Eczema Causes and Symptom Relief Options

I think we can all agree that our Canadian winters are so very long and drawn out. It’s especially tough this time of year, since there isn’t much sunlight and we don’t spend enough time outdoors.

It seems every January and February we experience drastic cold snaps here in Alberta, and so far, this year is falling into the same pattern. For myself (and I know I’m not alone), this means even more time inside with dry circulated air. With wind-chills into the -40’s, not only is this making my skin extremely dry, at this time of year, mine and the kids’ eczema can really flare up.

While this Mom says many things repetitively, right now the most common is ‘put on your mitts’, because I believe the cold, dry winter air is what causes our eczema to flare on our hands. This is especially true with my kids, and did you know that eczema is more common in children? [1]

Eczema Causes and Soothing Relief Options

ECZEMA CAUSES [2]

While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, the most common type (atopic eczema) does resemble an allergy, it is not an allergic reaction. Besides the environment (because eczema is more prevalent in colder regions), factors also include: genetics, immune system abnormalities, and activities that may cause the skin to be more sensitive.

A large number of children with eczema also have food allergies, so it’s also believed that certain foods such as dairy, eggs and nuts could be a cause for eczema or make the condition worse if it’s flaring.

ECZEMA SYMPTOM RELIEF [3]

As you can see, there are a number of possible causes for eczema. Yet as a person who’s suffered from flares, and have children that have been affected as well – it’s best to pay attention and recognize your possible and individual causes.

For instance, we also try and avoid hot showers in the winter months as it affects the skin barrier and adds to skin dryness. Avoiding additional washing with hotter temperatures seems to help us a lot. If you think that a certain food adds to the severity, it would be best to cut that out of the diet for the time being. As well if certain perfumes, detergents, or fabrics seem to be skin irritants for you, restrict those substances that may attribute to a flare.

Anyone with this skin condition knows that many lotions do more to irritate the skin than help. I have applied many skin lotions in the past, only to find they cause my skin to feel like it’s burning, and also cause an increase the redness and sensitivity. Yet it’s hard to not reach for lotion during the winter months, since we desperately want that soothing relief.

For those that are looking for a lotion that provides clinically proven formulas to help relieve, soothe and protect skin affected by eczema – try Gold Bond!

The Gold Bond Ultimate Eczema Relief Skin Protectant Lotion and Cream has 2x more colloidal oatmeal than other over the counter eczema leading brands. Gold Bond is backed by 100 years of science and proven results in specialized skincare solutions – its need-specific formulas’ efficacy is tested by dermatologists.

Whether you reach for the lotion or the thicker cream formula to help soothe your skin, both help to relieve the 5 frustrating symptoms of eczema: itchiness, dryness, rashes, roughness and irritation. These symptoms are to me, the most annoying part of eczema other than how it looks when it flares.

Relieving these symptoms very much helps not only for comfort, but eases the associated pain. I keep my Gold Bond Ultimate Eczema Relief Skin Protectant Lotion on my nightstand or on my office desk, for easy reach and reminder to use regularly. My suggestion is to keep Gold Bond Ultimate Eczema Relief Skin Protectant Cream either in your purse or in your car, (it’s where I am most often), and I love sneaking in a little TLC while waiting for school and/or activities to end.

Both Gold Bond Ultimate Eczema Relief skin protectant Cream and Lotion are steroid free, dermatologist tested, fragrance free and hypoallergenic and are available at most major drugstores across Canada. The cream retails for $13.99 and the lotion retails for $18.99.

Plainly put, dealing with Eczema flares are a royal pain – yet there are ways to help manage and relieve the uncomfortable to downright painful symptoms associated with it. For myself, our eczema seems to take a break during the summer months, and for that I’m thankful. Until the seasons change, knowing our causes and taking steps to relieve are key.

Do you or someone you know suffer from eczema?

Disclosure: Product and compensation was supplied to facilitate this post as part of my affiliation with the brand, yet as always, all opinions are my own.

For any questions, concerns or comments regarding the Gold Bond product line, please contact: ch.canada-ConsumerCare@sanofi.com

 

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