5 tips to help ease your pain during an eczema flare up

There’s nothing worse than being right in the thick of an eczema flare up, not knowing how to find relief. Here are 5 tips to help ease the pain throughout a flare up. 

1. Rest 

You’ll be surprised at how much rest can speed up the healing process. I find when I’m not thinking about my flare up, my skin instantly feels relieved. Let’s be honest, this is so much harder said than done so I often turn to a complete state of rest during a flare. Don’t overdo it, listen to your body and when it’s telling you to rest, rest. This includes Netflix in bed. 

2. Ease up on the inflammatory foods 

Inflammatory foods are only going to put more pressure on your system that’s already working overtime during a flare up. For me, it’s caffeine, an overload on gluten and dairy, high citrus foods, and night shades like eggplant and spices. I opt for foods like lots of greens, papaya, leeks, spring onions, spuds, fresh salmon. 

3. Check your skincare 

I have found that stripping back my skincare actually helps my skin heal because there’s less heat in the skin. I reduce the amount of oils I put on my skin because sometimes it feels too hot which then leads to itching. It sounds counter-productive in that keeping your skin moisturised usually means no dryness and therefore no itching. But when the skin is visibly inflamed and red, adding more creams and oils can do more harm than good at times.

4. Say it with me ‘cold compress’

The most underrated friend during a flare up. I started off with a wet towel in the freezer, then found a cooling face mask that I leave in the freezer full time for whenever I need relief. So simple, yet so effective to reduce swelling and redness without any side effects, whatsoever.

5. Do what makes you happy 

I’m a huge believer in trying your best to take your mind off things, whatever that may look like. For me, it’s sometimes an epsom salt bath, other times, it’s literally just sleeping. Find that outlet, and just do it. It will make you feel so much better and more often than not it’ll take your mind off everything. 

Want to know more tips and tricks on how to kick-start your healing journey? Find out more here.