What Helps Eczema? 4 Things to Know

You developed a rash somewhere on your body and it’s itchy.

You go to your Doctor and they tell you that you have eczema…or you already know and have been living with it.

You’ve been probably told that there is no cure for eczema and you have to live with it.

Now you are scratching your head (pun intended) and asking yourself what helps eczema?

To my knowledge, you might be in any one of these situations or a combination of them:

1. • Growing out of it
   • Take the prescription medication for the foreseeable future only during flares ups

• • Able to keep your eczema under control through hydrocortisone creams and antihistamines

• • The prescription medications are no longer working, stronger medications are prescribed and your eczema seems to be getting worse and worse

• • Your skin might have become addicted to topical steroids due to daily use and/or going through withdrawal symptoms
  • Trying natural alternatives like Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Holistic Nutrition

1. Educate Yourself on Eczema

So what helps eczema then? First things first, no matter what stage you or a family member may be in with their eczema, you should educate yourself.

This is where I failed and hoping you can learn from my mistakes.

I researched everything I could about eczema.

The symptoms, the triggers such as environmental factors, airborne allergens, foods, stress, and how to live with eczema.

I made sure my room was clean to minimize the dust, didn’t shower with hot water or harsh soaps, avoided known foods to trigger eczema, and so forth.

None of which seemed to work. By the way, this is what medical professionals at the time were also telling me.

Suggestions such as drinking more water, moisturizing daily, moving to a different city/country, try installing a water softener, getting more sunlight, and more were always suggested.

How many different things are we supposed to try before finding some sort of relief?

Where I failed was not educating myself on how to effectively use these medications and not depending on them.

While using hydrocortisone, antihistamines, creams and lotions, I was finally able to not let my eczema dictate my life.

My skin was clear, and my self-confidence and self-esteem were pretty high.

However, I didn’t educate myself nor was I educated on the side effects of continuous use of these medications.

I’ve had eczema since I was about 7 years old.

I was too young to understand eczema let alone understand how these medications worked.

Not once did I think about the negative consequences of using steroid creams on a daily basis as I grew up.

Why would I? It was a part of my daily routine because there was no cure.

Understand exactly how these medications work and help control your symptoms.

If it says, “If symptoms last longer than X days or worsen, consult a healthcare practitioner”, it is probably time to see your doctor again and find something else.

If you find yourself heavily using the prescription creams, it might be a good time to very slowly decrease the dosage and find something else that works.

2. Change It Up

The question “what helps eczema?” should not only be looked at as medications but as a mindset too.

I wish I hadn’t gone through topical steroid withdrawal twice but I definitely learned my lesson.

If I had been educated properly at an early age through some sort of program offered by hospitals or governments, things may have been different.

I may have been able to avoid having my skin getting addicted to these creams in the first place.

With all the information I know (and still learning) and my experiences, I would have dealt with my eczema much differently.

For starters, I would have used the steroid creams to get eczema under control and slowly wean off it.

While doing that, I would have cleaned up my diet by eliminating dairy and gluten and taking supplements that are beneficial to eczema (Vitamin C & D, Omega 3 and Probiotics).

I could have slowly transitioned away from the creams and on to Naturopathy.

3. Learning to live with Eczema

For a long time, my parents and I racked our brains on “what helps eczema?”.

It was painful for both of us that we couldn’t even fathom how to live with eczema.

But we need to learn how to live with it. For most of my life, I didn’t want to deal it with.

I just wanted to apply the creams, take the pills and just be normal.

I didn’t want to put in the work and think about it so that it didn’t interfere with my life.

Taking a bath 2-3 times a day, moisturizing morning, afternoon, and night, applying your creams, and dealing with the itchiness, is a lot of work.

It’s physically and mentally draining.

On top of that, the supplements I have to remember to take throughout the day to help me from the inside out.

Eczema adds extra time on top of the basic things we do before we go out to school/work/socials and when winding down at home.

But as you put in the time every day to keep it under control, the less and less it actually gets in the way of life.

4. Live Your Life

Regardless of if you have eczema, other skin conditions, or any other illness you are facing, do not forget to live your life.

At the end of the day, you will always look back on the good times you had when everything is said and done.

You’d rather not let anything get in the way of that.

While I was still going through topical steroid withdrawal and still being super self-conscious, I still went out and tried to live my life.

I traveled during the summer, worked out when I could, went on road trips, attended my favorite artist’s concert, and took part in one of my friend’s wedding.

I could have easily stayed home and hid from the world because my skin was still red, dry, flaky, and swollen.

But I didn’t, I now have awesome memories and pictures to remember for the rest of my life.

Below is a list of resources to help educate yourself on eczema, typical treatment plans, and more.

I may have not answered your question “what helps eczema?” in a conventional manner.

Why? Because I want to open and expand your mindset.

Healing from eczema goes beyond doctor visits and oral/topical steroids.

You have the power to heal through your lifestyle and daily actions.

Food For Thought

What helps eczema can be a combination of food, lifestyle, mindset, and working with the right person.

I’ve tried a lot of treatments and diets in the past, but the one thing that made the biggest difference is focusing on nutrition to heal from the inside out.

I also needed someone to guide me on this path. There was a lot of uncertainty and experimentation.

When you feel like this, it’s a good idea to explore working with a Skin Health Coach to put you on the right path.

If you are embarking on eczema or topical steroid withdrawal journey and are interested in a Skin Health Coach to support you, please check out my coaching services here.

In the meantime, check out my FAQ, my previous posts under Archives.

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