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If you suffer from Eczema or have a child who suffers from it, then you know how stressful and painful it can get, and how dry weather only seems to worsen it! My daughter suffered from atopic eczema, which afflicts roughly 10-20 percent of children and I have done a lot of research on it, to help her get through it. She has luckily outgrown it since, but I am still conscious of her having dry skin and the need to keep an eye out for those red scaly itchy patches. If your eczema is widespread and the over the counter creams and prescriptions don't seem to help, then you may need to visit a dermatologist. However, if it's mild, then the following treatments might help.

Lukewarm baths- Lukewarm baths clean just as well as a hot bath/shower, without overdrying the skin. Don't stay longer than 10 minutes (you can actually use a time to remind yourself when you need to get out of the bath) and remember to slather on the moisturiser as soon as you pat dry yourself.

Oatmeal baths - I can't speak enough of the benefits of oatmeal when you have dry skin or suffer from eczema. Try a ready oatmeal bath which has colloidal oatmeal, such as Aveeno. Or make your own at home. Colloidal simply refers to very finely powdered oatmeal, and this can be done by running the oatmeal through a food processor or blender. This ensures that the oatmeal remains suspended in the water and doesn't clog up your drains or sink to the bottom of the tub.

Invest in a humidifier - Eczema is aggravated by dehumidified air which is what the heating in our homes does to the air. Keeping indoor air moist should be a prime consideration for those who suffer from eczema. However, remember that unless you get a really big unit, you will need to get humidifiers for each of the rooms you spend a lot of time in. And one by your bedside for when you sleep is also a great idea. However, don't forget to occasionally air out the rooms as extremely damp rooms can cause a host of other problems, including fungus and mold growths.

Invest in good creams - Creams such as Cetaphil, Eucerin and Aquaphor are all great creams. Watch out for baby lotions which often contain a high water content, thus drying out the skin even further. For severe itching, you may want to try a cream which has hydrocortisone - either a .5 % or a 1%, both which are available at drugstores without prescriptions. However, it's always a good idea to speak to your doctor or pharmacist first.

Avoid antiperspirants and harsh detergents- These may trigger bouts of eczema. You may need to test a few brands first. And remember, it's not so much the detergent but the rinsing that is important. May sure all clothes are rinsed sufficiently and twice if possible.

Cotton fabrics- Avoid synthetic fabrics and wear cotton wherein possible. The same goes for your bed linen and towels. Avoid itchy fabrics as well as tight or ill-fitting clothes.

Watch your diet- Some foods trigger an allergic reaction which results in eczema. Common foods are said to be eggs, orange juice and milk. But rather than eliminating them completely, it may be better to speak to your physician or dietician to see how best to work around these foods. Food allergies are strongest in children and after the age of 6, food plays a minimal role in most people's eczema.

Boost your Omega 3 intake- Salmon, Tuna and Mackerel contain Omega 3 fatty acids which essentially boost your skin's moisture levels. However, check with your physician if you are pregnant as some of these fish contain high mercury levels, not advisable for pregnant women.

Learn more about this author, Usha Krishnan.
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