Lhea's Secret Remedy: Aloe Vera

Dear Bumpy Bodies,

Many people suffering from eczema are prone to other allergy-related diagnosis as well: asthma, psoriasis, hives. People may find that they suffer from asthma in their childhood, outgrow it, while their eczema remains. Others may find that they grew up with eczema, and start to develop hives, quite randomly, later in life. 

Each person's skin and immune system functions differently. You must develop your own personal regiment and remedies. 

There is one plant that every person with sensitive needs to have in their house: The Aloe Vera Plant. 

Yes, you can buy lotion with aloe vera if you want to... You can buy juice with aloe vera from the store. But, the fact of the mater is, there's nothing like the real thing. Besides, the gel within the aloe vera plant oxidizes very quickly, thus there may be preservatives in aloe vera lotions and products that irritate the sensitive skin of people eczema or psoriasis.

The gel inside of the leaves of the Aloe Vera plant are known to have anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties. 

Aloe Vera has cleared up hives within 24 hours on my skin and has helped with hyperpigmentation marks left from healed rashes.

Growing an Aloe Vera plant in your house, just might be the answer to your prayers. 

Love,

Lhea J.

Happy Housekeeping: The Allergy Free Home

Dear Homebodies,

After battling with your boss and coworkers, dealing with your extended family, and bearing the brunt of everyday life, your home should be your haven. 

Your house, your apartment, should not be a battlefield. Unfortunately, for many with eczema their household becomes a battleground: allergens versus skin. And many American homes are not fit to fight the battle.

The number one enemy to an Allergy-Free home is dust mites. Please refer to Happy Housekeeping: The Battle Against Dust Mites.

Here are a few things that you can do to allergy-proof your home:

-----Maintain Indoor Temperature at 65 degrees or below. Heat causes your blood to dialate leading to an itching sensation.

-----Keep humidity below 50% to prevent mold growth. Purchase a dehumidifier. 

-----Use Air Conditioning. Open Windows invite pollen. Fans attract dust.

-----Consider filtering the air.

-----Don't allow smoking in your home.

-----Consider keeping pets outside, or at least out of the bedroom.

-----Beware of areas where mold can grow.

Until next time...

Love,

Lhea J.

A Day in the Life: The Skin Log

Dear Bloggers,

We are approaching one of the four worst times of the year for eczema-folk: the seasonal change. Does it seem that every time you get your skin under control, the season changes, and there are a whole host of new issues to deal with?

Winter brings the driest months which irritate the skin

Spring brings the pollen and insects to ignite the allergies

Summer brings the heat and humidity and sweat just makes everything worse

Fall brings its host of allergens as well.

Well, the best thing we can do is learn our bodies, our skin, our immune systems as best we can.  

If I have a large enough argument at night, I know I will break out over night. I know that I can normally handle orange juice, but if I am already broken/breaking out-- citris will worsen my skin within 24 hours.  I know that caffeine is one of the only things strong enough to break me out immediately, whether I am previously broken out or not. I know that when my skin is normal, I could sleep anywhere and not be disturbed. But, once I have broken out, even jersey sheets make me itch.  I know that if I am broken out long enough, I will get an infection. And once I get an infection my eyes will swell up. 

You may know similar things about your skin or your child's skin.

So, what we must learn is how to prevent it.

If you've had an argument of monstrous proportions with a parent or spouse, is there anything you can take at night to prevent break out in the morning? Once you are broken out, can you avoid citrus (or whatever your irritants may be)? Can you cut caffeine out of your diet completely (or whatever your allergens might be)? Do you know what sleeping conditions you need, so that you can sleep without scratching in your sleep? What temperature the room should be... what material the linen should be...  

Today, let's  begin to pay attention.  Let this be the first day of your skin log. At the conclusion of every day, record what you ate, any changes in mood, duress, if you have contact dermatitis you may even want to record what materials you wore, how often you scratched, figited.  And immediately when you wake up in the morning, take note of how your skin has changed from the night before. Take note of any medication atopic or oral that you've ingested over the course of the day.  And take note of how you cleansed, what you cleansed with, and what you used for moisturizer. Take note of the weather, and the inside temperature and how that affected your itchyness.

Yes, I know, it's a lot of notes. 

But for the largest organ of your body, it deserves it. You deserve it. Your skin is the gateway to the outside world. If you can not protect your skin, you can not protect your internal organs. Let alone the fact that your skin affects how you are considered, judged and treated by others.

Hope this helps!

Love,

Lhea J.

On the Shelf: Eczema Free for Life

Dear Readers:

Many books have been written on 'Beauty', many books have been written on skin, and many articles have been written on the condition of dry skin. However, many eczema sufferers may find that the information in those books and articles does not work for them.

You may find that many of your colleagues and family members can not understand your predicament, and no one has a solution to your discomfort. 

Well, one doctor has tackled the confusing realm of Atopic Dermatitis. Dr. Adnan Nasir has written a magnificent book on controlling your eczema, and not letting your skin condition(s) control you. 

Eczema-Free for Life is a great book for eczema patients and dermatologists alike. It disputes the widely spread notion that eczema is the result of food allergies. Eczema-Free for Life breaks down how healthy skin functions as the outer layer of the immune system and how the skin and immune system interact within persons with eczema. 

With any health complication, the informed/proactive patient becomes the healthy patron. Eczema-Free for life discusses 1. How skin works, 2. How/When eczema spreads, 3. Natural remedies, 4. medications: steroids, immunomodulators amongst others.

Each eczema patient must develop a unique regiment to cure and control their skin. After reading Dr. Nasir's text, you will be best positioned to actively find the perfect remedies for you with a trained health professional. 

Love,

Lhea J.