Eczema treatment is known to be unsuccessful. Unfortunately, when you see your doctor or even dermatologist asking for eczema treatment options the answer is: “there are no treatments for eczema. Use topical creams and ask for prescription antibiotics and steroids during flare-ups.” For more than 30 million Americans with atopic dermatitis (AD), eczema is more than just an inflammatory skin condition; it is a life-changing condition that affects all aspects of daily life. If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that everyday life can be challenging enough without having to deal with the complexities of a chronic illness.

Now that 2020 is behind us (phew!), We’re ready to welcome 2021 with eczema under control. We spoke with several professionals to compile 20 of the best lifestyle and health guidelines that can make managing AD and all its related issues easier. From practical tips and smart strategies to free resources and helpful apps, this list will arm you and enable you to live better with eczema and find the way for eczema treatment.

In other words, # BringItOn2021! We won’t let eczema get in our way this year.

Eczema Lifestyle Hacks – an essential part of any natural eczema treatment

Managing the daily burdens of a disease like eczema can quickly become overwhelming. How can you realistically balance skincare routines, sleep schedules, doctor’s appointments, healthy diet, and exercise, drinking lots of water and avoiding the triggers of eczema, and still leave some precious time for yourself at the end of the day? It’s not easy!

Try these lifestyle tips to make every day easier while living with eczema.

Commit to a regular routine.

Following a daily skincare routine that works for your skin and schedule is the first step in taking control of AD.

“Creating a decent routine and sticking to it is one of the countless secrets to keeping eczema under control,” says Victor Tsan, MD, Medical Director of the Philadelphia Holistic Clinic. “A routine rinse of the eczema spots or warm baths using mild body wash and shampoo, along with topical use of high-quality body gels and skin conditioners twice a day, dodging known triggers, and a healthy nap can help to keep your skin clear.”

While each person may have their own specific daily skincare regimen, the key is consistency – even if their symptoms fluctuate. Although rashes may require extra attention, don’t take a day off for skincare when symptoms subside.

“Be proactive rather than reactive,” says Victor Tsan, MD. “Keep your eczema rash under control, even if your skin appears healthy, to avoid a crisis”.

To make your daily routine more rewarding, look for ways to perform various tasks during treatment. For example, says Dr. Tsasn, a bleach bath two to three times a week can help reduce itching, while giving you some “time for me” to relax in the bathtub.

Examine each product that touches your skin.

Finding products to soothe your sensitive skin can be challenging. Because eczema affects each person differently, a product that brings relief to another person may not work as well for you.

If you know you are allergic to certain ingredients, check product labels carefully before buying. Look for the NEA Seal of Acceptance ™ (SOA) to make sure you are purchasing products that do not contain any ingredients or contents known to irritate sensitive skin. The SOA Product Directory can make it easier to find eczema-safe skincare products, cleansers, clothing, and other household items.

When you try a new product for the first time, apply a dab the size of a pea to the skin on the inside of your wrist or elbow. Watch for reactions such as redness, rash, or rash over the next two days before continuing to use.

Search the SOA Product Directory: https://nationaleczema.org/eczema-products/.

Track your triggers – prevention is the best form of natural eczema treatment.

Beware of triggers that could exacerbate your eczemas, such as stress, certain foods, or environmental irritants like pets or extreme temperatures. Paying attention to the factors that impact your eczema is essential for managing the condition on a daily basis.

Some patients keep diaries to track their skin’s reactions to various triggers, but carrying a notebook around can be a challenge. Now a new app from NEA called EczemaWise makes it even easier to keep track of everything in one place.

“EczemaWise was designed to help patients track eczema symptoms, as well as other aspects of their lives that may have an impact, such as sleep and food,” says Dr. Tsan, who was a consultant on the app’s development. “We believe that many folks that suffer from eczema and their healthcare providers will benefit from better recognizing the anatomy and physiology of their skin, and it will ultimately help them get better.”

The EczemaWise app includes tools to track eczema symptoms (such as itching, pain, and skin appearance) and triggers (such as stress, diet, and the environment), as well as sleep and treatment schedules.

Download the NEA EczemaWise app: https://www.eczemawise.org/.

See an eczema specialist.

While many primary care physicians are comfortable observing patients with eczema, “seeing an eczema specialist can be important,” says Victor Tsan, “as they tend to have a more holistic view of the condition. In addition, if symptoms require more severe treatment, you may need a specialist to receive these treatments.”

Enter your zip code in the vendor search engine on the NEA website to find healthcare professionals near you who specialize in treating AD and related conditions such as asthma and other allergies.

“Eczema specialists have the expertise to develop a more comprehensive treatment plan by combining different treatment options,” Victor Tsan, MD says. “Numerous eczema experts (physicians, scientists, researchers, etc.) work as an interdisciplinary crew to accomplish more understanding than just the dermal part of eczema.”

Search the NEA supplier finder: https://nationaleczema.org/eczema-doctors-near-me/.

Prepare for visits to the doctor.

Instead of coming unprepared for appointments, take an active part in your treatment plan by working closely with your healthcare team. Keep your professionals informed of changes in symptoms, treatments, and other lifestyle factors so they can adapt their recommendations.

Dr. Tsan recommends that patients prepare for their appointment by taking:

List of products, therapies, and drugs that you use;
A one-page summary of your symptoms illustrated with relevant pictures of your skin;
And most importantly, Dr. Tsan says: “Open mind and willingness to work with the doctor as part of the team”

Explore the mind-body connection.

Treating the full spectrum of AD symptoms often requires a multi-faceted approach. To supplement your prescribed eczema medication, discuss with your doctor the integration of other therapies such as traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, massage therapy, yoga, or meditation.

