A Day in the Life: Eczema Emergency Kit

I believe every person suffering from eczema should have an emergency kit. Just in case. Each emergency kit should have lotion, an emollient and topical steroids or immunomodulators. One emergency kit should be kept in a safe spot in your workplace and/ securily wrapped in your purse or pouch (be wary to prevent spills!).

My current emergency kit includes:

1. Cetaphil Lotion

2. Aveeno Eczema Care Lotion

3. A 4. Ounce container of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

4. A small container of Vaseline/Petroleum Jelly

5. Cortizone 10/ 1% hydrocortisone cream

Hope this helps!

Love, 

Lhea J.

Professional Skin: Traveling with Eczema

Dear Frequent Flyers,

Sometimes if we are not careful, eczema, psoriasis and adult acne can become a debilitating condition. A physical condition, if not carefully monitered can begin to affect ones psychological and social health. 

Eczema does not have to harm your peace of mind, your social status or your professional career. 

Here are a few things you can do so that you can travel with ease:

1. Request a non-smoking hotel room

2. Travel with eczema travel kit

----- Daily Medication (if any)

----- 1% Hydrocortisone Cream (for unexpected breakouts)

-----  Vaseline (great emollient)

----- Olive Oil (In well sealed, small, portable container)

----- Lotion (stay away from hotel lotion. Cera Ve, Cetaphil, Eucerine work well)

----- Soap (stay away from hotel soap/detergent. Aveno, Cetaphil, Homemade Soap, or Oatmeal may work well)

---- Shampoo (stay away from hotel shampoo)

---- Plastic Covers for Pillows

I reckon, when you have eczema... you can never be too careful. 

Love,

Lhea J.

Lhea's Secret Remedy: Oatmeal

Dear Beautiful, 

If Olive Oil is a gift from God, then Oatmeal is rain from heaven. It is one of the best natural defenses against eczema.

One gentle soap that is often recommended by Dermatologist is Aveeno Soap.  The bars are oatmeal based. The Aveeno line of products also offers an oatmeal - based bath product.

Each person with chronic eczema should have two routines in their arsenal: daily skin care for break out prevention and emergency care for break out reduction.

The routine for each person will be different, as everyone's skin and immune system responds differently.

For Daily Skin Care for Breakout Prevention:

Oatmeal can be used once a week in bath

Oatmeal can be used every other week as a facial mask

For Emergency Care for Breakout Reduction:

Oatmeal can be used daily as a facial mask

Oatmeal can be used with every bath or shower as a soap

Hope this helps!

Love,

Lhea J.

Brown Eczema: Do You Need a Black Dermatologist?

Dear Brown Skin, 

To be a member of a community which prides itself on its style/appearance and have eczema can be a devastating phenomenon. What is a black woman if she does not have her looks?

Luckily, you may never have to find the answer to that question.

The first step is to find a great dermatologist. While you don't need an African-American dermatologist, you do need a skin specialist who is used to observing Black skin. 

In the mean time, there are a few simple steps that you may take to keep your skin healthy and most importantly, within your control.

PREVENTION

to decrease the chances of flare-ups...

• Find a great dermatologist with experience in treating Black skin
• Increase your water intake (8-12 glasses per day)
  
• Olive Oil and Baby Oil Gel soothe the skin
  
• Cera Ve Cream or Cetaphil Cream lock in moisture
  
• Avoid extremely hot showers and baths (dries skin faster)
• Oatmeal, itself, or Oatmeal-based soaps (such as Aveeno) are gentle
  

REACTION

to decrease the effect of flare-ups, once they have occurred...

• Monitor your diet: Caffeine increases breakouts that already begun
  
• Monitor your diet: Citrus often increases breakouts that have already begun
  
• Monitor your diet: Soy may increase breakouts that have already begun
  
• During bathing, cloths may irritate skin
  
• After bathing, do not towel dry
  
• After bathing, apply Olive Oil, Baby Oil Gel or Cream while still wet
  
• Prescriptions: An antibiotic may stop reaction. Reactions are often perpetuated by an infection
  
• Prescriptions: Hydrocortisone may decrease flare-up
  
• Prescriptions: Protopic (non-steroid) is better on the face
  
• Prescriptions: Triamcinalone will decrease flare up, if Hydrocortisone no longer works. Please note: Use of Triamcinalone WILL make your skin thinner. Your skin will tear and bleed much easier than it did prior to use.
  
• Prescriptions: Predisone (oral or injection) will decrease flare up, but may have long term effects on internal organs. Please ask your doctor about all long term side-effects before using the medication.
  

What Flare ups look like, on Black skin: (Face, Arm & Neck, shown below)