Do and don't how to treat eczema on face

Managing Eczema
The key to staying healthy while living with eczema is to keep symptoms under control. That’s why it’s good to know about the everyday “triggers” in your surroundings — like dry skin, irritants, allergens and stress — that might make you or your child’s eczema flare up, or get worse.

In many cases eczema is manageable, especially with a proper skin care routine. This includes bathing and moisturizing daily, sometimes in combination with prescription medications and/or alternative therapies.

Some basic things you can do to help control eczema:

Establish a daily skin care routine — just like you would for other activities such as brushing your teeth. Try not to miss treatments, but be flexible if your symptoms change.
Recognize stressful situations and events — and learn to avoid or cope with them by using techniques for stress management. You may do this on your own, or with the help of your doctor or psychologist.
Be mindful of scratching and rubbing — and limit contact with materials or substances that may irritate your skin. Dress in soft, breathable clothing and avoid itchy fabrics like wool, that can further irritate your eczema.
A long, hot shower: irritant or treatment?
Water can be one of the best forms of eczema therapy — but only if you bathe or shower properly

Discover why lukewarm water is better for your condition, plus tips to upgrade your bathing routine
Learn the basics of moisturizing — like how much to apply and when
Get the list of moisturizers, cleansers and hair care products that earned our Seal of Acceptance

What treatments and medications are available for eczema?
There are many different treatments that people who live with eczema can use to relieve symptoms.

These include:

Over-the-counter remedies such as gentle, non-soap cleansers, petroleum jelly, tar-based products and mineral oil
Medications available only with a prescription from a doctor, such as topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs) and systemic oral drugs
Phototherapy, which exposes the affected area to light under medical supervision
Complementary and alternative therapies, including acupuncture, supplements and stress reduction techniques
Remember that eczema symptoms can be different for everyone. Not everyone will respond to a treatment in the same way, so it’s best to familiarize yourself with all of the options and talk to your doctor to find a treatment regimen that works for you.

Common eczema treatments
OTC products
Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments are products or medications you can buy without a prescription. Some OTC eczema treatments are used for moisturizing skin; some are used to help skin symptoms such as rash, redness and itch; and some are for gently cleaning skin to prevent infection.

Explore OTC products that earned the NEA Seal of Acceptance.

Bathing
The most effective way to treat dry skin is to give it the moisture it needs through proper bathing and moisturizing. Soak in a warm bath or take a shower and then moisturize immediately afterward (within three minutes). You can help calm specific symptoms of eczema by adding bleach, vinegar, salt, oatmeal or baking soda to your bath water.

Learn more about bathing as a treatment for eczema.

Moisturizing
When your skin gets too dry, it can become irritated and cause your eczema to flare. Wind, low humidity, cold temperatures, harsh soaps and too much washing without the use of a moisturizer immediately after, all can lead to dry skin.

Bathing and properly moisturizing are two of the most important things you can do to help control your condition. It’s important to understand how and when to properly moisturize, and which products are best to use when you have eczema.

Learn more about moisturizing as a treatment for eczema.

Prescription topicals
Prescription topical medications include corticosteroids (steroids) and topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs). Available through your doctor, these medications are applied to the affected area of the skin to help ease redness, rash and itching.

Learn more about prescription topicals as a treatment for eczema.

Phototherapy
In phototherapy, a special machine is used to emit narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) light onto the skin in order to help reduce itching and inflammation, increase vitamin D production and bacteria-fighting systems in the skin.

Learn more about phototherapy as a treatment for eczema.

Systemic medications
The root cause of atopic dermatitis is still not fully known. However, it is known that the  immune system goes haywire and causes inflammation in the skin. This inflammation can cause some symptoms of atopic dermatitis such as itching and redness. For moderate to severe cases of atopic dermatitis, your doctor may prescribe a systemic medication to stop your immune system from overreacting.

Learn more about systemics as a treatment for eczema.

Biologics
Biologic drugs or “biologics” take an “inside out” approach by treating atopic dermatitis internally. They contain genetically engineered proteins derived from human genes and are administered intravenously (through the vein) as infusions to target specific parts of the immune system that trigger inflammation.

Learn more about biologics as a treatment for eczema.

Complementary and alternative therapies
Studies have shown that certain complementary and alternative therapies can be beneficial in controlling the symptoms of eczema. These include some supplements, plant-based topicals such as coconut oils, meditation and biofeedback.

