I grew up with eczema. My skin has always been dry and now, as an adult, I have to manage it. When I was at primary school, it was horrible getting bullied. Some days my skin was that bad, particularly my arms, I had to wear moist support bandages. That definitely motivated the bullies.
Just before I went on chemotherapy, the eczema on my leg got infected. This turned into an abscess, whilst I was on cancer treatment, as my body struggled to fight infections.
I have also always enjoyed water. Any opportunity I get to go swimming, sailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding or kayaking I will. However, water always irritates my skin. My whole life I have built strategies to manage it. I won’t let any condition determine what I can and can’t do!
Here are my top tips that help me avoid an outbreak of eczema:
1) Moisturise!
When my eczema just kept spreading with nasty red patches, I got fed up. It took a bit of experimenting but overtime I found that if I moisturise twice a day, in the morning and at night, my skin improved. I also realised that I was underestimating how much cream I needed to put on.
In the morning I use a cream called Diprobase and at night use Doublebase Gel. I find Diprobase more resistant to sweat and water but for me it is not as moisturising as Doublebase Gel though I do not like using this for daytime use. I also use USANA skincare products.
I recognised that when my skin got slightly better, I would start relaxing my routine, but then over time my skin would gradually become worse. So the vicious circle would start again. I then had to start using steroid creams, which I never like doing. With regular use your body can get more resilient but steroids may also damage your skin. Instead, I make sure I stick to my routine which I find usually prevents my skin getting so bad.
2) Diet
No matter if I get everything else right, if I get this wrong I will notice it by the next day.
If I eat or drink too much refined sugar this really upsets my skin which is why I have mostly cut this out of my diet. There are lots of different foods and drinks that can aggravate your skin. If you think you have a problem speak to your doctor and asks for an allergy test.
3) Avoid Using Certain Fabrics
I find wool products can make my skin itchy. I always try my best to wear cotton. Also, watch what you wash your clothes in, I use non-bio detergent.
4) Avoid Using Dry Soaps and Shampoo
Most soaps and shampoos upset my skin. I have found only a handful that work for me.
I love using Avena Bath Oil. Unfortunately, my local NHS have recently taken it off the list due to cost. I now use USANA shower gel. I love this product and it’s not that much more than Avena!
5) Temperature
I am very grateful that I have been able to travel but changes in weather do massively impact my skin. I find that in the summer, as the weather becomes hotter, my skin gets dryer. Being an outdoor person, increases this problem. I will cover myself up and always put factor 50 sun cream on and will have cooler showers. Try reducing the temperature of the shower water it might help.
At night, instead of having one thick duvet, I have layers of bedding so I can control my body temperature. I try to keep the room cool. This helps my skin and prevents me from inching so much. It aids the natural body circadian rhythm.
I find that exercising in the morning or evening helps my skin too as normally its cooler.
What you put on your skin matters. Some things will get absorbed into your body and bloodstream. So whatever products you choose to use, check they don’t have any chemicals that might irritate your skin.
أنابيب البولي بيوتيلين في العراق يتخصص مصنع إيليت بايب في أنابيب البولي بيوتيلين من الطراز الأول، التي تشتهر بمرونتها وخفة وزنها ومقاومتها للتآكل. هذه الأنابيب خيار ممتاز لمجموعة متنوعة من التطبيقات، بما في ذلك أنظمة السباكة السكنية والتجارية. كأحد أكثر المصانع موثوقية وابتكارًا في العراق، يضمن مصنع إيليت بايب أن أنابيب البولي بيوتيلين الخاصة بنا تلتزم بأعلى معايير الجودة، مما يوفر حلولاً طويلة الأمد وفعالة. اكتشف المزيد عن أنابيب البولي بيوتيلين لدينا على elitepipeiraq.com.