Eczema is a common skin condition impacting more than 31 million people in the United States. It's characterized by itchy, dry, scaly, and sometimes painful skin. Numerous confusions and misconceptions surround eczema, why it develops, and how to best treat it.
This article aims to debunk myths vs. current, accurate information regarding eczema and how to best deal with this manageable skin concern in adults and children.
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Myth 1: Eczema is Just a Rash
Fact: Eczema is a chronic skin condition with deeper immune system involvement. It's more than just a temporary rash and involves recurring flare-ups, inflammation, skin sensitivity, and other often irritating symptoms like itchy, bumpy, dry, scaly, or leathery skin. While eczema isn't life-threatening, some symptoms can become severe or lead to an infection.
Myth 2: Eczema is Contagious
Fact: Eczema is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person. Eczema is related to genetic factors, allergies, and immune responses rather than something contagious that spreads via air, shared surfaces, or skin-to-skin contact.
Myth 3: Eczema Only Affects Children
Fact: While common in children, eczema can persist into adulthood or develop later in life. Different forms of eczema exist, and some are more prevalent in adults. For example, eczema patches on the skin might be more dry, scaly, thick, darker, or leathery in adults.
Adults tend to develop eczema on the crooks of their elbows, the back of their knees or neck, and their faces, including the areas around their eyes.
Myth 4: People with Eczema Should Avoid Water
Fact: Proper hydration and skin moisture are crucial for managing eczematous skin, though long or hot showers may worsen symptoms. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily to stay hydrated.
Tips for managing eczema symptoms around water include showering or bathing with lukewarm water, avoiding long baths or showers, using gentle cleansers, and moisturizing immediately after showering or bathing.
Myth 5: Diet Has No Impact on Eczema
Fact: Certain foods can trigger or worsen eczema flare-ups for some individuals. Common dietary trigger foods include dairy, eggs, peanuts, and gluten. An elimination diet (under medical supervision) may help ease eczema flare-ups by determining the most problematic foods.
Myth 6: Eczema Can Be Cured
Fact: Eczema has no cure but can be effectively managed with the right treatment plan. Lifestyle adjustments and, when needed, medical intervention can alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of new flare-ups long-term, but there isn't a way to completely cure eczema. Some children outgrow eczema or have fewer symptoms as they reach puberty.
Myth 7: Eczema is Caused by Poor Hygiene
Fact: Eczema is not related to cleanliness but is influenced by genetic, environmental, and immune factors.
While there is stigma and stress associated with the myth that poor hygiene causes eczema, over-cleaning by using harsh personal hygiene products can actually worsen eczema symptoms. For example, studies show that hand washing at least 8-10 times daily increases the risk of hand eczema.
Myth 8: Only Expensive Products Can Treat Eczema
Fact: Many affordable skincare products can effectively manage eczema symptoms. Examples of budget-friendly options, such as drugstore moisturizers and ointments (many of which dermatologists recommend to patients with eczema), include:
- Eczema lotions and moisturizers (aloe vera, glycerin, vaseline, and mineral oil)
- Antihistamines (Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin) and pain relievers, such as Tylenol and ibuprofen
- Topical hydrocortisone creams as directed by a healthcare professional
- Shampoos containing selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, coal tar, colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, or other non-greasy ingredients
Prescription-strength options are available if over-the-counter products don't effectively ease eczema symptoms.
Common Eczema Facts Everyone Should Know
Common facts about eczema that are highly beneficial to take note of, mainly if you or a loved one struggle with irritating eczema flare-ups, include:
- Eczema affects up to 20% of children and 10% of adults.
- Stress, weather changes, and allergens are common triggers of eczema flare-ups.
- Healthy skincare habits, stress management, and avoiding triggers are essential in controlling bothersome eczema symptoms.
- In 70-90% of children with eczema, the condition subsides by adulthood.
Tips for Managing Eczema: Based on Facts, Not Myths
Practical tips for managing eczema based on facts and updated research studies include:
Moisturize Daily
Moisturize the skin at least twice daily to manage eczema symptoms. Consider creams, shea butter, petroleum jelly, ointments, or lotions to seal in moisture. For optimal results, choose unscented products.
Identify and Avoid Eczema Triggers
Eczema triggers vary from person to person and may include:
- Dry skin
- Skin infections
- Stress
- Heat
- Sweat
- Wool fabrics
- Some cleaning products
- Pet dander
- Dust mites
- Pollen
- Tobacco smoke
- Fragrances
- Dry or cold air
- Irritating chemicals
- Trigger foods, such as eggs, milk, soy, peanuts, gluten, and high-histamine foods
After identifying eczema triggers, avoid them as best you can to avoid severe or bothersome symptom flare-ups.
Manage Stress
Minimizing stress is another helpful way to manage eczema and avoid extreme symptoms effectively. Consider yoga, tai chi, meditation, mindfulness, massage, or other stress-reducing strategies. Lighten up an overly busy schedule and spend more time outdoors and on stress-reducing vacations.
Consider Nutrition and Dietary Supplements
Natural ways to help manage eczema symptoms include eating a well-balanced diet (while avoiding trigger foods) and taking dietary supplements.
Examples of supplements for eczema and alternative eczema treatments that healthcare providers may suggest because of the ability to improve gut health, lessen inflammation, enhance sleep, optimize skin health, or support immune function include:
- Collagen
- L-glutamine
- Curcumin/turmeric
- Probiotics
- Prebiotics
- Vitamin D
- Fish oil
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Primrose oil
- Melatonin
Natural topical solutions that have helped people with eczema include topical:
- Vitamin B12 cream
- Coconut oil
- Sunflower oil
Increasing organic foods, particularly vegetables and other plant-based foods low in histamine, may also reduce eczema symptoms.
Seek Professional Guidance
It's highly beneficial to seek professional help for severe or persistent cases of eczema, as lifestyle adjustments and over-the-counter products alone aren't always enough to relieve irritating symptoms.
Medical professionals may suggest one or more of the following eczema interventions if necessary:
- Antihistamines
- Antifungals
- Antibiotics
- Corticosteroids
- Immunosuppressive medications
- Phototherapy
During phototherapy, the skin is exposed to specific wavelengths of ultraviolet light to lessen itching and inflammation.
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Key Takeaways
- Common myths regarding eczema include: It is just a rash, it is contagious, only children get eczema, people with eczema should avoid water, diet doesn't affect eczema, it can be cured, it is caused by poor hygiene, and only expensive products help manage eczema.
- Facts about eczema include: Eczema has deep immune system involvement, it is not contagious, adults can experience it, warm water exposure to eczema doesn't cause problems, diet can affect flare-ups, there is no cure, it is not caused by poor hygiene, and inexpensive eczema products can ease bothersome or embarrassing symptoms.
- Natural remedies for eczema include stress management techniques, avoiding trigger foods and harsh substances, dietary supplements, and natural topical eczema solutions.
- It's vital to rely on credible sources for eczema management and consult with a healthcare professional for accurate, updated information.
- Thoroughly understanding eczema can improve the management of this common skin condition and enhance overall quality of life.
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