Eczema Bulletin, Issue #012 - Eczema Friendly Air Travel
Welcome to July's edition of the Eczema Bulletin e-zine, and thank you for subscribing.
This is the 12th 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
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This month's Eczema Bulletin includes
- July's Featured Article – Eczema Friendly Air Travel
- My favourite eczema news article
- Tip of the Month
- 5 Ways To.....deal with occupational hand eczema
Featured Article - Eczema Friendly Air Travel
Air travel, especially if you are a frequent flyer, can have a negative effect on your skin.
There are a few reasons for this.
- Air Pressure. This reduces the amount of oxygen in the air. Less oxygen in the air, means you get less oxygen in the body, and the blood. A healthy blood flow helps with having healthy skin
- Air Quality. Air conditioning on the plane recycles the air in the cabin. This means the air can be of poor quality
- Air Humidity. Poor air humidity can cause dehydration. This in turn causes your skin to dry out, and become itchy
- Stress of Flying. Becoming stressed in any situation can cause your skin to become hot, then itchy. It may also increase skin inflammation
There are some simple things you can do to help combat the effects of flying
- Moisturise. Continually moisturise your skin. Carry a small pot of your favourite moisturiser in a clear, zipped
bag in your hand luggage
- Hydrate. Drink plenty of water. Buy a big bottle after you have passed through security. You could also ask for some water during your flight
- Avoid alcohol and salty snacks. These dehydrate the body
- Wear comfortable clothing. Loose linen clothes are a good choice. Avoid itchy fabrics, like wool. Wear layers, so you can remove or add clothing when you are hot or cold
- Relaxation Techniques. If you concerned about flying try some relaxation techniques before you leave home, and even when you are at the airport. Read more about these techniques, here
Flying should be a fun experience, especially when you are going on your holidays. Don’t let your eczema make flying a stressful experience.
Eczema News Article
A new 'super jab' is being tested to see how effective it is in the management of eczema and asthma.
It is a weekly jab, using the drug Dupilumab. Patients suffering from both conditions are being tested by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
It is a 12-week study. 52 patients were given dupilumab. Another 52 patients were in the placebo group. The results showed that asthma attacks and eczema symptoms decreased by 87% in the group given dupilumab.
This is because dupilumab 'works on the immune system, to treat the underlying cause of these problems', reports dermatologist Nick Lowe.
Further research will need to be carried out to confirm it's dosage, long-term efficacy and safety.
(Credit : Huffington Post UK)
Tip Of The Month - An Easy, Cheap and Natural Eczema Remedy In Your Cupboard
You may find some colloidal oatmeal in your food cupboard. If not, then you can buy some pretty cheap from your local supermarket or health food shop.
Colloidal oatmeal is very fine ground oats. Use organic oats, if possible. But avoid the ready made, convenient oats you can buy!
Colloidal oatmeal is good for moisturising your skin. It keeps the skin hydrated. It can also help to relieve itchy skin, and reduce the redness of inflammation.
There are a few ways in which you can use it
- In the bath. Use directly in your bath. Add a couple of cupfuls under the tap. Mix well
- In soap. You could buy a natural oatmeal soap, or make your own
- In cream. Aveeno is a good example of an oatmeal cream. Or again you could make your own
You can read more about using oatmeal, and other home remedies, for eczema, here
Do you have a tip you would like to share? Let me know :)
5 Ways To.......deal with occupational hand eczema
1. Wear gloves. The easiest, and best protection for your hand eczema. If you are a high risk job, then it is very likely that your employer will provide some gloves for you to use. Though if you have a latex allergy, you may prefer to buy your own to take with you
2. Speak to your employer. If there is something at your place of work that is the cause of your eczema flare up, speak to your employer. There may be precautions that can be taken. Most employers would want to know if one of their employees is having an issue that makes work uncomfortable and stressful. Every company will have someone you can talk to about health and safety. Whether its the owner of a small company, or a designated health and safety officer in a larger company
3. Moisturise your hands. Constant, regular moisturising is vital. It helps to keep the skin supple, preventing skin breaks and infection occurring. Whether you wear gloves or not, generously apply your favourite
chemical free emollient to your hands
4. Follow a good skin care routine. You need to incorporate moisturising into a good skin care routine. In all jobs, at some point your hands will need washing. Whether its as part of your job, like a nurse, or whether its just something you do after visiting the toilet. Use lukewarm water, with a hand-wash that doesn’t irritate your skin. Rinse your hands well, especially under your nails, and under jewellery if you wear any. Pat your hands dry with a clean towel, and reapply your moisturiser
5. Get treatment early. If you leave a flare up of hand eczema, it is extremely likely that it will get worse, and then be harder to treat. If you treat it early enough, you may only need to use an over the counter topical steroid cream for a few days. If it is left, an infection is more likely to occur. You will then need to visit your doctor to get either an antibiotic cream, or oral antibiotics. It is important to remember that
preventing a flare up is better than treating a flare up
Keeping Up-To-Date With What is Eczema
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The August edition of Eczema Bulletin will include
- August's Featured Article – The Benefits of Aloe Vera
- My favourite news item of the month
- Tip of the Month
- 5 ways to.....avoid sodium lauryl sulfate
Hope you enjoyed July's Eczema Bulletin, and thanks for reading
Teri
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