13 Tips to Manage Eczema

Eczema is a remarkably common skin condition, affecting some 15 million people in the United States. While not dangerous or contagious, the condition (also known as atopic dermatitis) is incurable and uncomfortable, usually causing red, swollen, and itchy skin.

Despite its prevalence, the root causes of eczema remain a bit of a mystery. Scientists do know that both genetics and environmental factors play a role, but beyond that, the science gets a little vague. Fortunately, the factors that cause eczema to flare up are easier to spot—the key is identifying and avoiding these triggers.

Dermatologists recommend following these 13 tips to help prevent and manage eczema flare ups:

• Limit your contact with irritants, including household cleaners, detergents, aftershaves, soap, gas, turpentine, and other solvents.
• Wash your hands only when necessary, as soap and wetness can irritate eczema. Dry your hands completely after you wash them.
• If you're going to work around water or other irritants, wear vinyl or plastic gloves to protect your hands. Take occasional breaks to remove the gloves to avoid sweat buildup.
• Wear gloves when you go outside during the winter. Cold air and low humidity can dry out skin, and dryness can make eczema worse.
• Wear clothes made of cotton or a cotton blend. Wool and some synthetic fabrics can irritate skin.
• Use a small amount of mild soap in cool or warm water when showering or bathing. Soaking in the tub for 15 to 20 minutes can help skin absorb water, making it less likely to dry out. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel.
• Use prescription creams or ointments or over-the-counter versions right after bathing when eczema flares up. If the area becomes infected, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. Other treatments include antihistamines and tar treatments to reduce itching, and ultraviolet light applied directly to the skin.
• Use a skin moisturizer daily to keep your skin soft, flexible, and uncracked. Avoid moisturizers with fragrances and extra ingredients.
• Avoid scratching or rubbing itchy areas. Scratching can break the skin, which can encourage bacteria and cause infections. Reach for a cold compress when you get the urge to scratch.
• Avoid getting too hot and sweaty.
• Rinse your clothes twice after washing, and always wash new clothes before wearing them. This process will remove any laundry detergent, fragrances, or fabric conditioners that could irritate skin.
• Learn how to manage stress, which can cause eczema to flare up.
• Continue skin care even after your skin has healed. The area where you had the eczema may get irritated again rather easily.

12 Tips for an Allergy-Free Vacation

When vacations kick into high gear, allergies and asthma often follow suit. The good news? "There are steps you can take to minimize your symptoms," said Dr. Richard W. Weber, an academy leader and allergist in Denver, Colo. He recommends following these tips from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology:

• Consider visiting your allergist or immunologist for a physical if you're planning to go on a long vacation.

• Turn on your vehicle's air-conditioner or heater and open the windows for at least 10 minutes to flush out dust mites or molds before starting a long car trip.

• Close your windows and turn on the AC during trips if you are allergic to outdoor pollens and molds.

• Travel in the early mornings or late evenings to avoid excess air pollution. Air quality is better at that time of day because the traffic isn't as heavy as at other times.

• Stay in a hotel that offers "allergy-free" guest rooms.

• Request a sunny, dry hotel room away from indoor pools.

• Use extreme caution when eating airline or restaurant food to keep from setting off your food allergies. The ingredients that bring out your allergies may not be listed on the menus.

• Make sure to carry your portable, injectable epinephrine in case of a severe allergic reaction.

• If you're traveling by air, delay your trip until your symptoms of sinusitis or a sinus or ear infection get better. Air travel can cause significant pain.

• Take a short-acting oral decongestant or use a nasal spray decongestant about one hour before takeoff if you believe air travel will cause pain.

• Use saline nasal spray once every hour to keep very dry air on airplanes from drying out your nasal membranes.

• Make sure you bring along more than enough medications and store them in their original containers with instructions on how to take them and obtain refills.

6 Easy Ways to Beat the Heat

A little fun in the sun is one thing, but when it could put you at risk for heat stroke, it's time to take some precautions. That's the message from the Pennsylvania Medical Society and experts all across the country, who warn both adults and children alike that heat stroke is a potentially deadly illness to be avoided—even if it means sacrificing a day at the beach.

Summer Survival Strategies

"Heat stroke is not an accident," says Dr. Marilyn J. Heine, an emergency-room physician in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. "But it's a condition that generally can be prevented with a little effort and lots of common sense." She offers the following tips for keeping cool:

• Don't overexert yourself.
• Drink a quart of fluids an hour.
• Wear loose clothing in light colors and fabrics, as well as a hat and sunscreen, and stay in the shade or indoors if possible.
• Open windows and use fans, or turn on the air-conditioning. If you don't have air-conditioning, go to a public place that does, like a mall, library, or movie theater.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can speed up dehydration.
• Check on elderly and chronically ill persons regularly to make sure they're holding up under the heat.

Happens Too Frequently

Despite the many preventative measures people can take, heat stroke happens frequently. "Over the summer, we see too many cases of heat-related illness in the emergency room," Heine says. Professional athletes, players at the high-school and college level, as well as non-athletes, have all fallen victim to the potentially life-threatening condition.

In fact, Heine recalls a 78-year-old woman who was rushed to the ER after a neighbor noticed she hadn't left her apartment for two days when temperatures surpassed 90 degrees. The woman was dehydrated, with a temperature of 104.7 degrees and decreased blood pressure of 100/70. Fortunately, she was resuscitated with intravenous fluids and then hospitalized, Heine says.

What Is Heat Stroke?

Heat stroke is an injury to internal organs caused by excessively high body temperature that can damage the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and other organs. There are two types of heat stroke: exertional, or activity-induced, which primarily affects athletes, laborers, and soldiers; and classic, or non-exercise-induced, which can affect anyone exposed to extremely hot environments for extended lengths of time.

In general, those most at risk for classic, or non-exercise-induced, heat stroke are the elderly; infants; people with chronic illness, such as heart and other cardiovascular diseases; and people on certain medications. Individuals who consume large amounts of caffeine and alcohol may also be susceptible, Heine warns.

Symptoms of Heat Problems

So, how can you predict when the heat is most likely to take its toll? Relative humidity of at least 70 percent and temperatures of 95 degrees or more are the first warning signs, according to the National Weather Service. Also, be alert to other heat-related afflictions, such as heat cramps (characterized by muscle spasms and a normal temperature), and heat exhaustion (evidenced by pale, moist skin, headache, dizziness, nausea, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, elevated temperature, and profuse sweating). If you experience any of these symptoms, get out of the heat, rest, and drink plenty of cool fluids, preferably ones containing sugar and salt, Heine suggests.

The symptoms of a full-blown case of heat stroke are similar to those mentioned above but are even more severe and may include:

• profuse sweating, then hot, dry, red skin;
• high fever;
• vomiting;
• confusion;
• seizures during cooling;
• unconsciousness.

Blood pressure may be low or high; lack of sweating is common, though athletes may perspire; and body temperature often will be 105 degrees or higher.

If a friend or family member experiences any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately, move the victim to a cooler location, remove any heavy clothing, fan the body, apply a cool sponge or cloth to the skin, and encourage the individual to drink cool fluids. At the hospital, the patient probably will be given fluids intravenously, Heine says.