Itching and Scratching

If you can stop yourself from scratching, you are 70 % towards controlling eczema!

Many eczema sufferers will do almost anything to clear their eczema. The one thing they can't do is, stopping themselves from scratching. It is really simple! If you stop scratching, you will clear your skin rapidly.

There are many ways to reduce your histamine level. This will take time for your body to get familiar with.

Here's a list of things you can do to reduce feeling itchy:

• Drink only water during the day (5-6 pints per day).
• Make sure you treat your skin everyday.
• Keep yourself busy if you feel itchy, sit down when the itch has gone.
• Think to yourself, if I don't scratch my eczema will clear.
• Cut out Coffee, Tea, Coke. These drinks have a very high histamine affect on your body.
• Take antihistamines in the morning.
• Have a luke warm bath in Oilatum Bath Formula. You might want to consider getting a Crystal Bath Ball Dechlorinator, for eliminating chlorine from your bath. Chlorine will always irritate dry skin conditions.
• Keep your bedroom/house clean, and buy a mattress protector or even better, buy a latex/foam memory hypoallergenic mattress. This would secure protection against dust mites.
• Don't get upset or frustrated, this will only make you vulnerable to scratch. Calm down, and take your mind off the situation. You can watch a movie, talk to a friend, read a book.
• Go to bed early, and get at least eight hours sleep every night. Most eczema sufferers are deprived of sleep. Sleeping will allow your body to repair itself. When you feel tired, you are more liable to scratch.
• Put a cold bottle of water against the area of skin that feels itchy(don't do this on the face).
• Clinch your fist tightly when you feel itchy. Loosen your fist when the itchiness calms down and when it comes back, clinch your fist tightly again and vice versa.
• Wear cotton sleeves that cover your arms and hands.
• Read Sue Armstrong's book "The Eczema Solution". This is the most important book for eczema sufferers. A complete step by step guide on how to control the itch.