Learn more about complementary and alternative treatments for eczema.

How to treat eczema in babies

Understanding and Treating Eczema

Your 13 month old has been off of formula for a month now, and enjoys drinking milk out of her sippy cup. You’ve noticed a red, raise rash scattered in different places around her body. She occasionally scratches it, which seems to make it even worse.

Your 4 month old has had a red, irritated rash on his face for the past two months. Everyone has told you it’s just baby acne. You now start to see the rash breaking out on his arms, legs, and body. It seems to be getting worse. She is exclusively breastfed.

Your 4 year old has always had dry skin, but it never seemed to bother him. Lately, however, he has developed dry, scaly patches on his arms, legs and face.

These are all common scenarios that are typical of a skin condition called eczema. Another commonly used term is atopic dermatitis. It is a very common condition, affecting approximately 10% of infants and children. It can start as early as two months of age. Here are tips about understanding and treating eczema.

What is eczema?

Eczema is a skin condition that has two distinct components:

Dry, easily irritated skin – children with this condition have a genetic tendency toward dry skin. Moisture is very important for our skin. It helps skin stay healthy. It prevents irritation. It speeds up healing. Moisture essentially helps our skin function better. With eczema, the skin does not retain moisture very well, thus giving it a dry, slightly rough texture and making it prone to irritation. To further complicate matters, this dry, irritated skin is itchy, causing children to scratch frequently. This further irritates and damages the skin, which leads to worse itching and scratching, and so on.
Allergies – children with this condition also have some underlying allergies that are manifested in the skin. When exposed to these allergens, the skin over-reacts and breaks out in a rash. The already dry and slightly irritated skin is less able to handle this allergic rash, and less able to heal itself quickly.
Thus, children with eczema have an ongoing battle on two fronts – trying to retain moisture in the skin and prevent irritation and itching, and limiting exposure to allergens and skin irritants. This is a battle we plan to help you and your child win!

What does eczema look like?

Dry skin – your child will have slightly dry skin with a rough texture. You may be able to see and feel tiny white bumps as you run your fingers across the skin.
Dry patches – you may see scattered, scaly, dry, white patches anywhere on the body.
Flare-ups – from time to time you will see some areas of the skin become more irritated and flare up. These will look like raised, red, slightly oozing patches. Flare-ups generally occur near skin creases – most commonly the inside of the elbows and behind the knees, but also in the neck, wrists and hands, and feet. It can also occur of the trunk. One unique aspect of eczema is that it usually does not affect the diaper area.
What causes eczema?

As stated above, eczema is a mixture of dry skin and allergies. The cause is mainly genetic – an inborn tendency toward dry skin and allergies. There is no way to change this genetics. The important issue is not what causes eczema in the first place, but what allergies and skin irritants is your child exposed to that is triggering the flare-ups.

How do I treat eczema?

There are 5 main aspects of preventing and treating eczema:

Avoid dry skin – moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! This is the single most important step in minimizing your child’s eczema. Do not underestimate this! This needs to be part of your daily routine with your child:
Luke-warm baths – hot water can dry the skin. Let your child play and soak in the bath. Do not let him soak in soapy water. It used to be felt that frequent bathing made eczema worse. Now we know that luke-warm baths allow water to soak into the skin.
Towel off gently by patting the skin. Do not rub dry.
Do not use plain soap – soap dries the skin, even liquid baby soap.
Use a moisturizing soap with no perfume – unscented Dove works very well. Cetaphil is a cleanser that is also soap-free and good for eczema.
Daily moisturizing lotion – this is very important. Two to four times a day, apply a moisturizing lotion or cream to the whole body, especially the affected areas. Some good brands include Aquaphor, Eucerin, or Keri lotion. One good time to apply this is right after the bath – it locks in the moisture.

Avoid skin irritants – this is the second most important aspect of prevention.
Cotton clothing is best. Avoid wool and synthetic materials; they can be more abrasive and irritating to the skin.
Use cotton sheets and soft, cotton blankets.
Wash new clothes before wearing them – this will get out any chemicals from the manufacturing process.
Do not use any perfumed or scented lotions.
Do not use bubble bath.
Laundry detergents – use a mild, dye-free detergent such as Dreft, Ivory Snow or All Clear. Liquid detergents rinse out better.
Double rinse the wash to get out all the detergent.
Shower or bath after your child plays in the grass or engages in sports that make him sweaty.
Maintain humidity of 25-40 percent in your home. Buy a humidity gauge. During the dry winter months, use a humidifier in your home. During the humid summer months, the air conditioning can keep the humidity stable.
Suntan lotion – use one that doesn’t irritate your child’s skin. PABA free is better.

