Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that affects roughly 10-20% of the population. It’s itchy, uncomfortable, and can have an undeniable effect on one’s quality of life. Unfortunately, there’s not a direct known cause of eczema but it’s believed to be triggered by a variety of factors.
While many people turn to creams and balms to soothe symptoms, it’s important to avoid anything that contains rubbing alcohol. Let’s take a closer look at the effect of alcohol on eczema-prone skin and discover some safer alternatives for treating your itchy skin.
Please keep in mind that although what we discuss in this post can relieve eczema, we are in no way medical professionals. If you’re experiencing severe eczema symptoms like an infection, it is best to seek medical advice immediately.
Eczema and Alcohol Allergy
Instead of improving your skin condition, alcohol can actually make your rash worse. This is because alcohol is extremely drying - in fact, it can be even more drying than soap! Rather than helping to heal the skin or kill bacteria, alcohol on eczema can cause a painful burning or stinging sensation.
In addition, alcohol-based hand sanitizers can further disrupt the skin barrier by altering the natural pH of the skin. This makes it easier for allergens and bacteria to penetrate the skin, potentially leading to a flare-up.
Remember that those living with eczema already have extra sensitive skin thanks to a damaged skin barrier. This makes the skin even more vulnerable to chemicals and harsh ingredients, heightening the importance for natural products.
Eczema and Alcohol Allergy
Knowing what triggers your eczema is an important step in learning to manage symptoms. There are several common culprits, many of them being typical household products that are generally harmless. These include airborne allergens, fabric and chemical irritants, and even food allergies.
Another possible allergen is alcohol. This includes drinking alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, a secondary alcohol used in clinical environments as a preservative and antiseptic. To avoid aggravating your skin, it’s important to be careful of your drinking habits and avoid using isopropyl alcohol has a treatment.
Remember that triggers vary from person to person, making it extremely important to understand your body.
Natural Eczema Treatments
To reduce the risk of burning or stinging, the best eczema skincare products are those that contain natural, non-GMO ingredients with names that you can actually pronounce. That’s why we love this Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream. Containing just six simple ingredients, including manuka honey, it’s perfect for moisturizing skin anywhere on the body - even delicate areas like the lips and eyelids. With no added fillers, fragrances, or preservatives, your sensitive skin will love this oil-based balm.
This Grass-Fed Tallow Balm is a great addition to your paleo skincare routine. Moisturizing and nourishing, it provides natural itch relief for those eczema, allergies, or sensitive skin. Tallow balm is actually one of the purest forms of skincare in the world so you can rest assured that your sensitive skin will love it.
Finally, this Baby Adult Soother helps heal irritated skin and moisturize dry skin. Made with just three Chinese herbs in a base of olive oil and beeswax, it’s perfect for adults and children alike. Use it to soothe sensitive or irritated skin from eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and rashes.
References:
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/ss/slideshow-top-eczema-triggers
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Bio: Laura is a contributor and content developer for The Eczema Company. She is in no way a medical professional. Her comments, suggestions, and reflections are not intended to replace any medical advice. Always seek the help of a medical professional before undertaking any diet or lifestyle changes
