by Fiery Arrow

Created on: January 18, 2007   Last Updated: April 20, 2007

Excema is a complex condition for which there is a lot of debate about the causes and what category of disease it falls into. The one thing that is not debated is that there is no cure for it. However, there are certain steps you can take that can reduce the number and severity of flare-ups. My daughter has excema and getting hers under control has been an uphill battle.

I think a big cause of excema flare-up is exposure to allergens - either external or internal (food). If you are looking to control excema you should try and figure out what you are allergic to. For the longest time I thought excema was only caused by external irritants, but was informed by a friend that foord allergies could also be to blame. As it turns out, cutting wheat and dairy out of my daughter's diet has been a big step torwards controlling her excema. Figuring out any food allergies and eliminating those foods from your diet is a big step. You can get tested for these allergies or you can try an elimination diet.

External allergens also should be reduced, air filters, allergen free pillow and mattress encasements, regularly cleaned linens and floors and use of hypoallergenic soaps and detergents are a good place to start.

Excema can also be brought on by dry skin, so minimizing time spent in the bath (which can dry skin) and utilizing safe and effective moisturizing creams like Cetaphil or Eucerin creams are another important step. Every night after my daughters bath we lube her up with cream and put on long pajamas.

Medicines and steroid creams can be effective when there are bad flare-ups, but I do not beleive they should be used regularly, it is better if you can try and keep the flare-ups from occuring by controlling irritants and taking care of the skin.

Learn more about this author, Fiery Arrow.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.