Pollen is commonly associated with allergic reactions, especially those involving asthma and hayfever.  It can be a problem for eczema sufferers as well.   It is from mid spring until the end of summer that pollen is a major problem.

Of course it would be easiest just to stay inside with the doors and windows shut.  This would eliminate the problem of pollen causing eczema flare ups, however it would also pretty well eliminate any sort of life style you may have as well.

The idea is then to minimise your exposure to pollen.  This can be done by:

• Changing clothes when coming inside and showering to remove any specks of pollen.
• Keeping windows shut during the summer months.
• Consider replacing lawns with pebbles or paving
• If you must keep your lawn have some one else mow it for you.
• Avoid having plants in your garden that are known allergen–producing plants.

Chemicals, Detergents, Eczema

The three just don’t go together!

Although chemicals and detergents do not cause atopic eczema they are potential allergens for the unsuspecting eczema sufferer as they are commonly the cause of flare ups.

The problem is they are found everywhere in modern day society.  Our lives are filled with artificial cleaning agents designed to clean our homes, our clothes, our bodies.

However they can have detrimental effects on our skin.  Chemicals and detergents dry the skin, stripping it of its natural oils.  They are commonly the cause of allergic reactions especially in contact dermatitis and the cause of many a flare up in atopic eczema.

What can we do about it?

For most of us it is simply not possible to completely remove artificial cleaners from our daily lives.

House Cleaning:

Wear gloves when washing the dishes or cleaning using any chemicals.  Cotton liners under rubber gloves will help to prevent irritation from the rubber.

Wash your hands after using chemicals and always remoisturise after having your hands in water.  Try to select cleaning agents which are less harsh on your hands and our environment.

Clothes Cleaning:

Use a mild detergent to wash your clothes in.  Don’t chop and change your detergent.  If you find one that doesn’t irritate your skin don’t use different ones because they are cheaper or because the ads say they are better.

If you have problems with clothes irritating your skin wash your clothes, towels and bedding twice.  Once in detergent and once in plain water as an extra rinse.  It is often not the detergent that causes the irritation but the residue left in the clothes after washing.

Body Cleaning:

We have become a society with obsessive personal hygiene.  Which is good because none of us like to be near a smelly person.  But do we go over the top – especially those with sensitive skin.

Over washing or prolonged exposure to water strips the skin of its natural oils resulting in dry, cracked skin.  This is a problem for anyone but for the eczema sufferer it is a major problem.  Dry skin coupled with a sensitivity to many of the additives found in our personal cleaning agents leads to many eczema flare ups.

There are many soap substitutes available that make the use of soaps unnecessary.  Try using a cleansing bar, skin wash, skin cream or emulsifying ointment.  These  non soap cleansing lotions have a neutral pH and are unperfumed.  They are far less likely to cause a skin irritation than normal soaps.

Avoid using perfumes or after shave lotions that are scented.  Choose deodorants that are natural or manufactured for sensitive skin.  It may take some trial and error but it is worth shopping around to find the products that best suit your skin.

They say there are two sides to every story.  Eczema and pets is the perfect example.  With pet fur, dander (dried skin), urine and saliva being common allergens for the eczema sufferer, it stands to reason that pets are a no no if you have eczema.

Right?

Not Necessarily

The benefits of owning a pet are well documented.  They provide company, decrease stress, provide hours of endless pleasure and distract from worries.

These benefits are important for your eczema.

We know stress is a common factor in eczema flare-ups.  If having a pet will help to minimise your stress, then it stands to reason that the decreased stress may in turn lessen the eczema.

If itching is a frequent problem the distraction of having a pet to care for and play with may be just the answer.

Don’t avoid having a pet because you think you may be allergic.

Of course if you are actually allergic to your pet the disadvantages may outweigh the advantages.  But before you send your beloved pet off to a new home check that it is your pet you are allergic to and not the products you are using on him to care for him.  It is not uncommon for pet shampoo or flea care etc to cause an allergic reaction and not the fur or the pet himself.

If you choose to have a pet select your pet carefully.  Perhaps a goldfish would be a better alternative.  If it is a cat or dog that you are wanting, keep him clean and well groomed.  Select a short haired pet that does not molt.  Don’t allow him to sleep on your bed or chairs and wash your hands after contact.  Try to keep your pet outside or buy one that can be kept in a cage.

If you feel that a pet is a must in your life and your pet does cause allergic reactions you may find that it is necessary to use extra medication to control your eczema.

We have known of the dangers of dust mite for those who suffer from allergies for longer than the word allergies has been around.  And they are difficult to avoid.

Dust mites are everywhere.

Dust mites live off organic debris and their preferred diet is skin cells.  Dust mite can therefore be found wherever humans are.  They are most abundant where dead human skin cells are most plentiful – bedding, rugs, upholstered furniture.  They thrive in warm moist environments.

Dust mites are resilient.

Dust mites are also very resilient.  They can survive in warm soapy water and can withstand freezing temperatures for up to 5 hours.  Bedding and furnishings should therefore be laundered regularly in the hottest water possible and then put through the hottest cycle of a clothes dryer.

It is best to replace children’s soft plush covered toys with toys that have smooth plastic bodies and washable clothes.  If children have special toys they just can’t part with they should be washed 2 –3 times a week in very hot water to kill the dust mite or placed in a plastic bag and put in the freezer overnight.  The next morning they can be washed in warm water to remove the dead mites.

Although regular vacuuming will not totally rid a room of mites it will remove up to 70% of them.  However they will be back to their original numbers within a week.  Regular vacuuming is therefore essential.

