Eczema Ointment

Eczema is a skin condition that causes patches of skin to become dry, flaky, irritated and cracked.

It usually affects the front and back of knees and elbows, but it can occur on any part of the body.

Eczema tends to first occur in childhood and is a long-term skin condition that can cause discomfort, but some people find that they grow out of it as they get older.

Certain irritants and germs can cause symptoms of eczema to worsen, so it is essential that you keep your skin clean and hydrated.

There is no cure for eczema, but there are several steps you can take to help manage your skin:

• Moisturise your skin - use moisturisers, ointments or lotions that contain emollients to lock in moisture, prevent your skin from drying out and reducing the need to itch
• Avoid itching - itching the skin can cause germs to infect the skin, making symptoms worse
• Avoid long, hot showers/baths - hot water dries out the skin
• Use a soap substitute - harsh soaps can strip the skin of its natural moisture which can exacerbate symptoms of eczema
• Use an emollient bath oil - it will prevent your skin from drying out in bathing and can help to manage symptoms of eczema

If your eczema is severe speak to your doctor, who can prescribe a suitable treatment.

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Eczema and psoriasis are both common skin conditions that can easily be confused with each other.

The symptoms are similar and they can both appear in similar parts of the body.

The differences between these two conditions can be subtle.

Eczema causes red, inflamed skin that is usually extremely itchy.

Psoriasis usually causes well-defined patches of redness and the skin is thicker and more inflamed than with eczema, with more of a burning sensation than just an itch.

Eczema usually appears on parts of the body that bend, like the inner elbow, behind the knees, wrists, ankles, or on your neck.

Psoriasis often shows up on the palms of your hands, your elbows, knees, scalp, face, lower back, or on the soles of the feet.

Psoriasis is a dry skin condition which is similar to eczema in a lot of ways but causes slightly different symptoms.

When you have a flare-up of psoriasis you’ll experience red, flaky, irritated skin which is covered in silvery scales.

Psoriasis causes an increase in the production of your skin cells, and this build-up is what causes the silvery scales that are a tell-tale sign of this condition.

Psoriasis is a chronic condition which does not currently have a cure, but it can be managed with treatments like Betnovate, other topical steroids, and vitamin D.

Eczema is common in children, although they often grow out of it as they grow older.

This is why many parents look for eczema treatments that are suitable for their child’s delicate skin.

Brands like QV, Aveeno, Child’s Farm, and Oilatum have skincare ranges that are suitable for children and babies with sensitive skin, including moisturisers, emollients, bath additives, soaps, and body washes.

At this moment in time, atopic eczema can’t be cured, although I’m sure that many eczema sufferers (myself included) wish it could be!

However, you can try to avoid the irritants that cause your eczema and there are treatments available which can help to make your flare-ups more manageable when they do happen.

Some of the most popular treatments for eczema are creams and ointments, which can be applied to the area to hydrate your skin and reduce your symptoms.

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