Eczema 101: Causes & Management

When I first heard my doctor say "You have eczema and there's no cure" - I was confused, scared and hopeless. I though I would be hiding my skin for the rest of my life.

But I've come to learn that with education, mindful management and and gentle skincare routine - you can live freely with eczema.

Million of people have eczema around the world, and more close to home - up to 20% of Canadians have eczema. So remember - you're not alone.

The first step to heling my eczema was to educate myself about eczema & the best management tips & tricks to keep my flare ups under control.

Understanding Eczema: 7 Types, One Common Thread

Eczema might be a familiar term, but do you know what it truly entails? Eczema is an umbrella term for multiple related skin conditions, all of which cause itchy, red skin. Within this group, seven distinct types exist, each bringing different symptoms to the forefront:

• Atopic Dermatitis: A common form of eczema that causes inflammation, dryness, and itchy skin. Though typical in small children, it can occur at any age.
• Contact Dermatitis: Also known as allergic contact dermatitis, this type of eczema is triggered by environmental factors.
• Neurodermatitis: Affects small patches of skin, making them itchy and scaly.
• Dyshidrotic Eczema: This type dries out the skin and can cause a burning sensation, rashes, and blisters.
• Nummular Eczema: Also called nummular dermatitis, this form creates small, rounded lesions all over the body, particularly on the arms and legs.
• Seborrheic Dermatitis: An inflammatory form of eczema that affects the scalp.
• Stasis Dermatitis: This condition leads to skin discoloration on the legs, resembling varicose veins.

What Causes Eczema? Unraveling the Mystery

The causes of eczema have long been a mystery, but researchers have developed several theories to shed light on this condition.

• Genetic Link: Some individuals with atopic dermatitis have a genetic mutation that affects the production of filaggrin, a protein that helps maintain the skin barrier. When this barrier is compromised, the skin becomes more vulnerable to moisture loss.
• Allergic Reaction: People with eczema often have higher levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which can trigger allergic reactions to certain foods or environmental elements.
• Gut Health Connection: For some individuals, encountering unfamiliar chemicals (often processed and lab-created) in the digestive system triggers an inflammatory response that manifests as eczema on the skin's surface.
• Environmental Factors: Extreme weather conditions, like cold and dry air or hot and swampy environments, can trigger eczema flare-ups. These conditions can either dry out the skin or introduce irritating salts from sweat to broken skin barriers.

Regardless of the cause, one thing is clear: eczema is linked to a weakened or broken skin barrier. But fear not! We're here to guide you on how to repair and strengthen your skin barrier naturally.

Nurturing Your Skin: A Skincare Routine for Eczema

The first step to managing eczema is adopting a gentle skincare routine. Follow these easy and preventative measures to nurture your skin:

• Cool to Warm Showers: Opt for cool to warm water instead of hot water, as hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to irritation and inflammation.
• Brief Bathing: Keep your showers and baths short (around 10-15 minutes) to avoid washing away essential surface oils and drying out your skin.
• Choose to be Gentle: Limit your use of soap. Try using it only to clean off dirt; otherwise, wash with water alone. If you do use soap, make sure that it’s a mild, unscented, non-irritating, surfactant-free oil cleanser (such as our The Cleanser)
• Moisturize Promptly: Apply a thick, lipid-based moisturizer immediately after washing to lock in moisture. Lipids (fats)-based moisturizers can help replace the essential fatty acids in your skin to retain moisture & repair it's protective barrier. Tallow (of beef fat) is our top choice as it is contains the same fats and is organically compatible with our skin - meaning it can be absorbed easily into our skin without suffocating our skin and clogging our pores (like a lot of other lab-created lotions do). Try our The Balm.

Unveiling the Power of All-Natural Skincare

Now that you understand the importance of a gentle skincare routine, it's time to harness the power of all-natural, non-irritating skincare products specifically designed to target eczema. Our tallow-based skincare line is handcrafted in small batches and backed by nature's finest & skincare’s oldest ingredients, ensuring you receive only the best for your skin.

Embrace Radiant Skin with Cowbelle Skincare

Say goodbye to itchy, red skin and embrace the confidence that comes with radiant, healthy skin. Our all-natural, tallow-based skincare line, combined with the right self-care routine, will set you on the path to eczema management success.

Let's embark on this journey together and unlock the secret to healthier, happier skin. Remember, you're not alone, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

Embrace your skin, embrace tallow-based skincare! 🐄🤠

For further questions, feel free to leave a comment below or email britt@cowbelleskincare.com!