Avoid allergic triggers
Food allergies – if your child has any food allergies, then they will play a major role in causing eczema. The problem is, you may not know if your child has any food allergies, and if he does, which foods is he allergic to? Thankfully, there are six common foods that make up nearly 90 percent of possible allergic foods. These are milk, egg, soy, peanuts, fish and wheat. Eliminate all six foods for 2 to 3 weeks. If you see dramatic improvement, then re-introduce each food one at a time to determine which is causing the allergy.
Environmental allergies – these include dust, mold, pets, and seasonal outdoor allergies such as pollens. These environmental allergies are more likely to cause nasal allergies and asthma rather than eczema. However, they can contribute to the eczema. Identifying and preventing these allergies is a very complicated process.

Control the itching – this is a major problem for children with eczema. They are in a continuous cycle of itching and scratching. The dry, irritated skin itches, so your child scratches. The scratching further irritates the skin, which causes the rash to flare up. This itches even more and your child scratches even more. If you can keep the skin moisturized, decrease the rash, and prevent itching and scratching, then you can avoid this endless cycle.
Keep fingernails cut short and very clean – when your child scratches, the bacteria that live under his nails and on his skin get pushed deeper into the rash. This can lead to a skin infection. Shorter nails also will lessen the trauma to the skin.
Wear long sleeves and pants, weather permitting – this keeps his skin covered so your child is unable to scratch as much.
Medications to reduce itching – oral antihistamines are a very effective way to control itching. There are two types:
Over-the-counter – Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is the standard for itching. Its only drawback is that is causes drowsiness in many people. At nighttime, this can be an advantage since it will help your child sleep through the itching. But during the day, it can interfere will his daily functioning.
Non-sedating prescriptions – Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra and the three most commonly used. Zyrtec is currently approved for down to age 2 years. The other two are not. These have two benefits: they are long-acting and last 12 hours, and for most people they do not cause drowsiness. Thus they are very convenient for use during the day.
You can alternate between these two. Use Benadryl at night, and a prescription during the day.
When to use these medications – do not just automatically give these to your child every day. When the eczema is under control, the rash is mild, and your child has little or no itching, then give your child a break from the medication. But do not be afraid to use it during flare-ups and for periods of moderate to severe itching. You need to break the itching and scratching cycle before the rash worsens. You can safely use these medications daily for several weeks.

Topical steroid cortisone cream – although this is a medication to help control itching as in the section above, it deserves its own special section. These creams have long been the gold standard to minimize the rash and itching from eczema. They vary in strength from the extremely mild over-the-counter hydro-cortisone cream, to mild, medium, strong, and very strong prescription creams. Here is how to use them:
Preventative treatment – if your child’s eczema is usually well controlled, with very little itching and rash, then you do not need to use a cortisone cream for prevention. However, if the eczema is moderate to severe and your child continuously has rash and itching despite all possible measures to minimize it, then you can use this cream on a daily basis to try to improve the condition. Use the mildest form that seems to work for your child.
Treatment during flare-ups – virtually all children with eczema will experience flare-ups from time to time. They can vary from mild rash, to moderate rash, to a severe flare-up all over the body. What is considered mild versus severe will vary between children, depending on how mild or severe your child’s baseline eczema is. Your child may have a few mild areas and other areas that are moderate to severe all at once. Here’s how to treat flare-ups:
Mild rash – this consists of a few areas of raised, red rash slightly worse than your child’s baseline rash. Treat this with the over-the-counter 1 percent hydro-cortisone cream (do not bother with the 0.5 percent – you might as well not use anything if you use this). It will say extra-strength, but it is really very mild. Use the cream twice a day until the rash subsides. Ask your doctor for a mild prescription cortisone cream if the OTC one doesn’t work.
Moderate rash – again, what is considered moderate is based upon your child’s baseline rash. These areas are often more red and inflamed, may have some oozing from the rash, and may bleed slightly from scratching. Itching will be worse than usual. Treat these areas with a mild prescription cortisone cream. You can also ask your doctor for a medium strength cream if the mild one doesn’t work.
Severe rash – these areas will be very red and irritated, will ooze, and bleed. These areas will be larger and more widespread than usual. Itching and burning will be troublesome. Treat this with a medium strength prescription cortisone cream. Your doctor may prescribe a strong cream to be used very sparingly for severe areas that don’t improve with a medium strength cream.
How long to use the cream – only use the prescription cream until the rash subsides. You don’t have to keep using the same strength cream until the rash is totally gone. Once you see the rash is somewhat better, then step down to a weaker cream. Use that one until the rash is back to baseline. It is safe to use the mild prescription creams for a few weeks.
Helpful tips – after a bath, apply the cream to the slightly damp skin. Apply the steroid cream before applying the moisturizer.
Side effects of steroid creams There are two types of side effects:
Local side effects in the skin – include thinning of the skin, stretch marks, and infections.