While medical research is lacking for some of these complementary treatments, many patients report many benefits ranging from stress management, better sleep, and even clearer skin. “There is some evidence that hypnosis and other techniques can help both the stress component as well as eczema itself,” Tsan says.

As always, it’s important to discuss your treatment plan with your doctor before trying any new therapies. “There are countless efficient and harmless alternatives and natural approaches to eczema,” says Dr. Tsan, the founding director of the Philadelphia Holistic Clinic. “Just trying things out for yourself can lead to problems, and can often be costly and frustrating, which is why having an experienced guide really helps.”

Discover balancing, harmonizing, and alternative natural eczema treatment options:https://nationaleczema.org/topic-cam/.

Lock in moisture with a damp wrap – popular natural eczema treatment.

“One of my favorite natural eczema treatment techniques is wet wrapping,” says Tsan. “After you shower or bathe, apply plenty of moisturizer or medicine, then apply a damp layer. This can be a gauze, cloth, shirt, or even a whole body, e.g. B. long underwear or a romper that is dipped in water and then wrung out to keep it damp. Finally, apply a warm, dry layer, e.g. B. sweatshirt or sweatpants to keep you warm. The moist layer moisturizes the skin and allows it to heal for several hours or even overnight. “

Keep cool during exercise.

“Physical training for eczema patients can be a balancing act,” says Leo. “Rubbing, abrasion, and sweat aggravate many people, but the reputation of exercises is hard to ignore for general health and wellness.”

Try these gym tips to get the importance of exercise without irritating your eczema:

Dress correctly: “Clothes that are light, soft, and breathable will help you stay cool,” says Leo. “Loose cotton is generally one of the best.”
Stay relaxed: “Applying a cold compress or mineral water spray can quickly reduce skin temperature during or after exercise,” he says.
Preventing itching: “If you experience itching during exercise, consider taking antihistamines that do not cause drowsiness an hour before exercise,” Shi suggests.
Moisturizing: “Moisturizing before and after your workout can not only moisturize but also protect your skin,” says Leo, so be sure to throw a bottle of moisturizer into your gym bag.

Stay hydrated – mandatory component of any natural eczema treatment.

Whether you’re exercising or sitting at a desk, drinking plenty of water throughout the day is one of the easiest health habits to adopt. “Staying hydrated is important for everyone and can be especially important for patients with eczema,” Victor Tsan says. “The actual amount needed varies a lot from person to person, but a good rule of thumb is that urine should be clear or very light in color. This is a good way to know that you are getting enough water. ” Hydration is one of the essential parts of any natural eczema treatments.

Distract your hands from scratches.

We all know how to avoid scratching, which can further damage the leather. But if you manage to distract yourself with other pleasurable activities, you may forget about itching altogether.

“Art projects that assume handicrafts are very good at diverting you and keeping you occupied – and that means no scratching!” Victor Tsan, MD says. “Working with stones, sand, and soil, performing origami and sketching are all great ways to take your attention off eczema.”

Additionally, several studies have shown that the act of making art can reduce stress, so finding a creative hands-on hobby can actually be a therapeutic form of self-care.

Set a bedtime ritual – a good and healthy nap is always a part of natural eczema treatment.

If persistent itch keeps you up in the night time, it can be difficult to get a good nap that you desperately need to recharge your body. “prepare yourself to a healthy regular night sleep routine,” Dr. Tsan says. That means:

Shut down: “Do not use your computer, tablets, and mobile phones no less than one hour before going to bed,” Dr. Tsan recommends.
Let your skin rest and comfort: Dr. Tsan proposes to moisturize your skin by using topical medicines within an hour before you’re going to bed om order to relieve skin rash and itching overnight.
Cool your skin down: “Keep the temperature at the level from 66 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit,” Tsan says, “and don’t wear too much clothing to bed to prevent sweating.”
Calm down and relax: “Relaxing music often used for meditations and Swedish massage can help,” Victor Tsan, MD says.

Connect with other eczema warriors and share your experience in natural eczema treatment.

Perhaps the greatest instruction of all is to keep in mind that you are not alone in your daily eczema expedition. “There are so many people who suffer from eczema,” says Dr. Tsan, “and most importantly, so many people who are there to help”.

Start connecting in the eczema community by getting involved with NEA @NationalEczema on Instagram and Facebook. Also, subscribe to our eNews on NationalEczema.org to find out more about events and other opportunities to meet eczema colleagues.

Fight for your rights as an eczema warrior.

Whenever you feel overwhelmed by the financial and administrative burdens of managing eczema, remember that you are not alone! More than 31.6 million Americans are facing the same struggles and figuring out clever ways to overcome common obstacles. Join local and virtual communities of eczema fighters to compare knowledge, experiences, and ideas, raise the awareness of the burdens of eczema and advocate enhanced access to inexpensive, safe, and effective natural eczema treatments.

Connect with NEA to find ways you can get involved in advocacy efforts to shape healthcare policies that impact people living with eczema. Keep in mind that you can join the NEA Ambassadors program to get affianced in promotion, public, and study initiatives to spread more knowledge of eczema’s influence on daily living.

Conclusion on natural eczema treatments

Eczema is a serious medical condition that significantly decreases the degree of quality of life. While allopathic medicine doesn’t have an answer to how to treat eczema there are some holistic and naturopathic approaches that proved their effectiveness and harmless. The natural eczema treatments may include the use of Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and of course eczema diet. All these forms of natural eczema treatments are available at the Philadelphia Holistic Treatment where licensed practitioners work under the supervision of Victor Tsan, MD.

To schedule your initial holistic evaluation with Dr. Tsan contact our clinic (267) 284-3085 or use our online scheduling application.