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Lets take a closer look at some of the more common forms of eczema.

Atopic eczema is associated with a family history of allergies. It’s considered an inherited form of eczema since the majority of people with atopic eczema themselves have problems with allergies or they have relatives who suffer from allergies, asthma or hay fever. Atopic eczema usually first appears during infancy and it flares and subsides regularly throughout life.

Seborrheic eczema is very often misdiagnosed as dry skin. This common type of eczema is not at all associated with dry skin. It’s actually believed to be somehow related to genetics, although the relationship has yet to be defined. The symptoms of seborrheic eczema include scaly skin that usually appears on top of the head and around the eyebrows, ears and nose, however, it can also appear on the chest.

It seems to be a skin condition that more often affects men than women and it doesn’t usually become a problem until after puberty. After that however, seborrheic eczema flares frequently. Interestingly, it also appears in patients with some forms of mental or neurological issues such as mental retardation and Parkinson’s disease.

To treat seborrheic eczema on the head, wash daily with shampoo that contains tar, salicylic acid, sulfur or selenium. For skin, apply hydrocortisone cream. Systemic antibiotics are sometimes prescribed as well.

Cradle cap is a form of seborrheic eczema that affects infants. It’s easy to diagnose by the appearance of patches of thick, yellowish scales atop an infant’s head. It sometimes appears in the diaper area, neck, face and behind ears, too. It’s harmless and goes away quickly when treated. Use shampoo formulated for infants, then after shampooing, lightly massage and brush scalp with a soft brush. If it doesn’t improve, it’s important to seek medical advice.

Varicose eczema is caused by poor circulation usually due to obesity, menopause and pregnancy. This type of eczema most often appears on the lower leg area around the ankles. Symptoms don’t usually appear until mid-life. It’s important to treat this type of eczema otherwise the affected areas of skin could break down and form ulcers. Steroid creams and emollients are effective treatments.

The discoid type of eczema is characterized by round patches the size of coins appearing on the lower part of the legs, arms and the trunk. The patches are itchy and they sometimes weep. Discoid eczema seems to have no apparent trigger and usually develops suddenly and mostly in older men.

Contact dermatitis is another form of eczema that develops when irritants come into contact with skin. It results in localized inflammation in the area where contact occurred. It results from exposure to toxic chemicals rather than allergens, either just once or after several such contacts. A one-time exposure, usually to highly toxic chemicals, is considered an acute case and can cause red, thick, scaly skin.

A cumulative case is far more common and results from repeated exposure to any number of milder irritants such as laundry detergents, soap and even urine or saliva. Continual exposure only prolongs the problem. Dry, red skin that is thick and cracks and sometimes has papules is the result of this form of eczema, which is also hard to treat.

Have a look at our ebook Cure Your Eczema, a no nonsense ebook that reveals exactly how to eliminate adult or child eczema within a few short days. All you need do is use the readily available natural ingredients in the correct dossages at the correct times as explained in the ebook. It works extremely well and is the reason why I now only recommend using natural products for skin care. Click Here to get your copy now.

Did you know that when a sun protection product is labelled as water resistant it indicates that the product keeps its degree of sunburn protection after 40 minutes of water exposure but if it is labelled as waterproof it means that the product keeps its degree of sunburn protection after 80 minutes of water exposure?

Just as your body needs different clothing to protect it against the changing weather, your skin needs a different skin care regime to properly protect it from the elements. As the body’s largest organ, skin is far more delicate than you probably realize. Here is a closer look at how winter versus summer affects skin and its care.

Why is skin care different in winter than in summer months?

Winter months generally are colder and drier than summer months when heat and humidity levels are on the rise. When skin is exposed to the harsh winter weather, it takes a beating, becoming excessively dry, irritated and chapped. Clothing protects most skin but we often fail to protect our faces. Moving indoors isn’t any better. Constantly running heaters and dehumidifiers sap every bit of moisture from the air.

During the summer, temperatures warm and more skin becomes exposed to the elements. Higher temperatures and humidity levels increase the amount of sweat the body produces in an attempt to cool off. As an unintentional consequence, skin becomes oilier and more prone to pimples and other irritation. Swimming is great way to cool off however exposure to harsh pool chemicals and salt water can lead to excessive dryness.

Tips for protecting skin during the winter months

Apply sunscreen regularly because you’re just as likely to sunburn in the winter as you are in summer. Apply a sunscreen, moisturizer or make-up with a minimum SPF of 15. Be sure to protect lips by wearing lipstick or lip balm with sun protection. Stop licking lips!

Moisturize. Add moisture to inside air by turning on a humidifier. If you don’t have one, place a pan of water near radiator or heat source. Plants help moisturize the air. Add moisture to your body by using emollient-based soaps, lotions and creams.

Take shorter, warmer showers and baths. Hot water strips away natural oils as does staying submerged in water. Adding moisturizers to bath water helps, but take care when exiting as tub will be slippery.

Reduce the number of times you apply toner after cleansing and use toners with no or low alcohol levels. Gently exfoliate using a washcloth or scrub to remove dead skin cells and stimulate skin.

Tips for protecting skin during summer months

Always protect your skin from the effects of ultraviolet radiation by applying sunscreen, wearing sun protective clothing, and seeking shade whenever possible. Stay out of the sun when it’s strongest, between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Excessive sweat and oils clog pores so use a cooling cleanser containing salicylic acid to keep skin blemishes under control. Cleansers made with eucalyptus or menthol extracts feel good and help keep pores clean and open.

Change your moisturizing products because skin doesn’t need as much moisturizing protection during summer as it does during winter.

Always rinse your body with cool water after swimming to remove chlorine and salt.

A facial mask applied once a week will deep-clean pores and help skin retain its natural pH balance. Use a mister to keep skin cool and moist.

Start looking after your skin while you are still young, remember your skin starts aging from the moment you are born and facing up to weather, both Summer and Winter only speeds up the skin aging process. We recommend you only use natural skin care products and even better, that you make your own to ensure the integrity of the ingredients. You can download our recipe ebook by clicking here.