Internal side effects – a very small percentage of the steroid is absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. If enough is absorbed, it can affect certain hormone levels which in very rare cases can cause reduced growth rate. Be aware that this only happens with overuse of the strong steroid creams. There are two factors that determine side effects:
The stronger the cream and the longer it is used, the more chance of side effects. Over the counter cream has virtually zero chance of side effects, and so do the mildest prescription creams. The moderate strength creams have a slight chance of side effects. The strong creams have some chance of side effects, especially the longer they are used. The very strongest creams should not be used in children.
Different parts of the body are more susceptible to side effects in the skin. These areas include the face, armpits and genital areas. It is generally safe to use the mildest creams on these areas for a few weeks, and use the mild to moderate creams for several days, but it is better not to use the strong creams on these areas at all.

Skin infections

Be aware that children with eczema are more susceptible to bacterial skin infections, especially in areas where the rash is the worst. This infection is called impetigo. Signs that this is occurring are increased redness of the skin around the rash and a honey-colored fluid oozing from the rash or forming a crust over the rash. This is not an emergency and is not a reason to page your doctor after hours. It can wait until the next day to be seen by the doctor.

New innovations in the treatment of eczema

Tacrolimus ointment – this is an investigational ointment currently being tested in the U.S. for the treatment of eczema. It suppresses the part of the immune system that is responsible for the eczema rash and itching. It is showing great promise, and will hopefully be available soon. It appears to be just as effective as steroid creams, but does not have many of the side effects that the steroids have.

Will my child ever outgrow eczema?

Yes. For most children, eczema improves during childhood. Your child may always have a very slight problem with dry skin and occasional mild rash, but the vast majority of children grow up with very little inconvenience from this condition.

The best foods for healthy skin are:

Omega-3 fatty acids, such as flax seeds or flax-seed oil, salmon and tuna fish.
The antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E act like nature’s own protection.
Lots of fluids, preferably water, this helps to keep your skin well hydrated.

Best way to cure eczema in babies, must know!!

Definition of eczema in babies

Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) is a skin rash that usually appears before age 5. In babies it tends to show up on the cheeks and scalp, but it may spread to the arms, legs, chest, or other parts of the body. After a child's first year, it's most likely to show up on the insides of the elbows, the backs of the knees, the wrists, and the ankles, but it can also appear elsewhere.

Symptoms of eczema

About 20 percent of babies and young children have eczema. It usually starts in infancy, with 65 percent of patients developing symptoms in the first year of life and 90 percent developing symptoms before age 5.

The rash might look like dry, thickened, scaly skin, or it might be made up of tiny red bumps that ooze or become infected if scratched. Scratching can also cause thickened, darkened, or scarred skin over time.

Eczema typically comes and goes. It isn't contagious, but because it's intensely itchy, it can be very uncomfortable, and scratching can be a problem. If untreated, the rash can be unsightly, so it may present a social challenge for a child, too.

Your doctor can diagnose eczema by examining your child's skin. He may send you to a dermatologist for confirmation and treatment.

Child eczema: How to spot and treat it

See what eczema looks like, how it changes as kids grow, and how to ease your child's eczema. See all videos
There's no way to know ahead of time whether a child will outgrow eczema, but fortunately the condition usually becomes less severe with age. Many children outgrow eczema by age 2, and many others outgrow it by adulthood.

Causes of eczema

No one knows for sure what causes it, but the tendency to have eczema is often inherited. So your child is more likely to have it if you or a close family member has had eczema, asthma, or allergies.

