Eczema often starts at a young age. Although it can improve as you get older, it is unlikely that it will go away on its own. Even if you’re asymptomatic for a long time, you may notice flare-ups. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for the skin condition, and many need treatment to help control the itching and discomfort of each flare-up.
With hundreds of products and endless research and advice, it can be tiring waiting for rashes to subside. In the meantime, did you know there are small adaptations to your everyday life that can help manage your eczema?
Keep reading to learn easy adaptations and remedies to keep flare-ups at bay without having to rely completely on steroid creams and other products.
How long does eczema last?
It’s very difficult to give an exact length of how long eczema will last for each individual, as there are many different severities and causes behind the skin condition.
As mentioned earlier, children who suffer with eczema will often find their symptoms are heavily reduced as they enter adulthood, and they may be asymptomatic for a long period of time.
On the other hand, eczema can be developed at any stage in life and symptoms can range from mild to severe. Where some will have symptoms for just a few months then never have a flare-up again, for others it will remain a lifelong condition. Ultimately, it depends on the underlying cause behind the condition which can be difficult to pin down.
How long do eczema flare-ups last?
First things first, you’ll need to identify the trigger. Flare-ups are caused by a certain trigger which is unique to each individual. Some of the mostly common triggers are soap and fragrances to stress and hormones.
The most effective way to avoid eczema flare-ups is to learn and avoid known triggers. However, as many eczema sufferers will tell you, that isn’t easy and new triggers can be developed at any time. You can find out more on the causes of eczema in our guide.
Once you’ve removed the trigger and treated the rash, it will most probably take between one to three weeks to go away. If the flare-up was caused by an allergy, this can take longer to disappear.
Four natural ways to manage eczema flare-ups
Eczema is a lifelong condition for many, however flare-ups can be managed with small, natural adaptations to everyday life.
1. Control the humidity
For some, living in a dry and cold environment can cause irritation and further itching. Manage this by purchasing a humidifier to increase the moisture in your home. On the flip side, others may find a hot and sticky environment to cause the irritation. In that case, a dehumidifier could help keep your property drier and help to manage flare-ups.
2. Manage stress
Stress is a known trigger of eczema, although we currently down know why this is. With a stress-induced flare-up, this is likely to trigger further stress and, typically, further irritation of the skin.
Try to identify when you are stressed and put measures in place to manage your emotions. This could include meditation or taking time for yourself, though any activity which allows you to take a breath will be perfect.
3. Identify allergies
Allergies can cause more severe flare-ups of eczema and you should take care to avoid any food or item which could cause a reaction. If you are having an allergic reaction but do not know what the cause is, make sure to speak to your doctor. Finding the source of an allergy and removing it from your diet or environment can help avoid unnecessary flare-ups.
4. Soften your water
Finally, one of the most common causes and irritants of eczema is hard water. From showering and bathing to simply washing our hands, we use water on our skin every day. Hard water can heavily irritate sensitive skin, causing and prolonging eczema flare-ups. Consider getting a water softener to convert your hard water into soft, which will remove the trigger and soothe your skin.
Click here to learn more about our water softeners and the benefits of soft water for your eczema.
If you are concerned about how hard water may be impacting your eczema, take a look at our helpful advice or get in touch today.
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