7 Tips For Managing Eczema In The Winter

Investing in a Humidifier

Looking back on the study in the high mountains of Davos, Switzerland, researchers seemed to suggest that eczema-prone skin requires an optimal climate. However, since eczema patients cannot simply move to a better climate, they should at least use a humidifier in their home during winter. A humidifier takes in dirty, dry air and returns it as clean, moist air. The body heals during sleep, so when an eczema patient controls their environment during sleep, the skin can both heal properly being protected from further dehydration. Additionally, a humidifier that simultaneously acts as an air purifier can cut out allergens and toxins that cause harm to compromised skin. As an even simpler solution, patients should drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Wet-Wrap Therapy

Seattle Children’s Hospital mentions wet-wrap therapy as a solution for severely dry skin prone to eczema; imagine the process as a pair of pajamas equipped with their own humidifier. The wet wraps seal in moisture to the skin to do a number of things: keep moisture from seeping back out, increase the effectiveness of topical steroids for healing, and provide a barrier against scratching. It is recommended to use wet-wrap therapy only in severe cases, and it should only be done a few days at a time. The purpose is to calm a flare-up, rather than prevent one. If patients with an eczema flare-up have to face the cold during the day, this might be an essential part of their nightly routine.