Eczema is not an allergic reaction to a substance, but allergens or irritants in the environment (such as pollen or cigarette smoke) can trigger it. Less frequently, it can be triggered by allergens in your child's diet – or in your diet if your child is breastfeeding.

The rash can also be aggravated by heat, irritants that come in contact with the skin (like wool or the chemicals in some soaps, fragrances, lotions, and detergents), changes in temperature, and dry skin. Stress can also trigger a flare-up of eczema.

Treatments for eczema

Taking good care of your child's skin and avoiding triggers can help treat and prevent flare-ups.

Skin-care tips

Bathing and moisturizing

Talk with the doctor about how often to bathe your child. Many experts now believe that daily bathing can be helpful for children with eczema. Just don't make the water too warm, because very warm water dries out the skin faster than lukewarm water.

Use a mild soap or non-soap cleanser, and wash and shampoo your child at the end of the bath so he isn't sitting in soapy water. As soon as you get your child out of the tub, pat (don't rub) excess water from his skin with a soft towel or washcloth.

Then, while the skin is still damp, promptly apply a liberal amount of moisturizer or emollient – an ointment, cream, or lotion that "seals in" the body's own moisture – to your child's skin. Ointments and creams contain more emollient and less water than lotions and are usually best for children with eczema.

"I recommend emollients for children of all ages," says Michael Smith, an associate professor of medicine and pediatrics in the division of dermatology at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. He suggests testing the emollient for a short time to make sure it doesn't irritate your child's skin.

The most effective approach, according to Smith, is to hydrate and lubricate the skin at the same time by applying emollient to damp skin. The emollient won't improve the red, inflamed, itchy areas, but it will help restore the skin's invisible protective barrier. (This barrier makes up part of the normal outer layer of the skin and is impaired in kids with eczema.)

Allowing skin to breathe and stay cool

Dress your child in smooth natural fabrics, like cotton. Avoid wool and other scratchy materials, which can irritate very sensitive skin. Don't overheat your child by bundling him up more than necessary.

Soaps and cleansers

Switch to mild, fragrance-free soaps or non-soap cleansers and shampoos, or those made for sensitive skin. Use mild, fragrance-free detergent for washing clothes and bedding. Don't use fabric softeners.

Prevent scratching

Your child may try to get relief by scratching with his hands or by rubbing his face against the sheet during sleep. But scratching and rubbing can further irritate or inflame the skin and make matters much worse.

Use the softest sheets possible in the crib or bed, and keep your child's nails short. Put him to bed with cotton mittens or socks on his hands if he'll tolerate them.

If your child has a lot of trouble sleeping because of the itching, consult your doctor. He may suggest an antihistamine to help your child rest better.

Soothe flare-ups

During a flare-up, you can try applying cool compresses to the area several times a day, followed by a moisturizer.

Using bleach to treat eczema

A study published in the May 2009 issue of Pediatrics tested treatments on children with severe eczema. The kids ranged in age from 6 months to 17 years.

Researchers found that soaking for five to ten minutes twice a week in a diluted bleach bath was five times more effective at treating eczema than plain water (used by the placebo group). The improvement was so dramatic that the researchers stopped the study early to allow children in the placebo group to benefit from the method.

Amy Paller, senior author of the study and the Walter J. Hamlin professor and chair of the department of dermatology and professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, says that – with their doctor's approval – parents of children with moderate to severe eczema might want to try this method, especially if their child gets skin infections.

Paller recommends a scant two teaspoons of bleach per gallon of bathwater (or 1/2 cup per full tub) at least twice a week, taking these precautions: 1) Make sure your child doesn't drink the water. 2) Disperse the bleach in the water before putting your child in the tub (you don't want undiluted bleach to get on her skin).

Nashville pediatrician Smith agrees with Paller's approach. "It's safe and easy to do," he says. "It's basically like a freshly chlorinated swimming pool, which serves to kill germs in the pool. It is very useful for kids with recurrent skin infections related to eczema, but it has also been shown effective just to eliminate bacteria, making the eczema easier to treat."

Smith tells parents to use 1/3 to 1/2 cup for a full tub or 1 teaspoon per gallon. He also suggests rinsing off briefly afterward, to get rid of the bleach smell.

To avoid getting the bleach water in your child's eyes or mouth, Smith cautions not to use bleach on the face. Instead, he recommends a good barrier ointment such as petrolatum to protect the skin on the face from irritants such as saliva, food, and beverages.

