[Lifestyle] 3 Ways to Help Relieve Eczema

It's a pretty nasty ordeal living with eczema, especially when skin flares up for a few days at a time! Being aware of the causes of this, and avoiding them, can be really helpful: soaps, detergents, stress and even the weather can cause a bad outbreak. If you're a sufferer of this irritating condition, take a look at these few tips that will hopefully make life a little easier and a little less itchy.

For people like me who have eczema on their hands, here's the first tip!

1) Skip the washing up
Find the silver lining of this grey cloud by using it as the perfect excuse to invest in a dishwasher. Washing up liquids have harsh chemicals in them that are definitely no good for delicate hands. If it can cut through grease, think what it can do to your skin. There are loads of designs to fit your lifestyle, budget and decor, from freestanding to integrated dishwashers. You can usually pick up good models at reasonable prices at retailers like Tesco. Just be sure to slip on some rubber gloves when you pop the tablet in and take out the washed items, in case of any residue.

2) Look at your diet
Some foods can trigger eczema but others are also said to soothe it, so it's worth trying out. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which helps enable our bodies to grow new skin and prevent inflammation! Yoghurt with live cultures has good bacteria that helps the immune system. This in turn produces more white blood cells to prevent the body from reacting badly to allergies. Oolang tea is an Eastern remedy that the Japanese say gives them relief. It might be an idea to keep a food diary for a few weeks to see if you spot a pattern between certain foods and flare-ups.

3) Choose clothes carefully
A woolen jumper or synthetic dress will only irritate your skin, so look at the labels closely on your next shopping trip. Clothes ideally should be made of natural fibers (not blended!) like cotton, silk or even bamboo. Give them a gentle wash before wearing to get rid of any dye residue or coating that has come from the manufacturer. You also shouldn't wear an outfit that will make you overheat as sweating can cause conditions to worsen.

Dealing with eczema is all about being aware of what your body reacts to and how it copes with it. The main thing is to try not to stress about it! Take up yoga or put some time aside for sports or meditation: it might even help relieve your symptoms. There isn't much we can control about the weather, apart from keeping fingers crossed for sunshine.