Irrepressible itching, inflammation, discomfort... Your skin does not leave you in peace. As a result, your activities and social life are affected, because suffering from a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis deteriorates your quality of life. Fortunately, there are many solutions to relieve and soothe yourself every day.
Eczema and psoriasis: using the cold to fight against itching
Pruritus, i.e. itching, is a major symptom of eczema and often of psoriasis. Among the solutions to reduce the intensity of itching, the application of cold has been shown to be effective. For example, smooth pebbles can be applied to the itchy area after being stored in the refrigerator to combat the urge to scratch. For more tips, see our spotlight page on anti-itching tips and care.
Eczema and psoriasis: medical make-up to correct and enhance
Flaking with or without hypersensitivity and redness... In the case of eczema and psoriasis, medical make-up solutions exist. Products formulated to be tolerated by the most fragile skins and adapted techniques allow you to correct and even out your complexion. Discover all the options available to you to camouflage the flaws of your skin, while respecting its balance.
Even in the summer, I wore cardigans. I would have rather been warm than show my forearms.
Carole
Therapeutic education to live better with the disease
Eczema and psoriasis are skin conditions that can be very visible. Red, oozing lesions or scaly patches are visible to others. This has a strong impact on self-esteem, as well as on social relationships, both personally and professionally. It’s hard not to feel scrutinised and judged... Knowing more about your disease gives you the tools to understand how it works and to live with it better. For this, therapeutic education, acquired from skin health professionals, is a significant plus. It also provides advice on how to soothe and improve the condition of the skin, and therefore the quality of life in general, on a daily basis and over the long term.
Eczema and psoriasis: scratching without damaging the skin is possible
During flare-ups, and sometimes even in remission, it’s impossible to resist the itching of eczema and sometimes psoriasis. This reaction is normal. But to avoid damaging the skin and suffering even more, there are ways to get around the problem by using suitable accessories and relieving the urge to scratch. The use of a massage roller, with a rounded shape, is a good option, for example. Another method is to scratch... something else. You can scratch the soft side of velcro as hard as you like.
Eczema and psoriasis: how to apply emollient to very dry skin
Eczema and psoriasis: daily hygiene
Adopting good hygiene habits every day will help very dry and reactive skin to become more comfortable. The choice of detergent-free products, gentle hand washing in warm water and patting dry are all proven methods for restoring soothed skin and a calmer everyday life. And don't forget to apply a suitable emollient to slightly damp skin. Find all our advice on our spotlight page on proper hygiene.
To benefit from a sensation of freshness that allows you to alleviate the itch, spray on some Avène Thermal Spring Water. In compresses, the effect will be even more calming.
The environment plays an important role in the occurrence of eczema and psoriasis flare-ups. It’s therefore possible to take action by implementing a few simple measures at home. Air out the house daily to remove indoor pollutants such as mold, germs and particles from cleaning products... As for laundry, there’s no need for two rinse cycles, just remember to load the drum less and reduce the amount of washing liquid. The machine will then be able to remove all washing liquid residue.
Anti-stress methods for eczema and psoriasis?
Practicing yoga or mindful meditation can improve the quality of life of patients suffering from eczema or psoriasis. These methods have been shown to improve sleep but also to reduce the stress and anxiety often associated with these conditions.
In general, it’s not inadvisable to have a furry friend if you have eczema. However, there are a few precautions that should be taken, such as regular vacuuming, sleeping separately and brushing your pet outside.
No, psoriasis is not contagious—not by touch, not by clothing and not by physical contact. It is a disease caused by multiple factors: genetic, immunological, etc.
