People suffering from eczema need to be careful in choosing skin care products. One product that needs attention is soap for eczema. This is because if you choose the wrong soap, then eczema it will be more often recur or get worse.
Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a skin disease characterized by the appearance of a red and very itchy rash, which can appear on one or more areas of the body, such as the face, neck, back, hands, elbows and knees, and scalp.
In addition to rashes and itching, eczema sufferers can also experience other symptoms, such as dry, thickened, cracked, scaly skin, and the appearance of small bumps and swelling when scratched. The skin is also susceptible to infection if it is often scratched.
Eczema can happen to anyone, whether it's babies, children, teens, adults, or the elderly. However, this condition is most common in toddlers.
The exact cause of eczema is not known. Even so, this disease is known to be closely related to allergies, heredity, irritation due to the use of harsh chemical soaps, temperature or weather, to stress.
How to Choose Soap for Eczema Sufferers
People with eczema need to choose a soap for eczema that suits their skin condition. This aims to prevent the recurrence of eczema symptoms and avoid further skin damage.
When you want to choose soap for eczema, follow these tips:
1. Carefully read the ingredients listed on the soap label
Make sure the ingredients in the soap for eczema are gentle and do not pose a risk of irritation and allergies. Some ingredients that can cause irritation and allergies are detergents, antibacterials, and fragrances.
2. Look for soap products with balanced pH
Normal skin acidity level is between pH 4-7. Therefore, avoid soaps that contain strong acids or bases, so that the normal pH of the skin is maintained. Acidity levels outside the normal pH range of the skin can make the skin damaged and irritated, so eczema symptoms will be prone to recurrence.
3. Choose a dye-free soap
The content of dyes in skin cleaning products is at risk of causing irritation and allergies. Therefore, look for dye-free soaps to avoid recurrence of eczema symptoms.
4. Avoid irritating soaps for eczema skin
Eczema skin is different from normal skin. So, avoid soaps that contain ingredients that are irritating to eczema skin, such as AHAs, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and sulfur or sulphur.
5. Choose a soap made from safe for sensitive skin
Those of you who have sensitive skin due to eczema need to use a mild soap. Some ingredients that are gentle and safe for sensitive skin are: niacinamide, ceramide, hyaluronic acid, Aloe vera, shea, and natural oils, such as coconut oil, glycerin, and lanolin. These ingredients are less likely to irritate the skin and can help retain moisture in the skin.
After you choose a particular soap product, you should do a trial before using it. The trick is to apply a little soap on the wrist or elbow crease, then leave it for a few hours.
After that, pay attention to the area that is smeared with soap. If irritation or allergic reactions occur, such as redness, peeling, itching, and pain, do not use these products and choose other soap products.
In addition, the skin's tolerance for soap ingredients may change, depending on the condition of your skin. So, if eczema symptoms appear after some time using certain soap products, stop using them immediately.
Bath Rules for Eczema Sufferers
It's not only the selection of soap that you need to pay attention to if you have eczema. You also need to understand the rules and the correct way of bathing to prevent the recurrence of eczema symptoms.
The following is a recommended way of bathing for people who have eczema:
- Take a warm bath and rub the soap gently all over your body. Do not bathe for too long because it can worsen the condition of eczema. The recommended bath time is only 5-10 minutes.
- After bathing, gently wipe the towel or gently pat it all over the body. Try not to let the skin completely dry. Leave the skin in a slightly damp state for more effective absorption of medications and skin moisturizing products.
- After drying the body with a towel, immediately apply the medicine for eczema. The selection of topical medications for eczema can be adjusted according to the doctor's recommendations and prescriptions.
- Continue by applying a moisturizer that suits your skin condition. Choose a moisturizer that contains ingredients ceramide, colloidal oatmeal, and petroleum, so that the skin is not dry and cracked.
- Before getting dressed, give the skin a moment to absorb all the care products that are applied
Be careful in choosing a soap that is safe for eczema sufferers and first try it yourself, because everyone's reactions are different.
In addition, it is also important to avoid using harsh detergents for cleaning clothes. This is because detergents in clothes can irritate the skin and trigger a recurrence of eczema symptoms.
If you find it difficult to choose a soap for eczema or if the symptoms of eczema do not subside despite doing some of the tips above, don't hesitate to consult a dermatologist.