Tips and Tricks for Dealing with Eczema {Eczema Awareness Month} #AveenoEczemaTherapy #IC #ad

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for AVEENO® Eczema Therapy. I received product samples as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Let's talk eczema!

Did you know that more than 30 million people in the Unites States live with eczema? This month is National Eczema Awareness Month, a month to try to spotlight the reality of living with eczema. 

Perhaps you're reading this and thinking, 'What's the big deal? Why a month of awareness? It's JUST a little dry skin, right? Maybe a little itch, but no big deal...right?'

I'll be honest, I used to believe the same thing... until my daughter! Now, I GET IT! Eczema is no joke. It is more than just a little dry skin and a mild itch. It is being up all night with a child who cannot stop scratching. It is changing your routine to avoid any triggers that might set off a flare up. It is watching what you put on your child- both in skincare products and clothing- so that they are not irritated. It is buying product after product, medicine after medicine trying to find the right combination that will do the job for you/your child.

Over the last year, through our journey with my daughter's eczema, I have certainly learned a lot. One thing I have learned is that it can be a little different for every person... what works for MY daughter, might not work for you. But there are some tips that tend to be true for all:

Avoid Triggers: For my daughter, we have found there are a few triggers that make her eczema worse- including some foods, like gluten. You might not find food to be an issue, but perhaps certain types of clothes, skincare products, etc. Try to determine what those triggers are for you, and avoid them when possible. 

Prescription Medications: Now, I am usually the last one to suggest prescriptions, but for my daughter, even the best management techniques were ineffective until she was put on a prescription allergy medicine daily. Once the medicine helped take the edge off of it, our daily care routines actually started to work too. So, if you've tried it all, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor to see about what medications might work for you. Then, use the next tips to keep it maintained...

Bathtime: During baths, you want to be sure that you are using lukewarm water and using gentle products that do not dry out or irritate your child's skin. Avoid heavily scented products. Rather than rubbing with a washcloth, pat instead. Also pat dry after the bath as well.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize: I cannot say this enough! After the bath is over, don't wait for skin to dry before lathering it on! Moisturizing wet skin will help keep that moisture locked in. Moisturize throughout the day as needed- morning, bedtime, with each diaper change, whatever works for you. Keeping skin moisturized is one of the best things you can do to keep eczema under control.

When it comes to skincare products, one of the most recommended products I found was the AVEENO®/AVEENO® Baby Eczema Therapy Collection! This line was developed with leading dermatologists and has been awarded the National Eczema Seal of Acceptance for its gentle soothing and superior ingredients!  They are fragrance-free and hypoallergenic with soothing ACTIVE NATURALS® Colloidal Oatmeal that targets the four main issues associated with eczema: itch, roughness, dryness and irritation. We love the soothing relief that these products provide. With the aid of her daily allergy medication, they work together to help keep her eczema symptoms at bay- making for a much happier mom and baby! It's truly no wonder that it comes so highly recommended- not just by dermatologists and pediatricians- but by those living with eczema every day! It works great, is readily available AND won't break the bank.

If you're looking for great products to help maintain your or your child's eczema, be sure to give the AVEENO®/AVEENO® Baby Eczema Therapy Collection a try!! Visit this link to learn more about ecezema and AVEENO® products. 

Do you or your little one struggle with eczema? What tips and tricks have you found to keep it under control? I'd love to hear them in the comments below!