Eczema 101: Are you doing it to yourself?

As many are aware of my journey/story with eczema over the past seven years, I know that formaldehyde is my number one eczema trigger. New clothes, soaps (shampoo, dish, laundry, etc), carpet, and wallboard all contain copious amounts of eczema-triggering chemicals. Formaldehyde is a widely used preservative in 'all of the above' and many other industrial products. A foundational thought: The outer layer of your skin is the fence that provides protection from disease, bacteria, and other irritants. When the fence is damaged, you become vulnerable to a host of invaders. The best way to heal from damage is to avoid damage in the first place. If it is too late for that, following the regime below may prevent any skin damage you have from getting any worse. Another thought to keep close: You care about your skin - don't think for a minute that anyone else does. Shocking, I know, but I've found this to be true. Especially for commercial skincare companies. Their primary mission is to sell product - not to help individual consumers! If it makes a 'better' or more profitable formula, they are certain to (at least be tempted to) add fillers or chemicals. www.skinfence.com

Choosing the Right Clothes for Sensitive Skin With sensitive skin, certain fabrics can make you feel itchy and sore. Find the right threads for style and comfort. Washing Dishes using gloves Sensitive skin can take many forms. Sometimes, it will be a simple case of irritation; other times, it could be a serious outbreak of eczema with severe itching, redness, and even bleeding. Even more, it's difficult to identify the triggers that might bring about flare-ups. But there are things you can avoid to minimize irritating sensitive skin. The first thing you should do is visit your dermatologist to see if there is any underlying medical cause for your skin issue. In the meantime, stay away from the following. Even though sensitive skin is an common issue for many people, there's a lot we don't know about it. But recent research has uncovered some surprising information. *Avoid scented laundry products. Although the smell of clean laundry can be refreshing, chemicals found in laundry detergent can cause irritation for those with sensitive skin. Look for detergent and dryer sheets that are free of dyes and fragrance. As a side benefit, these types of products are often better for the environment. Other triggers to avoid when it comes to clothes are brand-new clothes that haven't been washed (especially those that are heavy with dyes). New clothes may contain formaldehyde or other chemicals. Natural fibers such as 100 percent wool can also irritate sensitive skin. *Perfumes, bath bubbles, or scented lotions. When in doubt, read the ingredients on your cleaners and soaps, and keep it simple. Avoid using spray perfumes and body splashes; instead, consider using natural oils. *Prolonged exposure to water. It would seem as though moisture would be a good thing, but too much water from a long bath or swim can cause skin flare-ups. Take short baths and keep the temperature lukewarm-high temperatures and sudden changes in temperature can exacerbate or trigger eczema flare-ups. *Reduce stress. People tend to experience higher incidences of eczema and rosacea when under stress. Introduce a relaxation technique into your daily life, such as meditation, yoga, or walking. With increased physical activity, be careful about sweating too much, which can irritate sensitive skin, too. If you do have a prolonged, unexplained rash or irritation, it's always best to visit your doctor. Some forms of eczema, like atopic dermatitis, may require prescription creams and medications. **************************************** So, if you have perfect skin and a healthy skin fence to protect you, you may not have to pay such close attention to your daily routine. If your skin's fence is damaged, what can you do to get back to perfect? First, avoid additional damage --- the guidelines above are a great place to start. Read labels and leverage the internet - the answer is out there. Second, start a diary! (What did I touch today?) In my case, I know my skin well enough that I will feel the 'mental itch' about 30 minutes after coming into contact with an irritant. I gently wash, rinse, and dry my hands many times during the day (no soap!) to wash off irritants before they can penetrate my skin's fence. I also know from when my skin had the 'eczema flare', the cause and effect cycle was about 30 hours. So, if I something 'got me' on Monday morning, the physical signs would be apparent on Tuesday afternoon. If you keep a diary of the things that you do (like the dishes), you may be able to quickly look back at yesterday to narrow down what you triggers may be. Third, find and use only products that are neutral or provide some protective benefit for the layers of your skin. There are a myriad of products that claim that they will prevent or help your irritation. Read, read, read the ingredients to make sure they don't have any hidden irritants. Of course, I recommend the SkinFence family of skincare/skin protection products. SkinFence was born from my personal battle with eczema. Since formaldehyde is my main enemy and is an ingredient in many hand lotions, you can imagine the harm that I was causing by self-poisoning my own skin. SkinFence is based from organic and all-natural products. The few chemical additives are all 'eczema friendly' compounds to enhance the SkinFence feel, increase the skin protective qualities, or support the natural moisturizers. For more information, please visit www.skinfence.com or www.facebook.com/skinfence . Regards, Jeff Harry Founder, SkinFence