The inflammatory skin condition known as eczema is a chronic disorder where the immune system overreacts to allergens and irritants. Stress, illnesses, and sleep disturbances are a few examples of factors that can exacerbate inflammatory processes in the body and exacerbate eczema.
A collection of inflammatory skin disorders that result in irritation, redness, and excruciating itching are together referred to as eczema. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, affecting about 31 million people in the US.
Persistent inflammation in eczema sufferers can be caused by irritating hypersensitivity and compromised skin barrier function. Itchy sensations are caused by your immune system overreacting to particles like allergens and releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines.
But the connection between inflammation and eczema doesn't stop there. Systemic inflammatory indicators have been detected in the blood and unaffected skin of certain eczema patients. This implies that the symptoms of eczema might also be influenced by other inflammatory factors.
Although there isn't a treatment for eczema at this time, you can relieve your symptoms by reducing inflammation in your body and keeping them from getting worse.
Get plenty of sleep
The human body needs sleep in order to function properly. Lack of sleep can impair your immune system and lead to a number of long-term mental and physical health issues.
A review published in 2021 discovered that sleep deprivation raises your risk of developing infectious and inflammatory diseases as well as causing a persistent inflammatory state.
That being said, living with eczema makes it difficult to fall asleep sometimes.
As moments of alertness during sleep can cause reflexive scratching, it can be challenging for patients with eczema to have good sleep, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Amy Huang of New York, New York. The majority of people are unaware that they have the potential to wake up two to six times per night. A good night's sleep promotes skin healing and lessens the likelihood that an eczema patient would wake up itching.
Your sleep can be enhanced by:
- Staying away from electronics before bed
- maintaining a regular sleep schedule
- limiting heavy meals and nighttime stimulants like coffee
- engaging in physical activity throughout the day
- keeping your sleeping quarters quiet, dark, and cold
Exercise regularly
Frequent exercise may be helpful in controlling inflammation in the body. According to a 2020 study, a chronic, systemic inflammation linked to physical inactivity can raise your chance of developing chronic diseases. Frequent exercise may aid in the reduction of visceral fat, a factor in chronic inflammation.
Sustaining a moderate weight can also aid in the prevention of other long-term illnesses including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease that exacerbate inflammation.
According to the most recent American physical activity standards, individuals should engage in 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise and two days of muscle-strengthening activities.
Eat a balanced diet
A diet heavy in processed foods and high in calories may exacerbate inflammation by raising the risk of long-term illnesses like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Alcohol, highly processed foods, and foods with added sugar can all directly cause low-grade inflammation in the body.
You can reduce your exposure to inflammatory foods and maintain a moderate weight with the support of a well-balanced diet.
The current dietary recommendations advise against:
- added sugars
- added sodium
- cholesterol
- saturated fats
- trans fats
Additionally, the instructions advise adhering to your calorie requirements and concentrating on:
- produce, whole grains, and fruits
- low-fat or fat-free milk products
- a range of protein sources, including nuts, seeds, beans, shellfish, eggs, and soy products.
By include foods in your diet that may help lower inflammation, you can extend these tactics, such as:
- omega-3 fatty acids
- probiotics
- antioxidants with flavonoids (vibrant fruits and veggies)
- spices like cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric
Reduce infection risk
Your immune system must react to an infection, causing inflammatory processes that could make your eczema symptoms worse.
Huang advises constantly monitoring your skin for any early warning signs of infection, as having eczema may increase your susceptibility to infections. According to her explanation, "skin bacteria can sometimes become superinfected with eczema plaques, which can hinder healing." "Wound healing times can be shortened by promptly treating superinfections."
Inflammation caused by an illness can lessen more quickly the earlier it is treated.
You can lessen your chance of contracting an infection by:
- washing your hands regularly
- wearing a face mask
- Cleaning doorknobs, light switches, and other high-touch locations frequently
- Refrain from using unclean hands to touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
- not transferring goods like drink containers or lip gloss
- resisting the impulse to pick or scratch eczema
Avoid smoking
Smoking has an adverse effect on nearly all of your body's organs. Smoking exposes your cells to thousands of chemicals, at least 250 of which are known to be dangerous.
Smoking damages, irritates, and injures tissues, all of which might set off an inflammatory reaction.
A 2022 study found that the body's inflammatory indicators dramatically drop 12 weeks after quitting smoking, and that the chance of developing some chronic inflammatory illnesses also decreases.
If you smoke and would like to stop, discuss potentially helpful smoking cessation methods with your physician.
Manage stress
A normal aspect of your body's response to stress is inflammation. Your body releases pro-inflammatory chemicals and hormones to get you ready to respond when you sense a danger or threat.
These metabolic activities don't do any harm in the near run. On the other hand, chronic stress results in inflammation that lasts longer and damages your cells.
Preventing chronic stress can be a major component in the fight against systemic inflammation.
Techniques for reducing stress include:
- engaging in art or creativity
- mediation
- counting slowly
- aromatherapy
- mind-body arts like yoga
- breathing exercises
- grounding techniques
- physical activity, such as taking a walk
- listening to music
Stick to your eczema treatment plan
In situations when other inflammatory processes can make your eczema symptoms worse, sticking to your treatment plan can help keep them under control.
Maintaining your present therapy can assist stop an eczema flare-up from getting severe, for example, if you've been skipping sleep.
According to Huang, "seeing a board-certified dermatologist for an evaluation and prompt treatment is the most important tip." "A range of topical, oral, and injectable medications that are effective in treating mild to severe eczema can be prescribed by dermatologists."
She advises utilising delicate skin care products, liberally applying moisturiser, staying away from hot baths and showers, and not scratching too much.
Huang stated that "applying an ice pack wrapped in cloth to stubbornly itchy areas can alleviate itching in many cases" when the itching becomes unbearable.
FAQs
How do you reduce inflammation in eczema?
A general practitioner (GP) may recommend a topical corticosteroid, which is administered directly to the skin and can relieve inflammation in a few of days, if your skin is sore and irritated. The strength of the topical corticosteroids given will depend on the extent of your atopic eczema and the skin areas that are affected.
Is Turmeric good for eczema?
Studies have indicated that using turmeric topically may be able to lessen eczema symptoms. One of the components that makes up your skin, collagen, may be strengthened and produced more effectively by turmeric. Applying it to your skin can aid in the healing of wounds and relieve eczema-related dry, scaly skin.
Is yoghurt good for eczema?
Probiotics, which are found in fermented dairy products like yoghurt, can help cure eczema by enhancing the microbiota of the skin and gut. Regular yoghurt consumption has also been associated with decreased inflammation.
Takeaway
Eczema is a term used to describe a group of skin disorders that are characterised by chronic inflammation and defective skin barriers or hypersensitivity to irritants.
By boosting your body's inflammatory response, other causes of inflammation like smoking, infections, and long-term stress can make eczema symptoms worse.
You can lessen the intensity of flare-ups and regulate the severity of your current eczema symptoms by reducing other sources of inflammation.
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