HINTS ON ECZEMA

What is eczema?

Eczema is a skin condition that results in dry, inflamed, itchy and sometimes weeping or infected skin. It is often very distressing and can cause great discomfort. This condition can flare up and subside for no apparent reason. Eczema often has its onset in babies 2 - 6 months and usually improves with age. It affects up to 30 percent of Australians. It is not contagious. Eczema is commonly found behind the knees and ears, inside the elbows, on ankles and eyelids. It can be on other parts of the body as well.

 USEFUL HINTS

You need to have a management plan, including a good diet, a good moisturiser and research suggests taking oil supplements such as Flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil or fish oil can have benefits in reducing the inflammatory responses in the body, therefore improving skin conditions.

ALLERGIES

Eliminate the allergy foods or main problem foods. Your GP can help or recommend an immunotherapy doctor who can help alleviate some allergies, like grasses, cats, pollen etc and you can find what you are allergic to.

CLOTHING

Cotton is preferred, remove tags and avoid woollen and synthetic clothing.

ITCHING

Keep nails short, keep skin cool, avoid stress, wear cotton gloves to bed, or bandage affected areas.

Drink plenty of water /fluids.

EFA OILS

Studies have said oils such as flaxseed, fish oil and evening primrose oil, taken internally are beneficial for eczema sufferers. I take them myself  daily and after 6 weeks you notice your skin is softer and smoother. If you miss them for a  few weeks, usually due to my skin being great and then forgetting to take them. I notice my skin needs more moisturiser. I have taken these supplements for years now. It is difficult to get children to take these capsules. Flaxseed should be kept in the fridge and you can take a tablespoon or put it in juice for little ones. Fish oil  or omega oils comes in kid’s formulas, usually marketed  for the brain  and concentration, you can get it in the chemist. EFAMOL is a brand of evening primrose oil and trials have said it may assist in some eczema symptoms. Combining oral supplements with a good moisturiser like Calmexema may give optimal long term benefits for healthy skin. Ask your health care professional for advice on these supplements.

PROBIOTICS

Clinical trials have shown a reduction in the incidence of eczema. ECZEMA SHIELD is  a probiotic specially formulated for eczema sufferers.

EMOLIENTS

Moisturising your skin daily will minimise itchiness.

Moisturise your skin every day on a regular basis, even more so in the winter months. Use a moisturiser that is nourishing and actually penetrates the skin and is full of natural, good for your skin, vegetable based ingredients, otherwise your skin gets no long term benefit from a 'mineral  type cream'. If you are going to bother putting moisturiser on your body everyday and eczema sufferers have to, then please do as I do and use the right product. Use a product such as CALMEXEMA.  In winter a useful hint is in little ones, after bathtime, you can thicken them with rosehip oil first, then Calmexema cream once or twice, then put on cotton pyjamas.

BATHTIME

Avoid soaps, harsh detergents that strip the natural oils from the skin. In the bath use natural washes or run sorbolene into the bath to make it creamy and milky. When the eczema is raw and sore, the sorbolene, even though I do not like mineral based creams, actually creates a barrier from the water, giving the sore skin time to get used to the water. I found it made bathing more bearable. There are lots of other bath products available that are gentle on the skin.

Join The ECZEMA association of Australasia, for help and advice. www.eczema.org.au .

FAQ's

How do I stop scratching?

The itching is caused by the release of the histamines and other chemicals. You have to stop the itch scratch cycle, because once the skin is broken infection can enter.

To say "stop scratching" you might as well say stop breathing, when you are itchy you just want to pull your skin off. I found with CALMEXEMA, the itching was one of the first symptoms to improve. Instead of scratching, I tell children to blow on their skin or pat it through their clothes, or rub it gently through clothing. Put a bag of frozen peas on the skin for a few minutes.  Also keep nails short and kids can wear cotton gloves to bed.

Should I stop using steroids if using Calmexema?

I would not tell anyone to stop using their steroid creams, Calmexema is not a steroid replacement, it is your daily moisturiser, that can be used with your steroid cream, however I found once I had used the Calmexema for a few months I needed less steroid cream. I was using one tube per week of steroid on my face and body before I used Calmexema, over at least a one year period, before I found the right formula in Calmexema. The long term goal in eczema is to eliminate or reduce the need for steroid creams, as it is said, over time with excessive use, they thin the skin.

How should I store Calmexema?

It is best kept in the fridge. If you notice oil separating , don’t worry it has not “gone off” just shake the contents and put in fridge it will re-blend. I have tried to avoid using harsh emulsifiers and stabilisers  and used natural ingredients.

How long will a jar last me?

You should use a jar a week at least, for the first 6-8 weeks to get the best results, and allow the ingredients to really get into the skin. A small child one jar may last 10 days. After a couple of months of regular use you should need much less cream, especially if you take the oil supplements as well.

I HOPE YOU FIND THIS INFORMATION HELPFUL, THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS ONLY A GUIDE AND SHOULD NOT REPLACE MEDICAL ADVICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS  ABOUT MY PRODUCTS PLEASE EMAIL ME melanie@calmessence.com.au