How to Keep Eczema at Bay During a Twindemic
Winter is not only the middle of flu season, but we’re also dealing with a global pandemic. Unfortunately, that can make a trip to your dermatologist for eczema flare-ups a little bit difficult. Here are a few tips to help you manage your eczema symptoms during this twindemic.
How to Prevent Eczema
Consider Investing in a Humidifier
The amount of moisture in the air has a significant effect on how severe your eczema is. And since winter typically means much colder air, there’s usually a lot less moisture to go around. Unfortunately, the air inside your home can be just as dry as the air outside as a result of forced air heating. That’s why it’s a good idea to consider investing in a humidifier. This is a great way to get some moisture back into the air inside of your house, especially in rooms that you occupy frequently. As a result, it will be easier for your skin to retain moisture and for you to avoid eczema flare ups. If you’re not sure where to place your humidifier, consider your bedroom or living room.
Shorten Your Showers
While most of the eczema treatment you’ll receive is directly from your dermatologist, taking certain steps at home, as we mentioned above, is crucial to its success. Fortunately, these steps can be as simple as shortening your showers. While a nice, long shower might feel great after a long day, it’s not exactly the best way to treat your eczema symptoms. Hot water already dries out your skin, but staying in the hot shower for too long can make it even worse. All that hot water actually strips your skin of natural oils and lubricants it needs to stay moisturized throughout the day. Combined with eczema, showers that are too long can make for a nasty flare up if you’re not careful. So next time you shower, make sure you’re being efficient and keeping the water at a reasonable temperature. This simple step can go a long way in crafting an effective eczema treatment plan.
Use a Prescription Eczema Cream
Over-the-counter eczema creams may work in a pinch, but when you’re dealing with a twindemic in the middle of winter it’s always safe to make the investment in something a little bit stronger. Dealing with a skin condition like eczema means it’s incredibly important to work with your dermatologist to determine the best way to manage it. If together you determine that a prescription-strength eczema cream is what your skin needs to retain moisture and heal during the winter months, then it’s important that you use it accordingly. In some cases, you may only need to use a prescription-strength eczema cream when the weather is extremely dry. So long as you’re using this cream in accordance with your dermatologist’s instructions, it should help your eczema treatment during the winter.
Dealing with eczema during the winter can be hard enough, let alone dealing with it during a twindemic. If you’re struggling with eczema this winter, don’t hesitate to set up your consultation with SE Dermatology Specialists today.