ECZEMA AWARENESS MONTH - ITCHY SKIN TIPS FROM OUR SOCIAL MEDIA WARRIORS
October marks the beginning of Eczema Awareness Month. Eczema can look and feel different for everyone who suffers, and no two cases are alike. Use this month as a great opportunity for sharing itchy skin management tips, discussing personal experiences of eczema and raising awareness of what life can be like for those who suffer. Skin health can have a huge psychological effect, often leaving those suffering with a skin condition feeling isolated. That is why we love the Sorted Skin community we have grown on social media! Knowledge is wealth when it comes to skin conditions, so we’ve rounded up some of our favourite dry skin warriors to share their own experiences and tips around eczema.
If eczema is a recent development for you, it can take a lot of trial and error to find what works for you. The methods and products that work for some might not work for others, so it’s important to keep track of your own symptoms, and monitor how your skin reacts to different conditions. Why not try out these tips and see how they work for you?
Harriet AKA @eczemawithharrii shares her secret weapon, an Air Cooler Unit... ‘‘Dealing with a skin condition can make the pain and the relentless itch-scratch cycle unbearable. On my journey, I had to try different methods of cold versus heat therapy to manage the discomfort. After trying several options, I finally found cold treatment to be my go-to. Initially, I used ice packs and gels, but as we hit one of the hottest days on record in the UK, I decided to invest in the big leagues…’’ Experimenting with a few different options can help you workout what works best for you and your skin. ‘‘It was a bit pricey, but worth every penny! Since the start of summer, I’ve slept with it on every night, even when it wasn’t that hot. It turns out that a lot of my night-time itching was triggered by the heat in my environment. While cold treatment works wonders for me, I recommend experimenting with heat compresses and other methods to see what works best for you. Happy Hunting!’’
Top tip: If you don't want to commit to a larger purchase, like an air-con unit, why not try putting your favourite skincare products in the fridge? A few chilled spritzes of our Intensive Rescue Spray can provide soothing relief from irritation, helping to break the dreaded itch-scratch cycle on contact and leaving dry skin feeling moisturised for up to 72 hours.
It’s not just about the products you choose to apply to your skin, it’s important to think about the clothing options that you are reaching for too. Bethany from @bee.thebrave recommends wearing layers, especially during autumnal periods, so that you can quickly take them off and reduce the heat on your skin if you develop an itching fit. Think long sleeves and long legged clothing, in soft cotton fabric to avoid skin on skin contact that could trigger a flare-up. Above all, it’s important to be kind to yourself and your skin during difficult periods! ‘‘Remember itching isn’t your fault and you’re not going backwards after an itch fit!’’ Eczema can have a huge effect on your mental health, so being kind to yourself through difficult periods is very important!
Jennifer from @jenniferaustinhypnotherapy also shares the importance of prioritising your mental health this Eczema Awareness Month. ‘‘Don’t underestimate the influence your mental health has on your skin condition; stress can cause and exacerbate flares as easily as an allergen. When flaring, you experience grief for the things you can’t do, and it can take a toll. Seek support within the community and/or with a professional therapist, who can help you cope with the mental impact, anxiety and fears which develop when living with a skin condition. Start a ‘good things’ journal by writing down what made you smile each day, no matter how small, to bring your awareness to things outside of your condition and boost your serotonin!’’
Shared experiences and conversation can help you feel supported during difficult periods with your skin. You can find us on Instagram at @sorted.skin, where you can share your person experiences, ask your itching skincare questions, and discover our Sorted Skin community of itchy skin influencers!
The Intensive Rescue Range is the perfect addition to your itchy skin routine. With triple-action formulas designed to break the itch-scratch cycle and leave skin feeling nourished, and 72 hour moisture-locking technology to keep the good stuff soaked in for even longer. Packed with a whopping 19 natural essential oils and extracts, this line-up features a dream team of ingredients like Oat Extract to soothe, Jojoba to lock in moisture, Aloe Vera to calm, Sea Buckthorn for omegas, Pentavitin for hydration and Zeolite to detoxify - a true powerhouse for your dry, itchy and dehydrated skin.
