How to soothe dry, itchy skin during an eczema flare-up

If you have eczema, you’re already familiar with the incessant itching and redness that comes with experiencing a flare-up. When people classically think of eczema, they’re usually referring to atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition that’s driven by inflammation. However, eczema could also point to a number of other kinds of dermatitis, such as contact dermatitis, hand eczema, neurodermatitis and dyshidrotic dermatitis, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

You could take all the precautions in the world to minimize exposure to eczema triggers and keep skin moisturized, but sometimes, an eczema flare-up is simply unavoidable. Treating eczema starts with a solid skincare routine, but you might need a little more than moisturizer to soothe dry, itchy skin. Here’s what experts recommend.

What does eczema look like?

Eczema causes dry, itchy red patches to appear on different parts of the body. Babies tend to get eczema on their cheeks, but as you get older, it can start to show up inside the elbows, on the back of knees, on the hands, and even on your eyelids, says Dr. Danielle Baruch, a board certified dermatologist with Mercy Medical Center.

Moderate to severe eczema can cover extensive parts of the skin, says Dr. Katherine Gordon, an associate professor of dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. When eczema covers as much as 25% to 30% of your skin, it can affect every part of your day, from discomfort at work and school to disturbed sleep at night.

During a severe eczema flare-up, the skin becomes very inflamed. The rash can start to scale, flake, ooze and leak clear fluids, says Dr. Angad Chadha, a dermatologist and assistant professor at UChicago Medicine.

Noted: How you treat dry skin can also prevent it. Here’s how to do both.

What causes eczema?

“We're still learning a lot about why some people develop eczema and some people don't,” says Baruch. However, it’s likely that having a family history of atopy (a group of allergic conditions including asthma, allergies and eczema) can predispose you to having eczema, she says.

Eczema typically appears in early childhood, impacting approximately 25% of children, per the AAD. However, there are adults who develop chronic adult-onset eczema in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. Again, we still don't fully understand the exact reason why this could occur, although experts suspect it could be linked to changes in the immune system, says Chadha.

There are many environmental factors that could trigger a flare-up of eczema; this will always differ from person to person, says Gordon. A few potential triggers include changes in temperature, having dry skin and exposure to irritating chemicals and preservatives found in common skincare products, she says.

Dry skin bothering you? This is what’s causing it.

How do you make eczema go away?

There is currently no cure for eczema, but some children can outgrow it as they get older. For those who experience consistent flare-ups, treatment plans typically involve a mix of prescription medications and following a strong skincare regimen, says Chadha.

To alleviate dryness and itchiness, step one is finding a gentle, hypoallergenic moisturizer that will help seal this skin barrier. Patients with sensitive skin should gravitate toward fragrance-free, bland emollients and moisturizers that have a thicker consistency, says Gordon. Be sure to moisturize consistently, at least one to two times a day, recommends Chadha.

If eczema symptoms persist, a dermatologist can prescribe topical medications, including steroid creams or calcineurin inhibitors, that can address the inflammation caused by eczema, says Chadha. If topical treatments aren’t enough to keep symptoms at bay, or if the eczema is particularly severe, there are oral medicines and injectable biologics that can help modulate the immune system’s response to eczema, says Gordon.

You can’t fully prevent an eczema flare-up from returning, but above all, you should try and minimize your exposure to common triggers, says Gordon.

Additionally, consider getting a humidifier during the fall, winter and spring months. When it's a bit drier outside, a humidifier can encourage your skin to retain moisture, says Chadha. You should also try to keep your showers short and lukewarm, rather than long and hot. This will help preserve your skin’s natural oils, he adds.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is eczema? And can you prevent eczema flare-ups?