Eczema is a skin condition for which the major symptoms are dry, red, cracked skin, which is generally extremely itchy. In the worst cases, the area that is affected becomes raw and begins to bleed. It is a prevalent medical condition but one that seems to affect pregnant women in particular. Indeed, pregnancy eczema is a very widespread variety of this frustrating skin problem, with many women going through their first flare up when pregnant.
Women's bodies are experiencing a significant amount of change at this time in their life and their hormones are completely off kilter. Though the link isn't completely understood, these circumstances can commonly set off flare ups of eczema, even in women who never suffered from them before their pregnancy. Oftentimes the condition can become a chronic problem even after delivery of the newborn.
Handling pregnancy eczema tends to be a bit more difficult than with regular cases of eczema because when a woman is expecting she needs to be careful when it concerns methods of treatment. There are various drugs which can be used while pregnant, such as certain topical steroids, coal tar products and antihistamines. Any of those must be utilized only under the watchful supervision of your physician, though.
The safest method of addressing the challenge of pregnancy eczema is to keep away from the triggers that can lead to a flare-up. And there are many of them, ranging from pet dander to bubble bath and perfumes. Additionally, you will want to keep away from undue exposure to water, and try to keep from sweating a great deal, which could be hard while pregnant.
Making use of lots of rich moisturizing lotion will help keep your skin hydrated and ease the burning. Get unscented products so you won't aggravate the rash. Wear loose clothing made from soft, natural materials such as cotton, and keep away from abrasive fabrics such as wool. When you're doing the laundry, use detergent that's fragrance free and pH neutral, and give your clothes an additional rinse cycle. Any new clothes you purchase need to be washed prior to wearing.
It's important that you refrain from scratching the area that is affected which could essentially make the condition worse and open up the possibility of an infection if the skin breaks. It's better to apply a cold compress to soothe the itchiness.
Eczema is a condition that encompasses a wide range of skin ailments, from dyshidrotic to nummular eczema. It reveals itself through a number of different symptoms, such as flaky red patches on the skin that are unbearably itchy. To find out how to identity and deal with eczema, visit the Eczema Treatment site.
