Eczema and Dry Skin

How to avoid an Eczema flare and keep your skin healthy

  1. Shower/bathe in lukewarm water only (NOT hot or cold water).
  2. Avoid use of oils, bubble baths, fragrances or other bath additives to your bath tub.
  3. Avoid soap. Soap is very harsh and drying.
  4. Use a gentle cleanser instead (see below). Cleanser is only required in the underarms, groin, buttocks and feet. Water alone is fine to clean all other areas of the body.
  5. PAT dry the skin with a cotton towel. Do NOT wipe the skin.
  6. Immediately after patting dry the skin, apply a moisturizer to all dry areas of your skin. This helps to lock in the moisture obtained from your bath.
  7. Use a non-irritating, fragrance-free moisturizer (see below).
  8. Use antihistamines (e.g. Reactine or Claritin or generic versions) for itchy skin during the day time, or Benadryl (sedating) at bedtime.
  9. Consider a menthol containing moisturizer, which may help with itch (see below).

Gentle Body Cleansers:

  1. Cerave Hydrating Cleanser/Cleanser Bar
  2. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser/Cleanser Bar
  3. La Roche-Posaya Lipikar Syndet AP+

Moisturizers:

  1. Cerave Moisturizing Cream/Lotion
  2. Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream/Lotion
  3. La Roche-Posay Lipkar Baume or Stick AP+
  4. Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion Cooling Menthol
  5. Eucerin Skin Calming Itch Relief Treatment (menthol)

Handouts:

  1. Skin care for very dry heels or very dry cracked skin
  2. Skin care for dry skin and eczema