Itching, scratching, crusting, swelling – sound familiar?
Often caused by an overactive immune system and worsened by stress and environment, eczema is one of those conditions that can go from annoying to painful, quickly. And it’s all about knowing your triggers. From certain shampoos and detergents to weather changes, pollen, dust, and mold, the causes of your symptoms can range far and wide.
If you’re an eczema sufferer, you’ve probably read up on products that are good for your skin. Maybe you’ve heard of things like colloidal oatmeal, pramoxine, and 100% cotton for controlling your outbreaks. Perhaps you swear by certain lotions and moisturizing creams.
Heck, you might even have a favorite, totally organic oil or balm that you turn to when your eczema is really flaring up.
But wait. Did you know that many so-called ‘eczema treatments’ may actually be making your condition worse? In some cases, these are products many people believe are great for eczema.
Here are six skincare products dermatologists recommend looking into before using…
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1. Tea Tree Oil
The potential healing benefits of tea tree oil are pushed everywhere. We hear about the effects on inflammation. The impact on bacteria and fungus, the ability to soothe skin and protect it from damage.
But if used undiluted, tea tree oil can be quite an irritant. This is why you need to use a carrier oil to dilute the highly concentrated tea tree oil. Olive and almond oil are great choices.
Before using tea tree oil, put a small drop on non-eczema skin and wait for any allergic reaction. Some people can handle it, some people cannot – so see what works for you.
2. Sheep Wool Derivatives
One common sheep wool derivative is a yellow fat called lanolin. While lanolin has provided relief to
