Dealing with eczema is hard enough on its own. But because the skin conditionwhich causes an itchy, red, painful rashis so visible, people with eczema often also have to cope with insensitive comments from those around them. As a result, the condition can take a real emotional toll in addition to the already-frustrating physical symptoms. "[Eczema] really doesn't help in terms of the patient's emotional wellbeing and confidence," says Gil Yosipovitch, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and author of Living With Itch ($19; amazon.com). We asked people to weigh in on how you can be more thoughtful when it comes to talking about skin symptoms (if you have to say anything at all). Here, five things you should never say to someone with eczema (or any skin condition, for that matter). Karina, 24, a medical student in Brooklyn, N.Y. who has had eczema since she was a child, tells us she was asked this question often growing up. "It's really a frustrating thing when you're a kid, and you don't even understand it much [yourself]," she says. "It's really hard to be confident." Eczema is not contagious. Although experts don't know exactly … Continue reading →

Who doesn't love beauty tips? From makeup tutorials and skin care solutions to hairstyle inspo, the HOW-TOs are all you need to get from beauty rut to head-to-toe renewal. From finding the perfect red lipstick to nailing your eye makeup, learn how to apply makeup like a true professional (yes, flawless smokey eye makeup or the elusive natural makeup look is finally within reach). When it comes to nails, weve nailed it. Whether you're a nail art fan, cant go past acrylic nails or adore a classic French manicure with nuder-than-nude nail polish, our step by step HOW-TOs and trend round ups have you covered. Hairstyles can be particularly hard to master - so we have the definitive edit of short hairstyles and stunning hairstyles for long hair, wedding hairstyles, bob hairstyles and easy hairstyles - perfect for giving yourself a fresh new look. And since we get that choosing the best cosmetics can be daunting, we have done the legwork for you so you can confidently shop for skin care like a Facialist. Finally, since we know beauty begins on the inside we have collated our favourite health and fitness tips including healthy recipes and super healthy snacks with … Continue reading →

Eczema is a skin condition that can occur anywhere on the body, leading to itchy, red patches of skin that may become cracked or have blisters. The condition is frustrating wherever it occurs, whether on the arms, back, or hands. But eczema can be especially painful and debilitating when it appears on the face. Take it from social media star and fitness expert Carys Gray, who bravely shared a photo on Instagram last February to convey how serious an eczema flare-up on the face can be. Gray's photo showed a side-by-side comparison of her skin on a "normal" day versus how it looks in the middle of a bad flare. "When my eczema isnt under control, its very blotchy, sore, and I cant wear any makeup," Gray told her followers. She added that she hoped her photo would act as a reminder that things aren't always what they seem on social media. In a more recent post, the Instagram star shared another side-by-side photo of her face before and during an eczema flare. "Eczema (or any insecurity) is such a small part of my life and I shouldn't allow it to control me," she wrote. It can be difficult to … Continue reading →

Id been eyeing the dress for a while. It was a red T-shirt dress with a simple cut and short sleeves, just as Id imagined it. Id been looking for a dress like this for ages, bored with all the dark colors in my wardrobe; this dress would liven up my style considerably. But I knew I wouldnt buy it. It was probably too expensive, I told myself, and I bet they wouldnt carry my size anyway. Still, I needed proof that this dress wasnt meant for me, so I went inside the shop and touched it. It was just as I expected. The rough fabric was a shock to my fingers, and I knew it would be hell on the rest of my skin. This was not the first piece of clothing I couldnt buy because of my skin condition. It wouldnt be the last. I have atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema. The National Eczema Association estimates that over 30 million Americans are affected by this skin condition. Symptoms include dry, itchy skin and rashes, which range from slightly annoying to basically hell. Eczema comes in several types, the most popular being contact eczema, and thats exactly the … Continue reading →

If you have eczema, I bet youre willing to do just about anything to soothe your itchy, irritated skin. Unfortunately, many of the topical remedies for this condition offer little relief. But an inside-out approach" focused on dietary changes may help considerably. If you search for eczema diet online youll find a number of different protocols. But the standard approach is to begin with an elimination diet, which entails cutting out foods that may be triggering inflammation for at least four weeks, sometimes longer. Most elimination diets start by nixing the top eight allergens: wheat; milk and milk products (think cheese and yogurt); eggs; soy; fish; shellfish; tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, pistachios); and peanuts. However, an elimination diet for eczema typically adds additional layers, such as all sugary and processed foods and anything artificial; gluten or possibly all grains; alcohol; caffeine; nightshade vegetables; seeds; and foods that are high in histamine. Histamine causes an inflammatory response in the body, which is why anti-histamine medications are used for allergy relief. Some foods are high in histamine or trigger histamine release, including avocado, tomatoes, spinach, pickled or canned foods, pulses, nuts, cheese, chocolate, and vinegar. RELATED: 15 Healthy Gluten-Free Recipes By this … Continue reading →

GETTY There are six million people in the UK suffering from eczema - also known as atopic dermatitis - which are a set of chronic skin conditions triggered by inflammation. Similarly, there are an estimated 1.8 million people with psoriasis, or red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales. However, a new study says that while the two skin diseases may seem similar at first, what they have in common is only skin deep. The research published in the journal Nature Communications found that they are actually very different. GETTY While eczema is driven by an allergic reaction, psoriasis is considered an autoimmune disease. While eczema is driven by an allergic reaction, psoriasis is considered an autoimmune disease. However, the researchers were able to pinpoint a common driver of inflammation in both conditions. This new information could help them target a treatment. They discovered that TWEAK, a protein related to tumour necrosis factor, is responsible for fuelling inflammation in both. Getty Images/Cultura RF 1 of 9 Resist the itch - Eczema is almost always itchy no matter where it occurs on the body and although it may be tempting to scratch affected areas of the skin, this should … Continue reading →

May 22, 2017 TWEAK regulates inflammation in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Left: Normal skin. Middle: Skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis. Right: Blocking TWEAK reduces skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis. Credit: Courtesy of Dr. Daniel Sidler, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology Superficially, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis may appear similar but their commonalities are only skin deep. Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is primarily driven by an allergic reaction, while psoriasis is considered an autoimmune disease. Nevertheless, researchers at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology were able to pinpoint a common driver of skin inflammation in both diseases. Their findings, published in the May 22, 2017 issue of Nature Communications, showed that TWEAK, a protein related to tumor necrosis factor (TNF), plays a major role in inducing pro-inflammatory signaling molecules that recruit immune cells to the skin. TNF is already a drug target in psoriasis. "Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are two distinct diseases that are induced by alternate immune responses and the factors involved are quite different," explains Michael Croft, Ph.D., professor and head in the Division of Immune Regulation, who led the research. "Showing that TWEAK is a critical mediator in both conditions, makes it a potential … Continue reading →

By Kristin Canning Eczema is a skin condition that shows up as itchy, dry, red patches, and can result in peeling, blisters, and sores. According to the National Eczema Association, it affects more than 30 million Americans. Eczema tends to show up in childhood, usually on the cheeks, chin, elbows, or knees, and symptoms usually lessen over time. Still, some people will have eczema as they grow older, and adults can develop it as well. Its tricky to narrow down exactly what causes eczema, since there are so many different forms of the condition, and different triggers can exacerbate each type. For example, allergens such as pet dander or pollen could cause the irritating rash appear, or it could be linked to other health conditions such as high blood pressure. For most forms, the cause isnt clear and its linked to a combination of factors. What researchers do know, however, is that the most common form of eczema, atopic dermatitis (AD), seems to be passed down in families, says Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. Its also part of the atopic triad, three common conditions that are linked together (though they may not necessarily show up in … Continue reading →