For open, oozing areas on the face, he suggests over-the-counter antibiotic ointments such as bacitracin or a polymyxin/bacitracin combination. If these remedies don't work, it's time to get in touch with your child's doctor.

Avoiding triggers

Rapid changes in temperature can make eczema worse, so try not to let your child get too hot and then cool quickly, or vice versa.
If eczema seems to be triggered by environmental allergens, such as seasonal allergies, you might want to consult an allergist for tips on how to deal with these allergies.
Keep your child away from cigarette smoke.
Try to identify and minimize any stressors that may be triggering the eczema. Do what you can to help your child deal with stress (such as providing your little one with more quiet time or helping your grade-schooler prepare for a test).
Eczema and allergenic foods

Eczema isn't a specific allergy, but in some children, certain allergenic foods trigger eczema or make it worse. If you or your doctor suspects that your child's eczema is affected by certain foods, the most likely culprits are cow's milk and eggs, followed by soy, wheat, peanuts, and fish.

You may want to try eliminating them from your child's diet (and from your own diet if you're breastfeeding). Eliminate suspect foods one at a time, giving each test a couple of weeks because it can take that long to get all traces of the food out of your child's system.

A special note for parents of babies: If you're using formula and your baby has eczema, the doctor may suggest switching to a hypoallergenic (but not soy) variety. This isn't always the solution, but it's worth a try.

Researchers continue to study the links between food and eczema. In a study published in 2007, for example, German researchers found a correlation between a maternal diet high in margarine, vegetable oils, and citrus fruit during the last four weeks of pregnancy and eczema in children by 2 years of age.

In addition, while the jury is still out, some recent studies suggest that prenatal and infant supplementation with probiotics (microorganisms that promote the development of healthy bacteria in the gut) may help prevent the development of eczema in infants who are at high risk of developing allergies or eczema (those in families with older children who have eczema, for example). Some studies have also shown that probiotics can reduce the severity of eczema once it has developed.

Keep in mind that food is a main trigger in only about 10 percent of eczema cases. You'll still want to be conscientious about skin care and other factors.

Treatment of eczema rash that doesn't get better

Talk with your child's doctor or a pediatric dermatologist. If the rash doesn't get better after following the suggestions above, the doctor might suggest trying mild topical steroids, which can be bought over the counter.

If the over-the-counter variety doesn't do the trick, the doctor may prescribe a stronger steroid. A steroid cream or ointment sometimes works wonders to help break a stubborn cycle of eczema.

Researchers are developing new drugs to help eczema sufferers, so if your child continues to struggle with the condition, ask her doctor to keep you up-to-date on appropriate remedies.

Be sure to give the doctor a call if your child develops a fever or other signs of an infection – the area is warm to the touch or oozing or has a yellow crust, for example.

If your child is in daycare or school, you can talk with her teachers and caregivers about the eczema. Explain that the rash is not contagious but that it may prompt teasing of your child.

Once your child is old enough, encourage her to talk about her feelings related to her eczema, and be a good listener. Role-play how she might explain her condition to her buddies. If you think she needs more help, ask the doctor about counseling.

Best and Recommended Eczema Cream and Eczema Treatment

Eczema is an irritating skin condition. It creates redness, itchiness, rashes, scratches, inflammation, or dryness on the skin. You can either use over the counter products or prescribed treatment for eczema. It depends on the severity of your eczema.


But, today, I will show you some good quality over the counter moisturizing creams for eczema. These creams will lock moisture into the skin. They also repair the damaged skin and soothe the irritation, itchiness, and redness.

Some creams may contain fragrance, dye or other irritating ingredients. See these factors carefully; otherwise, it may trigger the condition. Anyway, see below 10 best over the counter eczema creams without those irritating ingredients.

MetaDerm Eczema Creamover the counter eczema cream

It is a natural moisturizing cream for eczema. It is a clinically proven and tested cream for severe and chronic eczema. It reduces the inflamed, itchy, scaly, dry, red, and flaky skin. MetaDerm Eczema Cream has no steroids, no parabens, no dyes and no fragrance. The internal damaging hyper-inflammation causes the skin’s flare ups. It cools down this process. It is better than the topical steroids. It helps to restore the overall skin health.

