What You Can Do

Eczema and Dry Skin

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Eczema Home treatment (Benadryl) may help relieve itching Eczema (known as “atopic dermatitis”) There are many steps you can take and relax you enough to allow is a chronic skin disorder. It often to help improve eczema. The most sleep. Avoid topical antihistamine affects people with asthma, hay fever, important is preventing dry skin. and antiseptic creams and sprays, and other allergies. It causes a very (Please see reverse side for more which irritate the skin. itchy, red, scaly rash that may weep information.) Avoiding harsh chem- • Use a humidifier in the bedroom. or ooze a clear fluid. The rash may icals and allergens can also be • Avoid contact with any irritants or first develop as red bumps or blisters important. Here’s how to help your allergens (chemicals, strong per- that break and crust over. It can skin retain moisture and recover fumes, or certain fabrics such as become infected, especially if scratch- from eczema: wool and acrylics). Wear gloves ing is a problem. • Take brief daily baths or showers when doing dishes. In children, eczema appears most with lukewarm (not hot) water. • Wash clothes and bedding in a often on the face, scalp, buttocks, Use a gentle soap (Dove, Basis, mild, fragrance free detergent, and thighs, and torso. Eczema is often Aveeno, Neutrogena) or a non-soap rinse at least twice. Do not use a worse during infancy and generally cleanser (Cetaphil or Aveeno). fabric softener if it is irritating. improves by early adulthood. Many Even better, bathe without soap. children improve by age 5 or 6. • After bathing, pat skin dry with Call Kaiser Permanente if . . . a towel. Do not rub. In adults, eczema usually affects the • Crusting or weeping sores appear. neck, the inside of the elbows, and • Apply a lubricating cream (Vaseline, You may have a bacterial infection. the backs of the knees. Adults whose Nutraderm, DML, Moisturel). • A red, patchy rash appears on hands or feet are often exposed The cream may help keep your your face and you have joint pain to irritating substances, such as skin from drying out. Reapply and fever. cream often. chemicals, can develop eczema on • Itching interferes with sleep and those areas. • Using an oral antihistamine home treatment is not working.

Relief from itching for dry skin and eczema • Keep the itchy area cool and wet. Try a compress ingly on your face or genitals. If itching is severe, your soaked in ice water. physician may prescribe a stronger cream. • An oatmeal bath may help relieve itching. Wrap one cup • Try an over-the-counter oral antihistamine (such as of oatmeal in a cotton cloth and boil as you would to Chlor-Trimeton or Benadryl). cook it. Use this as a sponge and bathe in tepid water • Cut nails short or wear gloves at night to prevent without soap. Or try an Aveeno colloidal oatmeal bath. scratching. • Calamine lotion is helpful for poison ivy or oak rashes. • Wear cotton clothing. Avoid wool and acrylic fabrics • Try an over-the-counter one percent hydrocortisone next to your skin. cream or ointment for small itchy areas. Use very spar-

HEALTH EDUCATION Eczema and Dry Skin

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Dry skin Home treatment for dry skin Call Kaiser Permanente if . . . Dry, itchy, flaky skin is a common • Follow the prevention guidelines • You itch all over your body with- problem. When the skin loses water above. out an obvious cause or rash. (not oil) to the air, you can develop • Bathe every other day instead of • Itching is so bad that you cannot excessive dryness. Dry indoor air is a every day. Use warm or cool water sleep and home treatment methods common cause, as is excessive bathing and a gentle soap (Dove, Tone, or are not helping. with strong soaps and hot water. Dry Basis). Use little or no soap on dry • The skin is badly broken due to skin often gets worse in the winter due skin areas. scratching. to lower humidity and indoor heat. • Pat dry with a towel. Don’t rub your skin. Steps to prevent dry skin Other resources • Apply a moisturizing cream • Humidify your home, especially (Vaseline, Moisturel, Nutraderm) the bedroom. kp.org while the skin is still damp to seal • Connect to our Web site at • Avoid hot showers. They strip the in moisture. A light layer of petro- to access health and drug encyclope- skin’s natural oil, which helps hold dias, interactive programs, health leum jelly is also an effective and classes, and much more. in moisture. Baths are much kinder inexpensive moisturizer. Reapply to the skin than showers. cream often. • Contact your Kaiser Permanente Health Education Center or • Don’t use strong detergents and • For very dry hands, try this at Department for health information, deodorant soaps. Avoid Ivory, night: Soak hands in luke warm programs, and other resources. which is very drying. Use mild water for 5 minutes and then apply soaps such as Dove or non-soap a thin layer of petroleum jelly and cleansers like Cetaphil. wear thin cotton gloves to bed. You • Limit use of perfumes and can also do this to help dry feet, perfumed products. wearing a pair of cotton socks • Avoid overexposure to the sun. overnight. • Use a moisturizing cream after • Avoid scratching, which damages your bath. the skin.

This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.