Understanding Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis (or “AD”) has been placed in the category of “atopic” diseases because it often affects people who have other “atopic” or “allergic” conditions–in particular, hay fever and asthma. Many AD sufferers also have one of these conditions, or have family members who suffer from them. These conditions are so commonly linked that many doctors refer to them as the “atopic triad.”
Flareups and Remission
In most cases, atopic dermatitis has periods known as flareups, when the skin is red, scaly and itchy. These flareups are often started up by external factors known as triggers, which somehow set off an inflammatory reaction. Itchy, scaly, dry, red patches can occur just about anywhere on the body–or spots may erupt and ooze. In infants, the most typical spots are the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp and neck. In children and adults, eczema typically occurs on the face, neck, and the insides of the elbows, knees, backs of knees, and ankles.
Although eczema cannot be cured, for most patients the condition may be well managed with treatment and avoidance of triggers. Since it is the scratching of the itch that then causes the rash, it is important to relieve the itch and keep the skin well moisturized to break the itch/scratch cycle.
Know your triggers and avoid them
Since triggers vary from person to person, it is important to try to notice what causes flareups for you or your child so you can try to avoid them.
Common triggers and what to do about them:
• Foods: Some atopics react to foods such as citrus, egg white and spicy foods. Others are triggered by contact with certain fruit or meat juices. Try to watch for a connection so you know which foods to avoid.
• Clothing: Dyes, detergents and rough or synthetic fabrics can be very irritating. Try choosing all-cotton clothing. Wash new clothes before wearing them, to remove excess dye. Choose a mild, non-sensitizing, fragrance-free laundry detergent and be sure your clothes are rinsed thoroughly.
• Environment: Keep humidity and temperature levels consistent wherever possible. Heat, sweating and flushing (reddening of the face, or blushing) can cause flareups in some patients, as can skin that’s too dry from exposure to dry heat, wind or air conditioning.
• Hygiene: Keep fingernails short, smooth and clean to minimize flareups caused by scratching and to help prevent infection and injury.
• Sun exposure: Be sure to protect your skin every day with a non-irritating SPF 15 or higher sunscreen to prevent flareups caused by sunburn.
• Stress: Do what you can to reduce stress in your life, as too much anxiety can result in a flareup.
Your Daily Skincare Regimen
If you or your child has atopic dermatitis or eczema, the first step you can take to minimize discomfort and prevent flareups are to keep the skin moisturized and prevent scratching by relieving the itch.
That’s where Eucerin and Aquaphor Healing Ointment can help. With a complete line of moisturizing skincare products, including a new itch-relief moisturizing spray - plus a cleanser, hand and body and facial moisturizers and a sunscreen, Eucerin is the dermatologists’ choice for the treatment of even the most sensitive skin. And Aquaphor Healing Ointment is safe to use on even compromised, rashy or wounded skin, to help speed the healing process without causing further irritation.
Proper Cleansing
• Regular soap can dry and irritate your sensitive skin, and could contain ingredients (such as fragrances or deodorants) that cause a flareup. Use Eucerin® Gentle Hydrating Cleanser instead of soap–fragrance-free, soap-free, non-irritating and proven in clinical tests to be safe for patients with atopic dermatitis.*
• Too much washing can dry the skin. An infant or child may not need to bathe every day. However, in some cases a 15- to 20-minute soaking bath– not shower– may be recommended to hydrate the skin. Check with your doctor to see what he or she feels is best.
• Use warm, not hot, water to wash.
• Avoid abrasive washcloths and vigorous scrubbing.
• Pat dry with a soft towel– do not rub.
Effective Moisturizing
• Apply a moisturizer immediately after bathing, to seal in moisture while the skin is still damp.
• Use the non-irritating Eucerin moisturizer your doctor recommends for daily maintenance–ideal for atopic skin because it contains no irritants, fragrances or sensitizers.
• Control relentless itching with new steriod-free Eucerin® Itch-Relief Moisturizing Spray - to help cut down on the need for topical steroids . . . prevent the scratching that causes infection, flare-ups and more severe itching . . . and moisturize the dry skin behind the itch.
• Use Aquaphor Healing Ointment during flareups, to help skin heal.
Understanding Rosacea
Rosacea, which looks like a flushed face that will not go away, is also a very common, chronic condition. Sufferers from this condition include President Bill Clinton, Rembrandt, Jimmy Cagney and W.C. Fields– plus 13 million other Americans.
The cause of rosacea remains obscure and there is no cure. It usually afflicts adults between the ages of 30 and 60, and is more common among those of Irish or Northern European descent. Rosacea may be an inherited condition.
Like atopic dermatitis, rosacea has periods of remission alternating with outbreaks. Some triggers that cause the flushing and blushing are:
• Exposure to sun, wind and extreme temperatures
• Particular trigger foods–such as spicy foods, dairy foods, alcohol and hot drinks (coffee or tea, etc.)
• Smoking
• Alcohol or exfoliants in skincare products, along with any other possible irritants. Skincare products should be as mild, gentle and non-sensitizing as possible.
• Stress, particularly anger, embarrassment and fright, all of which can cause flushing.
Daily Skincare
Follow the daily skincare regimen below to help prevent flareups, applying topical antibiotics and other medications after cleansing and before moisturizing, as recommended by your dermatologist or other doctor.
• Cleanse skin gently with a soft cloth, warm water and a gentle, non-soap, fragrance-free cleanser such as Eucerin® Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. Pat dry gently.
• Apply moisturizer while skin is still damp. Ask your dermatologist for help choosing the Eucerin moisturizer that’s right for you.
In addition, many experts also recommend the following tips:
• Drink eight 8-oz. glasses of icy cold water every day to help keep your body cool and well hydrated
• Eat small meals.
• Exercise moderately, not strenuously, to help eliminate overheating and flushing.
Rosacea– How Eucerin can help
Eucerin products can help because they don’t contain many of the possible triggers found in other skincare products. All Eucerin products are fragrance-free and non-sensitizing and are developed especially for people with sensitive skin. Eucerin® Gentle Hydrating Cleanser in particular– fragrance-free, soap-free and non-irritating– has been proven in clinical tests to be safe for patients with both atopic dermatitis and rosacea.*
For more help with the dry skin associated with atopic dermatitis... eczema... and rosacea– be sure to ask your dermatologist. And check here to find out more about which product is right for you.
Where To Buy
To find Eucerin® and Aquaphor® Healing Ointment in a store near you– or to buy online– click here.
* Data on file, Beiersdorf, Inc.
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