Triple Cream

Jul 26 / 10:30am

Eczema and Triggers

by Michael Liss

We know there are many triggers for eczema. Common triggers in eczema include aeroallergens, climate, emotional stress, hormones, food and irritants. The most frequent aeroallergens are animal danders, cockroach, dust mites, molds, and pollens. Cow’s milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, soy, tree nuts, and wheat are the most common foods allergies that can serve as triggers in eczema. What eczema triggers have you identified for you or your child?

via Jeffrey M. Bienstock, MD, FAAP, National Eczema Association Scientific Advisory Committee member

Jul 22 / 4:31am

Vacation and Skin Care for Children with Eczema

by Michael Liss

Eczema affects adults and children in different ways, so it is hard to predict how your eczema will behave on vacation. In general while on vacation, everyone is more relaxed and having fun and enjoying themselves. Some children find that heat can make their eczema worse, especially when they sweat, while others find that sun and salt water at the beach clears their skin. Everyone is different, and there are many things that may irritate the skin including wool beach blankets, cold winds on a ski vacation or very hot weather. Remember that a child with a lot of eczema covering most of their body may not be able to sweat as effectively or they may find that the sweat makes them itch. Dry heat and low humidity can cause problems for children with eczema, as do sudden changes in temperature and humidity. Emollients that are used in the hotter weather should be less greasy, which will make sufferers less hot and itchy. Water can irritate the skin. Yet, many children state that seawater actually helps their skin since saltwater may have a mild antiseptic action. However, put on their emollient before they swim and after they bathe, and remember sunscreen. When applying sun protection cream, first apply your child’s emollient and steroids, then 30 minutes later the sunscreen.

Posted by Dr. Jeffery Bienstock at National Eczema Association

Jul 5 / 9:55am

How to Control, or Prevent, Eczema Flare-ups on Your Child

by Michael Liss

Making changes in your child's day to day life is the easiest way to control mild to severe eczema. The following guidelines may help to reduce severity and prevent flare-ups:

1. Apply Triple Cream regularly(two to three times a day). Continuous moisturizing will lock in your skin's own moisture preventing dryness and cracking. The most effective time to apply Triple Cream is immediately following bath time.

2. Limit your exposure to sudden changes in temperature and humidity. This will help to prevent overheating and dry skin.

3. Avoid sweating or overheating, which oftentimes increases the need to itch and scratch the skin.

4. Reduce contact with potential skin irritants such as: perfumes, cosmetics, wool, detergents, household cleaners, etc. Additionally, refrain from using personal care products that contain alcohol.

5. Use a cold compress to help relieve itchy skin. Scratching will often lead to infections as bacteria can set in through the skin. Applying a cold compress will help to reduce inflammation and curb your desire to itch.

6. Cut your fingernails. Keeping your fingernails short will help prevent puncturing of the skin. You may also place cotton gloves on your child to help prevent scratching.

7. Take it easy. Stress plays a critical role in causing eczema to worsen and flare-up. Learning to reduce one's stress level can go a long way to keeping eczema under control.

8. Avoid synthetic fabrics, wool, and other rough materials that can irritate the skin. When possible dress in clothes that are loose fitting and made of cotton. Fabrics such as wool can irritate the skin increasing the likelihood of flare-ups.

9. Always wash new clothes before wearing. This will help to eliminate excess dyes and fabric finishers which can irritate the skin when washing your clothes. Double rinsing your clothes and using fragrance free or neutral pH detergent can help limit flare-ups.

Jun 30 / 11:17am

Signs and Symptoms of Eczema in Children

by Michael Liss

Depending on your child's age the signs and symptoms of eczema can vary. Infantile eczema, which appears from ages 2-6 months, children will experience itchy, dry, red skin with small bumps on their cheeks, forehead, or scalp. The rash can spread to the arms and legs, and red, crusted, or open lesions may appear. These symptoms usually occur before the age of five.

During infancy, oozing can occur with a crusting rash, mainly on the face and scalp. During childhood, the rash oftentimes becomse drier and tends to be red to brown-gray in color.

Atopic dermatitis usually begins between the ages of 5-7. Symptoms may include:

Red to brownish-gray colored patches
Itching that becomes worse at night
Small, raised bumps which may leak fluid and can crust over when scratched
Thickened, cracked or scaly skin.

Patches can occur anywhere but are most often seen on the hands and feet, behind the knees, and on the ankles, wrists, face, neck, upper chest, and arms.

via triple-cream.com

Jun 28 / 8:03am

What is Eczema?

by Michael Liss

Eczema refers to various inflamed skin conditions. Patches of skin can be red, dry and extremely itchy. It can also appear as fluid-filled bumps that ooze. Eczema commonly occurs in children and adults on the face, neck, and on the insides of elbows and knees.

A common cause of eczema is atopic dermatitis. Atopic describes a hereditary tendency to experience immediate allergic reaction to something in the environment. Typical causes include pollen, molds, animal dander and saliva, certain detergents or soaps, and contact with rough or coarse clothing. Stress and overheating can also cause flare-ups.

Eczema is fairly common with 10-20% of infants experiencing this condition. The National Institutes of Health estimate that 15 million people in America have some form of the condition. Eczema is not contagious and cannot be cured, though it does tend to decrease in severity as children get older. It can go into remission for months or years at a time.