Eczema itches. There is no way to escape that fact of life when you have atopic dermatitis. All the experts say that scratching itchy skin during eczema flare-ups is a bad idea, but sometimes, it's hard to follow that advice.
The best way to manage the itching is to avoid eczema triggers and follow your treatment plan, but flare-ups are sometimes unavoidable and leave you with persistent itching. There are ways to manage the itch, however, without scratching.
Prescription Medicines
If you have had eczema for a while, your doctor has probably prescribed medicines to relieve symptoms. You may use a combination of prescription medication and over-the-counter remedies. If these have been effective for you, you should use them as soon as you notice a flare-up on your skin. Doctors usually suggest treatments that include:
- Corticosteroids
- Crisaborole ointment
- Pimecrolimus cream or tacrolimus ointment
- Coal tar
Home Remedies
There are other ways to soothe itchy skin from eczema. You can use them alongside any medication that your doctor has recommended.
Cool the skin. Using cool compresses or ice packs on skin that is inflamed and itchy can provide quick relief. The cool temperature soothes the swelling that accompanies eczema flares and numbs the skin, so you don't feel the itching quite so intensely. A cool shower or bath can provide similar relief if you need to cool large areas of skin.
Cider Vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has a surprising number of uses outside the kitchen, including as a remedy for itching. Cider vinegar has a high acid content, and some experts suggest that it might balance the pH of your skin. You can use cider vinegar in your bath or add it to the cool water you use for a compress.
Oatmeal Bath. Oatmeal is another product that sounds like a cooking ingredient but is actually good for the skin. Colloidal oatmeal is made by grinding the grain of oats into a fine powder. It's added to skin care products because it is an effective emollient that moisturizes skin. You can buy oatmeal bath products, or you can make your own by grading oatmeal into a fine powder and adding it to bathwater.
As with any new treatment for eczema, you should perform a patch test before using it more extensively. Apply a small amount to your wrist or arm and wait 24 hours. If your skin doesn't react to the new product, you can try using it on larger areas of skin. If you have questions, you should talk to your doctor.