The most effective way to keep your environment as dust mite free as possible is to vacuum regularly, launder in hot water regularly and replace what ever can’t be laundered with that which can be laundered easily in hot water.

Blisters are small fluid-filled sacs that appear on the surface of the skin.  They may vary in size from pinpoint to 10mm in diameter.  Larger blisters are known as bulla, whilst the smaller ones commonly seen in eczema are called vesicles.

Read the rest of this entry »

Foot eczema is most common amongst children in the wintertime, when the air is dryer.  It presents as a scaly area of dry irritated skin on the foot.  In severe cases the skin may crack and bleed leaving it open to infection.

The problem arises when an allergy prone child reacts to an element in his shoes or socks, or from excessive sweating. Intense sweating, which is often the result of poorly chosen shoes, results in the skin’s natural oils being washed away.  This leaves the upper layers of skin barren of their natural moisturisation.

What can be done to control foot eczema?

As with any eczema prevention is easier than control.  Keeping the feet well moisturised especially in winter and careful selection of shoes may help to prevent the condition developing.

It is advisable to avoid the use of soaps, as soaps are known to be harsh on sensitive skin stripping it of its natural oils.  Use soap substitutes, which are gentle on the skin and don’t contain fragrances, additives, preservatives or colouring.

Where possible select shoes that are not occlusive or synthetic.  Open sandals are better than closed in shoes as they allow the air to circulate.  Canvas runners/trainers are known for inducing sweating.  They should be avoided whenever possible.  Air shoes out each night to ensure they are thoroughly dry before being worn the next day.  A second pair of shoes may be necessary so they can be worn on alternating days.

Soaking the feet in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of bath oil each evening is very beneficial.  This will cleanse the accumulated sweat off the feet and remoisturise the skin.  If eczema is actually present on the skin the most effective time to apply treating creams or emollients is after the feet have been soaked and dabbed dry.  This is when the skin is at its softest and moistest and therefore most receptive to the cream.

If the skin becomes broken and bleeds antibiotics or wrapping may be required.  Your doctor can advise you about the necessity of these.

The nappy area tends to be a very humid area.  This coupled with the fact that urine is a natural moisturiser is believed to be why a large proportion of babies do not develop eczema in their nappy region.

Read the rest of this entry »

The benefits of the psoriasis sufferer swimming in the Dead Sea are well documented.  Whilst it has not always been clear what it is about the Dead Sea that is so beneficial there are hundreds if not thousands of psoriasis sufferers who will swear by its benefits.

However it is not necessary to travel so far to achieve the same results.  Adding Epsom or Dead Sea salts to your bath water may help to alleviate the symptoms.  Soaking in a bath containing these salts will help to remove the psoriasis scales so commonly associated with psoriasis.

If holidaying choose a resort where your psoriasis will not only benefit from the salt water at the beach but also the sun exposure and the relaxed atmosphere.  My friend Cath manages a great budget Broadbeach resort for anyone looking to holiday on the Gold Coast!

Tell her I sent you and she’ll take great care of you.

For most of our children the school holidays are over and the final term of school has commenced.  For the younger children this is an exciting term because it means Christmas and the long summer holidays are approaching.

For the older child this term is more about hard work and long hours of study as they prepare for their final exams.  These exams are very important as the results will open up doors for their future – or close them.

Exams are stressful

The children are well aware of the importance of these exams and feel the pressure.  Stress is everywhere and each child will experience their stress differently.  Some will have difficulty sleeping, some may experience nausea, others may experience a flare up of their eczema.

Even eczema that has been dormant for years may resurface during this stressful time.  It is important to take good care of yourself and treat your eczema promptly so that your focus is not taken away from the major task at hand – exams.

Below are some tips on how to survive the final exams when you have eczema.

• Eat a well balanced diet, which includes plenty of water.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Take time out from study to ‘chill out’ and relax.
• Moisturise your skin after showering, every time, even if your eczema is controlled.  This may help to prevent a flare up.
• Don’t leave study to the last minute, be sensible and spread it out so you don’t need to cram and can feel well prepared for each exam.
• If your eczema causes problems with your hands making writing difficult discuss with your teacher the possibility of the exam board permitting you to use a computer or tape recorder.
• If possible wear loose fitting cotton clothing that will not enhance sweating.
• Request to sit in a well ventilated cool area of the room.
• Make sure your teacher is aware of your condition so that they can be understanding and help where ever necessary.

Someone has just alerted me to the fact that a web site
(www.eczemafreeforever.com) was using one our Before & After photos on their site as a testimonial under the heading:

“Still NOT Convinced? Take a Look at the Results of some of our Customers”

The image under the testimonial attributed to John Affleck is stolen from our web site (it’s an image that was provided to us by our lovely customer Sue G in Oct, 2008).

Here’s a screen shot from their site using Sue’s photo.

• Be aware that there are many dodgy operators out there making all sorts of claims that their eczema products work and work well.
• Be aware that some of these web sites steal photos and make up testimonials to ‘prove’ their products work.

All of the testimonials and photos on www.eczema.com.au are 100% genuine and real.

No Eczema Free Forever – We’re NOT Convinced!

As www.eczemafreeforever.com asks “Still NOT Convinced?”

No, actually we’re not because you stole the Before & After photo from our web site to prove your product works!!

Don’t use the success of our products to make yours look like they work.

That’s wrong, it’s illegal and it makes me angry.

Regards

Mel
Web Site Manager
www.eczema.com.au

P.S:  Update 6 October 2009:

I’ve been in contact with the American Holistic Health Association and their President Suzan Walter told me: