If you suffer from eczema, you are probably wondering what you can do to find relief. Eczema can be very painful and unattractive. This is why it is so important to treat the problem early on to avoid reoccurring problems. Luckily, there are some things you can do at home to manage your eczema. Here are some suggestions.

1. Test for Food Allergies

Ideally, you should determine the cause of your eczema. Some people have a skin abnormality that causes them to get the eczema, but in many cases, the eczema is caused by a food allergy. It is very common to get skin rashes and eczema if you are allergic to milk or other foods. For this reason, you may want watch for other signs of food allergies or get allergy testing. If you are unable to get tested for food allergies, start by doing an elimination diet. This will help determine which foods are causing the problems. You should stay off a certain food for at least a couple weeks so it can really get out of your system before you determine if it is affecting your skin. If you can identify a food that is causing the problem, you can completely get rid of your eczema.

2. Use Only Creams, Not Lotions

Lotions are great for moisturizing people's skin that do not have serious skin problems, but eczema can become irritated with lotion and get worse with the more lotion that you put on. Instead, you should only use a thick cream that is designed specifically for eczema. This cream should help to hold in the moisture without irritating the skin. It should also be free of perfumes and other additives.

3. Avoid Hot Showers and Baths

Although hot showers and baths might feel good on your skin, once you are out of the bath, it will make the eczema worse. The hot water breaks and dries out the skin, which is terrible for eczema. This is why you should try to bathe in warm water, and only do it every couple days. Try not to shower every day, as this will make the skin worse.

Once you do get out of the shower or bath, make sure that you moisturize your entire body, especially the affected area. This will help heal any irritation that occurred from the water.

By doing these simple things you can manage your eczema. You may also want to consider getting eczema treatment from a local specialist, such as Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center PS, to help you better manage your condition.