THENA Intense Healing Creamover the counter eczema cream

It is an anti-inflammatory treatment natural cream to heal the skin. You can use it for eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, shingles, dermatitis, flare-up and rash. It relieves you rapidly from itchy, very dry, and irritated skin. THENA Intense Healing Cream provides a deep hydration and soothing. No more scratching after use this cream. It is made with anti-fungal and antiviral ingredients. It alleviates all the symptoms of eczema. It prevents the infections and flare-ups too.


Puriya Cream For Eczemaover the counter eczema cream

It is made with 99.6% natural derivatives. It is made in the USA. It combats swelling, skin redness, cracked and itchy skin. It is infused with an advanced 13-in-1 formula. It intensively moisturizes the skin. Puriya Cream for Eczema is an instant relief for the itch that lasts longer. This cream can be used for eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, rashes, shingles, and dermatitis. It is a safe cream to use for face, hands, body, feet, and even for the scalp. It calms down the sensitive skin too.


Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Creamover the counter eczema cream

It is a proven cream for eczema recommended by the dermatologist. It is clinically tested to soothe eczema affected skin. It is made with two intense moisturizers – natural colloidal oatmeal and ceramide. Due to eczema, your skin can be dry, itchy, and irritated. It relieves this situation. Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream is fragrance and steroid free. It protects the skin from flare-ups and even enough gentle for children and babies.

Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Creamover the counter eczema cream

It is a pharmacist and dermatologist-recommended cream for eczema on the body. It is gentle enough for daily use. It can be used for the adults and children, and even the babies with 3 months or over. Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Cream is enriched with Licochalcone and Ceramide-3. Thus, it soothes the irritated skin and redness. It strengthens the skin’s barrier. It contains natural oatmeal to relieve the itchiness, dryness, and irritation from eczema.


Dermicoll Salcoll Collagen Ointmentover the counter eczema cream

It is a pure marine collagen cream for psoriasis, eczema, pruritus, dryness, and skin irritation. It promotes collagen production, soothes skin and removes scales. Dermicoll Salcoll Collagen Ointment is made with bioactive salmon collagen and other natural ingredients. This cream contains jojoba oil and Eucerin to promote the skin profile and texture, restore skin elasticity, and hydrate the dry skin. It is a faster and better skin care cream for eczema and psoriasis.

Wild Thera Eczaskin Balm Creamover the counter eczema cream

It is made with herbal and natural ingredients. It is a skin treating balm for eczema and psoriasis. It is also usable for nummular eczema, rosacea, tar psoriasis, dermatitis, rashes, and shingles. You will get a faster healing if you use it with psoriasis ointment & shampoo, eczema lotion, and hydrocortisone cream. Some skin conditions, like eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis cause redness, irritation, itchiness, and inflammation. Wild Thera Eczaskin Balm Cream effectively soothes these symptoms.

Neosporin Eczema Essentials Daily Moisturizing Creamover the counter eczema cream

It is an eczema treating cream approved by the National Eczema Association. It is free from fragrance, steroid, and antibiotic elements. It is clinically proven cream to relieve the itchiness caused by the contact of eczema. It is made with colloidal oatmeal that protects the skin and reduces the irritation from eczema. It unlocks the visibly healthy skin within just 3 days. It is made with the botanical blend, humectant, lipid and emollient. It fights all the symptoms of eczema.

Era Organics Psoriasis & Eczema Creamover the counter eczema cream

It is one of the best natural moisturizing creams for itchy skin, dermatitis, shingles, rosacea, and dryness. It is made with Manuka honey, hemp oil, organic aloe Vera & more. It is non-greasy and advanced healing cream. It instantly relieves painful, dry, cracked, red, scaly and itchy skin. It reduces the inflammation and boosts up the healing process while restoring the natural 5.5 PH biology of the skin. It deeply hydrates the skin and perfect for sensitive skin.

Gold Bond Eczema Relief Hand Creamover the counter eczema cream

It is made with 2% colloidal oatmeal. It relieves all the symptoms of eczema, such as roughness, peeling, itchy, and dryness. It diminishes the irritated skin and redness. Gold Bond Eczema Relief Hand Cream is an over the counter eczema cream. It is made with aloe Vera, vitamin E and a combination of 3 natural vitamins & 7 moisturizers. These ingredients soothe the eczema discomfort fast. It is safe for daily use. It is fragrance free, steroid free and dye free.

These are the best over the counter eczema creams. These creams will cure the symptoms of eczema and soothe your sensitive irritating skin. If your eczema is severe, you should talk to a dermatologist or doctor.

