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5 Life Hacks to Deal with Severe Eczema

If you have severe eczema, you probably know your local drug store’s topical cream and lotion aisle like the back of your hand. But while you may still be struggling for relief, you can at least rest assured knowing that close to 18 million other Americans are also dealing with severe eczema and the unbearable need to scratch.

Here are 5 life hacks to help you keep your severe eczema under control.

1. Go coconuts for coconut oil.

Some studies have shown that coconut oil is one of the best choices for those dealing with severe eczema. You can even boost its effectiveness by using it both externally and internally. Apply virgin coconut oil several times a day on your affected skin, just like any moisturizing cream. You can also try swapping your go-to cooking oil for this delicious alternative.

2. Bathe with bleach.

You may think that bleach is only good for keeping your whites their whitest, but research shows a capful may be good for those with severe eczema too. The chemicals in bleach work to decrease the bacteria on the outer layers of your skin. Try soaking for 10 minutes in a tubful of warm water with ½ cup of bleach. It may help you better manage your next flare-up.

3. Hydrate your skin with a humidifier.

Humidifiers help keep moisture levels in a room constant, and aren’t just for kids dealing with the sniffles. Running a humidifier while you sleep may reduce some of your overnight itchiness. Buy a cool mist humidifier for optimal comfort and relief.

4. Be good to your gut.

Your gut’s main job is to break down food, and when you think about everything that you eat in a day, that’s a whole lot of stuff to process! Eczema is an autoimmune disease, so treating it starts from the inside out. Try incorporating more probiotic-rich foods into your daily diet. Yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha are all good choices. The same goes for bone broth and other gelatin-rich foods.

5. Trim your nails.

No matter how hard you try, there are going to be times that you accidentally start scratching. But doing so can peel away the outer layers of your skin, leading to infections, bleeding, and further irritations. By keeping your nails short, you can quite literally cut back on the amount of harm you’re causing by scratching your itchy skin.

There you have it: 5 life hacks that can help you get relief from your severe eczema. While managing your condition can be painful, these tips and remedies will help bring you some much-needed relief.

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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin condition that affects close to 18 million people. It’s characterized by dry skin and a persistent itch.

Finding a good prevention and treatment plan for AD is essential for managing symptoms. Untreated AD will continue to itch and lead to more scratching. Once you start scratching, you’re at greater risk of infection.

Effective treatment can help you maintain a higher quality of life and get better sleep. Both are essential for reducing stress, which can lead to increased flare-ups.

While there isn’t a cure for AD, there are different treatment options. These range from over-the-counter (OTC) products, prescription medications, and phototherapy.

Over-the-counter products

Many of the treatment options for AD are available without a prescription.

Moisturizers

Moisturizing the skin is one of the simplest and most effective AD treatments. To relieve the dry skin caused by AD, you must add moisture to the skin. The best way to do this is to apply a moisturizer immediately after bathing, while the skin is still damp.

OTC moisturizers are a good long-term treatment solution. There are three different types of moisturizers:

Lotions

Lotions are the lightest moisturizers. Lotion is a mix of water and oil that you can easily spread over the skin. However, the water in lotion evaporates quickly, so it may not be the best choice for severe AD.

Creams

A cream is a semisolid mixture of oil and water. The oil content is higher in cream than in lotion. Creams are more emollient than lotion, meaning that they better hydrate the skin. Creams are a great daily moisturizing option for chronically dry skin.

Ointments

Ointments are semisolid greases with very high oil content and much less water than lotions and creams. Ointments are very moisturizing and should only have a few ingredients.

The simplest ointment is petroleum jelly, which only has one ingredient. This makes ointments a good option for those with sensitive skin. Because these formulations feel greasy on the skin, it might be best to apply them before bed.

Topical steroids

For short-term treatment, low potency topical corticosteroids are available over the counter. Low-strength hydrocortisone creams (Cortaid, Nutracort) are available at most drugstores and grocery stores.

You can apply hydrocortisone immediately after you moisturize your skin. It’s most effective for treating a flare-up.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends treating the affected area twice daily. Topical corticosteroids are not for long-term use. Instead, the AAD recommends occasional preventative use. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of using hydrocortisone one to two times per week on areas prone to flare-ups.

Oral antihistamines

OTC oral antihistamines can supplement topical treatment of AD. According to the AAD, studies on the efficacy of antihistamines are mixed. Antihistamines aren’t generally recommended as a stand-alone treatment.

However, antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can help manage the itch-scratch cycle. The slight sedative effect may also help if your itching keeps you awake at night.

Prescription medications

If you’re still fighting flares with OTC options, your doctor might write you a prescription. There are different types of prescription medications used to treat AD.

Prescription topical steroids

Most topical steroids are available only by prescription. Topical steroids are grouped by potency. They range from class 1 (strongest) to class 7 (least potent). Most of the more potent topical steroids aren’t suitable for children, so always consult with your child’s doctor first.

Topical steroids may be prepared as lotions, creams, or ointments that are applied to the skin. Like with moisturizers, ointments might be the best option if creams tend to cause burning or stinging.

Topical calcineurin inhibitors

Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs) are a relatively new class of anti-inflammatory drug. They do not contain steroids. Yet they’re effective in treating the rash and itching caused by AD.

There are two prescription TCIs on the market today: pimecrolimus (Elidel) and tacrolimus (Protopic).

In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added a black box warning label to the packaging of these two medications. The warning alerts consumers of a possible link between TCIs and cancer.

The FDA admits that it will take decades of research to determine if there’s an actual proven risk. In the meantime, the FDA recommends that these medications only be used as second-line treatment options.

If your doctor determines that your AD isn’t responding to other treatments, they may consider short-term treatment with TCIs.

Oral medications

Topical prescriptions are the most common and most studied treatment for AD. On occasion, your doctor may prescribe oral medications such as:

  • oral corticosteroids for widespread, severe, and resistant AD
  • cyclosporine or interferon for severe AD
  • antibiotics if you develop a bacterial skin infection

Phototherapy

Phototherapy refers to treatment with light. Treatment with narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) light is the most common form of phototherapy for AD patients. Treatment with NB-UVB eliminates the skin damaging risks of ultraviolet A (UVA) light from sun exposure.

Phototherapy is a good second-line option if you aren’t responding to more standard treatment. It can also be used for maintenance treatment.

Cost and accessibility are two of the biggest detractors. You would need access to phototherapy treatment two to three times per week. This may require significant travel time and cost.

Takeaway

With all of these treatment options, you should be optimistic that you will find a way to manage your symptoms. Talk to your doctor about creating the best AD treatment plan for you. If your doctor writes you a new prescription, make sure to ask questions about proper use.