Basic Skincare for Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis

Caring for skin with eczema is extremely important as a first line of managing the condition. The right bathing routine and application of topicals can significantly reduce symptoms during flares. While many patients with eczema may avoid bathing because it irritates or dries out their skin, regular bathing with the appropriate bathing techniques is extremely important for supporting the skin barrier.

Soak and Seal Method for Bathing

1. Take one shower or bath daily for 5-10 minutes in luke warm water. Avoid excessively hot water which can be drying to the skin. Avoid the use of any soap. Do not scrub the skin. When there is obvious dirt to wash off use a gentle, fragrance free cleanser without detergents, like this.

2. Pat the skin dry with a towel but leave the skin slightly damp. Leaving the skin slightly wet helps the skin absorb any topicals better.

3. Apply appropriate moisturizer all over the body, not just the eczematous skin. See information below about specific moisturizers. Apply any wet wraps or bandages if necessary.

4. Put on clothing or pajamas to cover the skin and lock in moisture. Natural fibers such as cotton and bamboo are most tolerated. Avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester and scratchy fabrics like wool which can further irritate the skin.

5. You may repeat this process anytime the body is submerged in water such as bathing or swimming.

Bath Additives:

When taking baths, or bathing infants with eczema, it is important to add the appropriate ingredients to the bath water to prevent excessive transepidermal water loss (i.e. to prevent drying out of the skin).

• Baking Soda: ½ cup - 2 cups of regular baking soda dissolved into bath water. Do not use baking soda as a scrub on the skin. Safe for daily use.

• Colloidal oatmeal: one packet per regular sized bath tub, for infant bath tub can use ⅓ of package. Safe for daily use. Aveeno brand is widely available, or Shea Organics for an organic option

• Dead Sea Salt: ¼ cup per half tub, ½ cup per full tub, dissolved into the water. Safe for daily use.

• Apple cider vinegar: DO NOT USE DAILY, 2-3 times per week at most, ¼ cup mixed into half tub, ½ cup mixed into full tub, careful not to get in eyes as it will burn.

For moderate to severe eczema Wet Wrapping can be used.

“During particularly intense eczema flares with severe itch or pain, wet wrap therapy can work wonders to rehydrate and calm the skin and help topical medications work better. The fabric wraps are soaked in water and applied to the affected skin on the body. While wet wrap therapy can be done at home, wet wraps specifically applied to the face use gauze and surgical netting and should be applied by medical professionals trained in this treatment.

Wet wraps are best done after bathing, moisturizing and applying medication. Use clean, preferably white, cotton clothing or gauze from a roll for the wet layer, and pajamas or a sweat suit on top as a dry layer. If the eczema is on the feet and/or hands, you can use cotton gloves or socks for the wet layer with vinyl gloves or food-grade plastic wrap as the dry layer.

To do wet wrap therapy, first moisten the clothing or gauze in warm water until they are slightly damp. Next, wrap the moist dressing around the affected area. Then gently wrap the dry layer over the wet one. Lastly, carefully put on loose-fitting clothing so as not to disturb the dressing. Leave wet wraps on for several hours or overnight, taking care not to let them dry out. Consult with a healthcare provider before starting wet wrap therapy.” From the National Eczema Association. See their website for more information on wet wrapping.

Basic Topicals for Eczema

The use of appropriate topicals is very important to lock in moisture, support wound healing, and protect the skin barrier. Ointments and creams are the most well tolerated with eczema because they have a higher oil content than lotions. Lotions may cause stinging and burning on the skin due to the amount water they contain. It is best to avoid product containing Mineral Oil which can disrupt the microbiome of the skin and prevent the skin from breathing. In some severe cases a Mineral Oil product may helpful for a short duration. When looking for a cream for eczema choose products containing sunflower oil, safflower oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, colloidal oatmeal, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and/or ceramides (ceramides ending in 1,2,3,6 lI, EOS, EOP, NG, NP. NS and/or NP). Avoid products containing fragrances, beeswax, coconut oil, essential oils, and mineral oil. If your skin is prone to infection, a Hypochlorus Acid Spray can be helpful to apply before any other topicals.

Topical treatment can typically only offer symptomatic relief in eczema, however, Traditional Chinese Medicine has much to offer in the way of treatment that can bring eczema fully into remission.

TCM Treatment for Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis

TCM herbal treatment for eczema first focuses on settling the inflammatory process to relieve itching and reduce heat and discomfort in the skin. As the condition settles we use herbs to help reestablish balance and stability in the system. This involves mopping up inflammatory markers in the blood and clearing residual heat and dampness throughout the system to prevent further flares. Quite often people who suffer from eczema also have a constellation of other systemic symptoms including digestive dysfunction, infections, reproductive health challenges, and/or anxiety and depression which will also be addressed through herbal treatment. The goal with herbal treatment is to identify and treat the root cause of the condition so that we can restore the health of the body and the skin. For more information about our approach to treating eczema, click here.

Every case of eczema is unique. With a thorough intake and Chinese Medicine diagnosis we can create a treatment plan specific to the individual.  If you or someone you know suffers from eczema and wants to get to the root of your skin issue with a natural holistic approach, TCM Dermatology may be the best option for you. To find out if Chinese Medicine is a good option for you schedule a free consultation today!