Eczema Bulletin, Issue #006 - Make Your New Year's Resolution, 'Look After My Skin'
Welcome to January's edition of the Eczema Bulletin e-zine, and thank you for subscribing.
This is the 6th edition of Eczema Bulletin. It will bring you articles and news about eczema, and also any updates to what-is-eczema.com. If you would like to add any suggestions for articles or news, or even add your own then I would love to hear from you
You can contact me here
This months Eczema Bulletin includes
- January's Featured Article – Make Your New Year's Resolution, 'Look After My Skin'
- My favourite eczema news article
- Tip of the Month
- 5 ways to.....live latex free
Featured Article - Make Your New Year's Resolution, 'Look After My Skin'
As a new year starts, and we are all making resolutions, make your first one to look after your skin. Taking care of your skin can help you to manage your eczema. This can then help with how you treat your eczema.
- Keep hydrated. Drinking water is so important to every part of your body. Your skin benefits hugely from being hydrated. When you have eczema it is even more important. Drinking water can help to keep the skin moisturised. It stops the skin becoming dry. Dry skin can be more itchy, which can cause the itch-scratch cycle to begin. So drink water regularly, in anyway that you like
- Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. It is the most important part of looking after your skin, especially when you have eczema. Moisturise constantly throughout the day. You can use a moisturiser anywhere on the skin, not just on the areas affected by eczema. This will help to keep all of your skin supple, reducing the chance of further damage, and an eczema outbreak. You can read more about moisturisers suitable for eczema, here
- Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol has a damaging effect on the skin. It dehydrates the body. You may find that after a couple of drinks your skin feels drier. Looking more flaky, and feeling more itchy. Try alternating alcoholic drinks with non alcoholic, to help keep the body a little more hydrated. You skin may feel dry and itchy in the morning. If you go to bed dehydrated, you are more likely to scratch your skin during the night. So before going to bed, drink some water and moisturise your skin
- Get plenty of sleep. Getting a decent nights sleep when you have eczema can be very hard work. But it can be very beneficial to your skin, and help you to manage your eczema. One thing you can do is to moisturise before going to bed. When you wake up in the night, moisturise again. Also keep your bedroom cool and airy. Keep a small window open, and the radiators off. Use cotton bedding, and wear cotton nightwear. If itchy skin is a huge problem to you, you could try taking an antihistamine before going to bed
- Protect your skin from the elements. The weather can be very damaging to your skin. It can cause long term damage to your skin. The sun can have a drying affect on the skin. Using a suitable sunscreen can help prevent damage. Also using a moisturiser regularly throughout the day is an important part of skincare. The wind is also very drying on the skin. Moisturising is again, great. Also covering up will help protect the skin. When you are out wear a scarf and gloves. Though find some that do not irritate your skin. Avoid a thick, woollen set
Eczema News Article
Scientists in Dublin have found a new gene mutation that leads to Atopic Dermatitis in mice.
A study was then done on a group of humans who have atopic dermatitis to see if they had a variant of the gene.
The mutation, in humans, was in the gene MATT/TMEM79. This gene produces a protein called Mattrin. Mattrin is part of the cells that help to produce and maintain the skin's barrier function.
The research concluded that this maybe why certain people develop the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. They may have a defective skin barrier that allows allergens and irritants to trigger the condition. I will keep you updated on any further developments on this research
Tip Of The Month - Start An Eczema Diary
The New Year is always a good time to start something new. This year start yours by keeping an eczema diary. You could write in it daily. Journal how your eczema is, how you feel, what you have done to manage an treat it, and anything else that maybe of help to you. The diary could help you to manage and treat your eczema. You may start to notice patterns. For example, when you have a bad day at work, you may notice your eczema becomes inflamed. Or after eating a certain food, you get an itchy flare up.
All you need is a nice notebook and a pen. After a little time of writing things down, you may start to notice some patterns and common occurrences. If you give this a try, I would love to hear how you get on with this :)
Do you have a tip you would like to share? Let me know :)
5 Ways To.......live latex free
1. Speak to your employer. You can spend many hours working. If you work in an environment that uses latex products, speak to your employer about keeping your skin protected. It is generally the duty of both the employer and employee to work together to deal with concerns and reduce any risks
2. Beware when visiting your doctor, dentist or hairdresser. Gloves and plasters usually contain latex. Advise them of your allergy when you book your appointment. Most places, especially medical, will likely have a supply of latex free products
3. Find alternative products. Latex allergies are getting more common, and there are a lot of products and items that contain it. Luckily, this means that there are more latex free products available. You can also look for alternative items and products to use. For example, instead of rubber/elastic bands, use paper-clips
4. Beware of your surroundings. It is not only your own possessions and environment that can be an issue. If you live with someone else, their possessions could cause you to have a reaction. Speak to whoever it is you live with, about latex allergy and what can cause it. Have a look at your living environment. Remove anything that could be a possible allergen. Then research the alternatives
5. Carry latex gloves wherever you go. As mentioned in No. 2, you may need to politely ask if your doctor, dentist or hairdresser could wear latex free gloves. Also they will be useful if you need to wear them to cover your own hands if you need to touch something that may irritate your skin
Keeping Up-To-Date With What is Eczema
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The February edition of Eczema Bulletin will include
- February's Featured Article – Have an Eczema Friendly Valentines Day
- My favourite news item of the month
- Tip of the Month
- 5 ways to.....protect your hands
Hope you enjoyed January's Eczema Bulletin, and thanks for reading
Happy New Year
Teri
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