Eczema is incredibly common, and about30 million people in the United States are affected by some form this frustrating skin condition. Butit's not always so easy to understand how to care for your eczema. When so many substancesmay trigger an eczema flare(the long listincludes certain fibers, scented detergents, pollen, pet dander, and much more)how do you deal? There are multiple types of eczema, but the condition is generally characterized by a red, itchy,inflammatory skinreaction, saysJoshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist and Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospitals Department of Dermatology. "Eczema is a condition in which the skin cannot protect itself from the environment and, as a result, becomes inflamed," he says. "The outer skin layer develops microscopic cracks in it and loses hydration, leading to disruption of the skin barrier." While your doctor may have more tailored advice based on the type of eczema you have and your specific symptoms, Dr. Zeichner says one of thebest ways to ease symptoms ofeczema is to improve hydration and reduce inflammationboth of which start with great self-care. Here, dermatologists explain exactly how to care for your sensitive eczema skin at home. RELATED: 10 Home Remedies for Eczema A person … Continue reading →

Since summer is synonymous with sunscreen, sweat, and splashing around in salt water and chlorine, it can often also mean skin flare-ups especially for those with eczema , the skin condition that causes patches of cracked, scaly skin. Many people are well aware that eczema tends to flare in the winter, but it can flare even in the summertime, Sejal Shah , M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, tells Allure . The culprits? Everything from sweaty subway rides, to romping around in the sand to sticking to your strict sunscreen routine . You May Also Like SkinI Got a Facial Every Week for a Month Here's My Before and After SkinDermatologist Tips on How to Get Rid of Blackheads In light of the fact that were officially in the heat of summer, we asked expert dermatologists how to fight an eczema flare-up without breaking a sweat. Increased sweating in the summer can definitely make your eczema flare up, particularly if you have it in the creases of your elbows or knees or on your palms, Erin Gilbert , M.D., Ph.D., Vichy consulting dermatologist and celebrity skin expert, tells Allure . Avoid being outdoors when the sun is most … Continue reading →

"Dont scratch" is probably one of the bestand worstpieces of advice an eczema patient can receive. The skin condition, which is causedby an abnormal immune reaction that results in dry, red, cracked patches of skin, is only made worse by itching. Your nails damage the skin barrier, which then ramps up inflammatory molecules that exacerbatethe itch, explains Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, assistant professor of dermatology at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. Whats more, chronic scratching may make you more susceptible to infections, since it's easier for bacteria to invade the crackedskin. But heres the rub: itching an eczema rashfeels good. "Scratching induces a short term pain response that suppresses the itch," says Dr. Silberberg. "Patients feel the short-term gain, but dont realize how it actually harms skin." Your best way to dampen down the itchis to see your doctor for treatments, prescription or over-the-counter, thataddressthe underlying problem that causes the itch. Although it may not be possible to stop itching once and for all, here are eightstrategies that may help you keep your hands off. Jeffrey S. Fromowitz, MD, a dermatologist in Boca Raton, Florida recommends holding an ice cube or cool compress on the itchy area. "The … Continue reading →

I was five years old when the first patches of eczema started appearing on my skin, but it would be another five years before I was officiallydiagnosed. At first, no one knew what the rash was. Even the doctors weren'tmuch help; they prescribed me all kinds of creams, but nothing worked. When I look back now, Im not sure if the doctors were stumped,or if they simply were havingtrouble communicating with my mother (at the time, her English wasn'tvery strong). When the medications didn'twork, my mom tried home remedies. She would rub aloe vera on my skin, and I vaguely remember drinking something that was made of seeds.Neither worked. It wasn'tuntil I was 10 years oldat which point the patches had spread to my arms, legs, and facethat I sawa dermatologist, who gave me a shot. I cant remember what the shot was; the memory is kind of fuzzy, but I do recall that my skin got better afterward. I also left with a prescription for cortisone cream and the name of the condition that had been plaguingme for years: eczema. My eczema was bad when I was young, but my middle-school years weremuch worse. There were times during my … Continue reading →