Eczema Awareness Month

By: Dr. Doris Day

It's Eczema Awareness Month and dermatologist, Dr. Doris Day, has info you need to know if you or someone you know is one of the 4.5 million eczema sufferers in the United States.Dr. Day, what is eczema and how does it affect us?Eczema is a skin disorder that affects millions of people and often occurs in children. In fact, 85 percent of all cases are apparent by the age of five.It appears most often on the cheeks and/or the joints of the arms and legs. It can also be located on infants' heads - otherwise known as "cradle cap."Eczema is very itchy and can be sensitive to the touch and to water. The appearance can also be alarming - consisting of red, leathery, sometimes blister-like patches. In addition to the physical effects of eczema, there are also emotional and social effects for the sufferer. Children can be ridiculed by peers, causing them to withdraw socially. They may also feel isolated, irritated, and frustrated with their condition.What can we do about eczema?The first thing I advise is to avoid irritants. This means avoiding scratchy clothing like wool and avoiding harsh soaps, detergents, and cleansing products that contain alcohol. All of these can dry the skin. It also means avoiding allergens - be it pollen, mold, animal dander, and so on. Most people can effectively manage the disease if they follow this important first step. Another key is using the right skin care regimen as part of a dermatologist-recommended daily routine for the management of eczema symptoms. Cetaphil, the number one dermatologist recommended brand of cleansers and moisturizers just launched Cetaphil Restoraderm - products formulated for Eczema prone skin. Cetaphil Restoraderm skin restoring body wash and Cetaphil Restoraderm skin restoring moisturizer can help replenish the skin barrier for softer, smoother skin. The skin restoring moisturizer is the only product on the market to contain a unique combination of filaggrin breakdown products and ceramides which help restore natural moisturizing factors in the skin and help rebuild a healthy skin barrier. The skin restoring body wash contains unique filaggrin technology which works to replenish and protect. Both have received the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and are intended to be used as part of a daily cleansing and moisturizing routine for the management of eczema. They are proven safe for use on children as young as three months. Eighty-five percent of people who used both products for a two week period described their skin condition as improved. Does diet matter?Yes. A good diet is important to maintain healthy skin. Food rich in fatty acids like olive and canola oils, flax, walnuts, and cold-water fish such as salmon.Omega-3s and Omega-6s found in certain vitamins, like vitamin E and A, are particularly good for skin health. Leafy greens and eggs contain vitamin A and hydrate the lower layers of skin. These foods help produce your skin's natural oil barrier and can help prevent eczema. And drink lots of water - eight 8 oz glasses a day.Where can we go for more information?You can go to Cetaphil.com for more information and you can find the products in drugstores nationwide.