Originally published on Substack.
If you have eczema, your skin is dry! And the term “dry” doesn’t do it justice. It’s likely ashy, flaky, and cracking at the surface almost identical to a desert surface that has not seen rain in months.
However, unlike the desert, your eczematous skin has been exposed to some form of moisture by way of the fluids we put in and on our body. The problem lies in the fact that these fluids are easily lost from the skin due to an inherent impairment in your skin’s barrier. As a result, dryness is a perpetual problem.
And why is dryness such a big deal? Dry skin causes itching!
And as you may well know, itching starts the vicious eczema cycle that we so desperately need to prevent.
Think of your itch as your skin crying for help! It’s crying for MOISTURE!
I cannot emphasize enough how important this is and how identifying your skin’s need for moisture is crucial. If you want to control your eczema and prevent flares, do not make excuses or cut corners on keeping your skin moist and preventing dryness.
Many feel that if they have applied moisturizers once or twice a day, that’s enough. It’s obviously better than nothing and a good start. However, if you feel as though that moisture doesn’t last and you are still struggling with dryness, you have at least 2 options. One is to work harder by moisturizing more or work smarter by creating a more efficient routine. Many cases require a little of both but I recommend the latter by working smarter.
The cornerstone to a more efficient skin care routine is the bath or shower. A common misconception I hear from patients and from physicians, is that bathing or showering irritates eczematous skin and should be done minimally. In actuality, your skin needs the bath or shower for several important reasons that I will list here:
Have I made myself clear?
Bathing or showering for 15-20 minutes at a time will not dry out your skin! Your skin is yearning for the moisture from the water.
While bathing, apply a gentle cleanser to the skin which will help remove irritants and keep unwanted bacteria in check. Removing unwanted bacteria such as Staph will further decrease itching and decrease the chance of an eczema flare getting complicated by infection.
Keep the bath simple. Avoid anything with harsh soaps and fragrances including bath salts which can actually dry the skin out more.
After getting out of the bath, it’s important to do everything possible to retain the water that your skin just soaked up. Instead of vigorously drying, gently pat the beads of water off your skin and seal that water in with a moisturizer of your choice. A good rule of thumb is trying to get moisturizers on the damp skin within 3 minutes of getting out of the bath.
Bathing properly is a game-changer when it comes to adding moisture. Do yourself a favor and make sure this is part of your eczema care regimen. Your skin will thank you.
