If you suffer from eczema, you know the agony of unpredictable flare-ups, itchy discomfort, and the downright embarrassing patches it can leave on your skin in its wake. What the heck is this crud? And, for vanity’s sake, can someone please give us a cure?

Here are a few answers to your questions, as well as suggestions to keep your personal eczema epidemic in check.

Eczema 101

Eczema is a chronic atopic skin condition that usually begins in childhood, although it can develop in adults. Once it starts, it can be difficult to stop because the body becomes hypersensitive to other triggers. As the range of causes is so varied – many of which aren’t even known – experts have struggled to find a single cure for eczema.

However, a healthy diet and lifestyle combined with the right health and body care products have been shown to relieve the symptoms, and can sometimes cure the condition.

Symptoms of eczema include:

• Red, itchy patches of skin.
• Excessively dry skin.
• Skin that itches, cracks, peels, or oozes.
• Patches of skin that have small red bumps that eventually rupture and peel.
• Areas of skin that crack and bleed as repeat eczema flare-ups compound on one another.

Eczema can occur on any part of the body but it is most typically found on the hands, feet, face, neck, and arms. It also likes to reside in creased areas of the body, so flare-ups can appear on the insides of elbows, the backs of knees, and even around the eyes.

It can be triggered by a contact dermatitis, often as a reaction to chemicals found in soaps, lotions, shampoos, and laundry detergents or softeners. Eczema can also be triggered by food allergies, stress, and a suppressed immune system.

Is There a Cure for Eczema?

To date, there is no single cure for eczema because the range of causes is so vast. However there are things that have been shown to help. For example:

• Using products with all-natural ingredients.
• Taking shorter, cooler baths or showers. Hot water exacerbates eczema.
• Using eczema-specific creams and sprays, such as Vi-tae’s All-natural Psoriasis/Eczema Healing spray.
• Keeping skin dry but hydrated.
• Using a humidifier. Dry climates are worse for those with eczema.
• Keeping a food journal can isolate foods that may trigger flare-ups. Not surprisingly, eczema is often a symptom of wheat/gluten sensitivity.

Check out Vi-tae to find products designed for your holistic skin health.