Plan of Attack when a Flare Up Occurs
Do you suffer from skin flareups? While it might seem easy enough to pinpoint what is causing a flareup to occur, there are so many different factors that can affect the skin. From humidity levels to the foods you eat and the detergent you wash your clothes in, all of these environmental factors can lead to your skin reacting with red bumps and rashes. Next time your eczema or psoriasis flares up, here are some reactive steps you can take to help calm your skin down.
Avoid scratching and itching
Scratching irritated skin can lead to more problems in the long run. We know it's uncomfortable when your skin feels like it’s crawling! but the more you aggravate the skin by rubbing it, the worse you will make it feel. Scratching sensitive skin not only inflames it, but through opening it up it leaves your body vulnerable for bacteria to get into your body and cause infections. “Scratching can make eczema worse and eventually leads to dry, leathery and thickened skin”, says Dr McClymount in Livi. It's best to leave it alone (even though we know how hard that is) and apply a moisturising lotion anytime you feel the need to scratch!
Take a warm bath or shower
Sometimes a simple bath is all you need to help calm your skin down. The trick is to keep the water lukewarm - it should never be too hot! If the water is too warm this can lead to further flareups and more intense dryness of the skin. As a rule of thumb, try to limit your water exposure to 10-15 minutes, and use only fragrance-free bath or shower products. Heeding these recommendations will hopefully offer some hydrating relief to your skin, just make sure to moisturise as soon as you step out.
Pssst. We sometimes use Epsom salt in the bath to help with inflammation! It’s a great way to help with swelling and reducing redness.
Meditating
Stress factors are often a primary cause for skin flare-ups, and, consequently cause even more stress when dealing with your skin acting up! According to Manhattan Dermatology,” Practicing stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing and meditation, and just looking for areas where you can reduce stress in your life can help prevent a flareup.” Try to take a step back and focus on yourself by meditating, exercising, or doing something relaxing that you love. It's important to take time for yourself and practice self-care every day, especially when you notice stress starting to take over.
Moisturise Moisturise Moisturise
Sometimes the simplest things are the most effective. Applying your favourite moisturiser twice a day (or more if needed) can help calm and prevent flare-ups. Lotion acts to trap hydration which can help prevent irritation on the surface of the skin. If you are looking for a body lotion that is at the top of our Christmas list right now, check it out here. 😉
Keep in mind, everyone's skin is different but hopefully these simple remedies can help calm your flare-ups when they occur. If you are experiencing a flareup that is extremely uncomfortable, please consult your dermatologist for advice. Keep in mind that the Koéna products are gentle, fragrance free, and have ingredients that help calm sensitive inflamed skin. If you’ve tried everything and nothing works - try Koéna and see what everyone is raving about!
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