Managing Eczema conditions.

As we're approaching a cold front, I wanted to address something you or someone you know might be experiencing. Eczema can be painful and stressful.

Eczema causes the skin to become inflamed and irritated. It is almost always itchy. Affected areas are usually dry and scaly. At times, it'll appear as a rash. It's unknown what really causes this condition but it's been linked to an overactive response by the body's immune system to an irritant, family history of allergies and food allergies. Although there's no cure for this condition, there are ways to help reduce symptoms.

Here are 5 important steps to arm yourself with:

1. Know the cause of the flare ups. Do you have a family history of allergies? Are you using toxic ingredients or harsh irritants in your skincare/makeup product, laundry detergent, soaps, shampoos and conditioners? Find out what's causing the condition and eliminate them immediately.

2. Spike your day with vitamins and nutrients. Boost your immune system with antioxidants such as vitamin A, B, C, and E, green tea, omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils, flaxseed, starflower or blackcurrant oil supplements, and probiotic supplements. Chlorophyll can also be taken daily as this neutralises acidity in the body.

3. Keep skin hydrated at all times. The first line of defense is a gentle skincare routine that can provide the skin with vitamins, nutrients, moisture and reduces inflammation. Well formulated skincare can benefit by improving the outer skin barrier and keeping skin moist. Argan Skin Rescue and Healing Hand & Body Balm are rich in fatty acids and may help control flare ups topically.

4. Eat a healthy diet and eliminate food that trigger flare ups.

5. Ease stress with mind and body techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga and meditation. Several studies have shown that easing stress and anxiety not only relieve eczema symptoms, but also cut down the number of eczema attacks.

The key to controlling eczema is prevention.