“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 By Dr. Scott Olson, ND