- Different forms of eczema can impact the scalp, face, and body.
- Eczema is impacted by biological factors like hormones, allergies, and production of sebum.
- It can also be affected by lifestyle factors, some of which you can manage.
I have three decades of battling eczema flare-ups behind me, and while there’s no perfect formula, there are preventive measures that help me manage my eczema symptoms. Let me go from head to toe.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common form of eczema affecting the scalp. It can be caused by many factors, such as:
- stress
- hormones
- allergic reactions
- yeast overgrowth
As a sufferer myself, here’s how I combat the inflammation.
Limiting hair products
When it comes to hair products, less is more. As an admitted former product junkie, I’ve entirely cut out unnecessary products. Not only has it helped heal my scalp, but my wallet as well.
I stick to washing my hair twice a week with mild shampoo and conditioner. To seal in moisture, I’ll message my scalp with tea tree oil or aloe vera.
Reducing friction
I avoid hats, tight hairstyles, and anything else that restricts airflow or causes excessive friction to my scalp.
Washing pillowcases
Remember that your pillowcase holds onto bacteria, so I make sure to wash it every other day using a fragrant-free detergent.
From thin scaly patches around your face to dark circles under your eyes, having facial eczema is tough! For a while, I wore sunglasses to avoid harsh stares, but this wasn’t helpful in the long run.
Instead, here are some tips that helped reduce my under-eye circles, or “excessive pigmentation shadowing.”
Using a cold compress
This is my go-to for reducing deep sunken-in dark circles. Applying a
Getting sleep, and plenty of it
There’s a cycle by which eczema
Getting expert help
When I was in the trenches of my eczema, I always made sure to seek expert help. While home remedies are my first go-to, there are times when they may not be enough.
It’s important to speak with your doctor if your symptoms are impacting your quality of life.
Feeling thick patches of eczema spread across the back of your neck, inner thighs, and elbows is a memory that I will never shake. If you’re anything like me, you drape yourself in scarves, long-sleeved shirts, and pants to mask your inflamed skin.
Actually, this tack ended up causing more pain from the heat and friction.
Here’s what did work.
Pausing use of facial products
I avoided makeup and all facial products like the plague. Anything I placed on my swollen irritated skin makes it a million times worse. While I did use steroids, it was not a long-term solution, and my skin became too
Instead, I’d do a shower/bath combination. First, I gently cleanse my skin in the shower with a mild liquid soap. Then I would hop into a dead sea salt bath and soak in lukewarm water. Afterward, I pat my skin dry and dressed in loose clothing.
Did my skin look flakey, dry, and have dark patches? Yup! Did I care? Nope! It was what my skin needed at the time. Slowly but surely, my skin started to clear up.
Reintroducing lotions, creams, and emollients
As my eczema healed, my skin was in a better position to absorb outside hydration without disturbing it further. Once I reintroduced moisturizers back onto my skin, it helped lock in moisture by sealing and protecting it.
Accepting my condition
When it comes to eczema discoloration, the skin does not discriminate. Melanin can range anywhere from bright red to deep purple. I consider the discoloration on my hand an eczema battle scar.
Eczema doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all solution, and it’s important to forgive and be patient with yourself and your skin. Acceptance of your chronic skin condition is the key.
It took me a long time to adjust and figure out what works best. But once I could advocate for myself, I felt more at peace with my stubborn eczema.