What it is
Having eczema can drive you far, far outside your happy zone. "People can't sleep or concentrate, and they itch constantly," says Donald Y. M. Leung, MD, PhD, head of the division of pediatric allergy and immunology at National Jewish Health in Denver. More than half of the 31.8 million Americans with this skin disorder have severe cases. Whatever you do, don't scratch. Scratching exposes skin to infections; it also reddens skin and makes it swell, crack, ooze, crust, scale, and/or thicken.

Why it happens
"Three things cause eczema: an impaired skin barrier, an immune system with the potential to go awry, and exposure to things that make it go awry," says Matthew J. Zirwas, MD, of the National Eczema Association. Stress or dry climates can contribute to outbreaks in sensitive people, says Leung. Allergies may coexist with eczema. Here's what can help.


Hypnotherapy

Learning not to get upset about outbreaks could make symptoms much more manageable, say hypnotherapists. In a hypnotherapy session, you'll relax and focus on your inner self, says Elizabeth Fung, PhD, a psychotherapist in Chicago who works with eczema patients. As you breathe slowly and deeply, your therapist might suggest ways to reduce itching and scratching. "After a few sessions, people will say, 'I didn't scratch or itch as much,' " says Fung. After the initial sessions, she advises patients to try practicing self-hypnosis for 10 to 15 minutes 3 times a day. (Bonus: science says hypnosis can boost your sex life.)

Vitamin D
Scores of recent studies link getting enough vitamin D to eczema symptom improvement. "I recommend that my adult patients take 2,000 IU of vitamin D a day," says Lio. People with adequate levels of vitamin D had milder eczema symptoms than those who had low levels of D, according to a 2013 review of studies.

MORE: The 10 Worst Things That Can Happen When You're Low In Vitamin D

Climate control
Dry air sucks moisture from skin and worsens eczema, so pay attention to indoor humidity levels, suggests Nanette Silverberg, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia University. Sweating when the mercury climbs also exacerbates symptoms. Running a cool-mist humidifier in winter and an air conditioner or a dehumidifier in summer can help. (Also consider these dry-skin remedies.)

Soak and seal
A daily 20-minute bath in lukewarm water restores moisture to parched, eczema-prone skin. (Hot water is too drying for tender skin.) Soaking also washes away allergens and bacteria, says Leung. Use gentle, low-pH, fragrance- and dye-free cleansers. After bathing, lightly pat skin with a towel and then apply any topical meds plus an additive-free cream to still-damp skin to seal in moisture. During the day, lavish on a moisturizer when skin feels dry. Ask your dermatologist to recommend a good product, or consult the guide from the National Eczema Association.

Acupressure and acupuncture
Recent evidence suggests that acupressure and acupuncture may "distract the nervous system, easing pain and itch," says Lio. In his 2011 study, acupressure eased itching and reduced the amount of thickened skin that constant scratching causes. Patients applied pressure to an acupuncture point inside the arm near the elbow 3 times a week for 4 weeks and reported that itching decreased significantly and skin looked better. (Check out more alternative therapies that actually work.)

Topical glucocorticosteroids
Over-the-counter and prescription steroid creams "work within a few days to relieve itch," says Silverberg. Dosage and frequency vary, though ideally, topical steroids are applied no more than twice a day because they can thin the skin. Silverberg may have a patient try a low-dose OTC cream and a thick moisturizer. If those don't help, she'll prescribe increasingly stronger dosages of a steroid cream until she finds one that works. "Often, a doctor will start with a midstrength dose; areas that don't improve might then be treated with a stronger one," she says.

Antihistamines
These drugs can help relieve itching, says Silverberg. They block the action of histamines, chemicals in the body that trigger an allergic response. Many antihistamines make you sleepy; use these only at bedtime to help you snooze itch-free.

Phototherapy
Certain ultraviolet wavelengths can decrease inflammation, boost skin's resistance to bacteria, and increase skin's vitamin D levels, says Zirwas. Two kinds work best: Narrowband light therapy exposes patients to ultraviolet-B wavelengths 2 or 3 times a week; broadband light therapy, an older type, also uses UVB wavelengths but requires more weekly sessions. With both, you'll stand in a tanning-bed-like machine during the sessions (usually 30); treatment time is increased from less than a minute to several minutes. Side effects may include sunburn.