, you likely already know quite a bit about microplastics. After all, I’ve often written about the dangers they pose to our health. More research is needed to determine the precise damage ingesting microplastics causes, but we’ve already learned a thing or two. For example, studies have linked them...
Eyes Unlock Dementia Secrets a DECADE Early
The eyes are the window to the soul. We all know the old saying, of course. Its precise origins are unclear (it’s been attributed to the Bible, William Shakespeare, and Leonardo Da Vinci), but we know it’s true. After all, our eyes DO have a way of exposing our feelings. However, it’s not just emotions...
End the Afternoon Slump with THIS Evening Trick
We often joke about the afternoon slump and drifting off in our easy chairs. But the reality is when that fatigue keeps you from doing the things you love (or need) to do, your quality of life takes a serious hit. Take napping, for example. A daytime nap can be a refreshing luxury when you...
Confused About Protein Powders? Read This
So, you’re interested in trying protein powders. You may be planning on making breakfast smoothies with one. Or perhaps you’ll use it as an afternoon pick-me-up instead. A high-protein drink can be a great way to start the day because it helps you stay full far longer than a sugary bowl of cereal or a...
You CAN Develop a Happiness Habit [Here’s How...]
Life can be a total dumpster fire sometimes. We’ve all been there. Losing friends, arguing with family, and don’t even get me started on the whole money situation. Life’s challenging moments are enough to make anyone want to curl up into a ball and binge-watch Netflix for eternity. But wait, there’s a plot twist! Apparently,...