National Eczema Week

This week is National Eczema Week and it’s always highlighted in my calendar as I’m a Patron of the National Eczema Society. The commonest kind of eczema is called Atopic and refers to a family tendency to develop eczema. It’s linked to other ‘atopic’ or allergic conditions, including hayfever and asthma. Atopic eczema is staggeringly common in the UK – in fact it’s now the commonest childhood disorder affecting up to 15% of the population. I had atopic eczema as a child and, although like many, I mostly outgrew it as I got older, it has left me with very sensitive skin. This is common for those who had childhood eczema and even now I see eczema flare-ups if I’m under stress or stop taking proper care of my skin…

When Kim and I co-founded Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare, making a range suitable for sensitive and eczema-prone skin was a priority. When you’ve been through the trauma of a painful and disfiguring skin condition it certainly makes you much more aware and cautious of what you apply. For me, avoiding common triggers such as synthetic sunscreens (I steer clear of benzophenones and cinnamates on the label list) and certain detergents is a really important rule. It took many years for us to formulate our original Orange Flower Botanical Body Wash, made without the common detergents Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulphates and Olefin Sulfonates (mostly found in American products). Instead, we spent a long time experimenting with various combinations of materials derived from corn and coconut for their gentle foaming properties, together with a natural lathering extract, soap bark, to create a mass of non-irritating, skin softening bubbles. Gentle enough for newborn babies, it has been so encouraging to hear the success stories over the years from all those who have finally been able to enjoy a foamy bath or shower without their skin suffering the consequences.

One surprising and often hidden source of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (often referred to as SLS), is aqueous cream. This is especially disturbing as aqueous cream is frequently recommended as a basic moisturiser for those with eczema. In fact, SLS is a potential skin irritant and should not be used by anyone with sensitive, eczema-prone skin. According to Professor Michael Cork, who leads one of the country’s largest eczema and dermatology clinics in Sheffield, it can significantly damage the skin’s lipidic barrier, not only making eczema worse but also potentially hastening what’s known in medical parlance as the ‘atopic march’, which sees eczema leading to other allergies and even asthma. I was heartened to read a comment on our Facebook fansite recently from a customer who had read this research in my book, Skin Secrets. She stopped using aqueous cream on her little one’s eczema and saw an instant and lasting improvement. Do pass this really helpful tip on to any you know who are still using aqueous cream on themselves or children.

You’ll find many more helpful ideas and guidance in our Eczema Factsheet, which is also full of impartial information on dietary supplements and useful resources for bedding and clothing. I have been especially impressed with the silver-fibre clothes and nightwear that can significantly reduce the ‘itch-scratch-itch’ cycle that can give so many sleepless nights. You can help stop children and babies scratching in their sleep by dressing them in Scratchtite nightclothes, made with superfine Cleancool fabric containing tiny healing silver particles and built-in scratch mitts, available from ‘Little-protechtor’ or there is an adult version of soothing clothing to be found at www.eczemaclothing.com. Further general advice and up-to-date medical findings are also available from the National Eczema Society’s own website www.eczema.org. Although there is as yet no cure for eczema, there are many steps we can take to help control the condition and dramatically improve the way our skin looks and feels. We’d love to hear what has worked for you if you’d like to share your experiences that may help others too.