Eczema Cream Guide: Which Lotion or Cream to Use When?
I’ve tried so many lotions at this point in an effort to manage my severe eczema. Through my explorations (and spending), I’ve figured out which eczema products to use for which types of eczema. Consider this my eczema cream guide for various eczema scenarios.
And I’ve had all of the types of eczema, believe me.
I wrote the following eczema cream guide on “what to do when” for your eczema. I hope this guide helps you – it’s the result of much experimentation on my end!
#1 If your skin looks like this (NOTE: this one may be a bit graphic for some)
I’m so sorry. This is the worst.
The best fix I’ve found for this is cold wet wraps, baths, and time, and really, really do everything you can to distract your hands to avoid itching (I use my acupressure mat for this, and I also try to get into a “flow” state at work as much as possible in this scenario. I frankly feel grateful for my workday when my skin is this upset – it’s hard to itch when you’re furiously typing away during a busy workday).
In terms of the eczema cream guide, try to pat your cream onto your skin rather than rub it in, as rubbing can trigger itching. Consider trying an anti-itch lotion (people love this one; I’m partial to this Ayurvedic option), and definitely consider cold showers (even though hot showers feel so, so good when skin looks like this). Also consider storing your lotion in the fridge. In sum, try to keep your skin cool, and moisturized.
#2 If your skin looks like this (sorry for the creepy photos – I’m trying to remain anonymous!)
Congratulations! This is my favorite type of eczema! For me at least, it’s not too itchy, and it’s not too dry or actively cracking. I think of this as my “healing” phase, as it’s what my skin looks like after I’ve successfully done a round of topical steroids. According to my eczema cream guide, when my skin looks like this, I exfoliate any very loose skin flakes gently (if you don’t do this gently, they come back with a vengeance) with an ultra soft towel or take a super quick (ideally ice cold) shower and gently, with a soft washcloth or my hand, exfoliate the flakes off.
Then I moisturize like crazy and try not to itch or pick at any of the remaining skin “chunks” (ew). I also generally find it’s a good idea in this phase to use steroid ointment or protopic/tacrolimus to see if my skin will (finally) actually heal.
It’s definitely awkward to be in public in this phase. But it’s also one of the more comfortable parts of the eczema flare cycle, so I’ll take it.
#3 When your skin looks like this (super tight and otherwise kind of a combo of #1 and #2):
It honestly pains me to just look at that photo. Ouch. In this case, pat your lotion on, don’t rub it in. Use a thick layer of Vanicream ointment on any super tight patches (like the above), then apply lotion. All in all, apply lotion extremely often here (I literally apply once every half hour sometimes when my skin is like this or else it cracks and I simply can’t function). Applying lotion frequently helps you avoid scratching or picking at the dry patches, but really try to pat it on rather than rub it in. Rubbing, in my experience, leads to itching. Generally I can get away with using CeraVe on most parts of my body when my skin looks like this. The most sensitive patches may require special treatment still, though.
#4 If your skin looks like any of the above and you know you will be sweating soon…
… and sweating is one of your triggers, lather your biggest patches in VaniCream ointment. And I mean a ton of it. Like an eighth of an inch of ointment atop your skin.
Yes, this will get on your clothes and likely in your hair and on your yoga mat, but it is so worth it to be able to move more freely. Be sure to shower immediately after working out. I’ve found if I use this method, work out and sweat, then immediately take a quick, cold shower (more on this here). My skin is actually quite happy after this process, even if it went into the workout relatively unhappy (though I’m not sure that any amount of Vanicream can help skin in the state of photo #1, above).
Also note: I had to invest in home gym equipment for this to work at all (but for a time I just did HIIT workouts, which worked just as well in enabling me to sweat, from home). If I have any, and I mean any time between when I finish sweating and when I get in the shower, I’m doomed to scratch. I have to literally be huffing and puffing, still, when in the shower. Ideally my workout needs to involve my hands so I cannot scratch or I’ll topple over.
What’s this method called?
I’m not sure why this method works. I think I came up with it(?), but I’m happy to be pointed to some “method” related to this that I’m unaware of. Perhaps the sweat moisturizes the skin in its little Vanicream cocoon? Who knows. This is of course not a perfect method given ointment is messy, but it does work (for me at least).
Typically when my skin looks like #1, though, I avoid exercising, going outside, and sweating. I more or less disengage from society and try to be stress-free (easier said than done) until it heals a bit. I just have to ride it out and try to get a good night’s sleep (lol – easier said than done when skin looks like that, right? Cannabis products have helped in the past for this part), and wet wraps. I should note, often, but not always, my skin looks like this when I’ve been around a known trigger, like a cat (I’m very allergic to cats). It’s not foolproof though, sometimes I just wake up with my skin looking like this for no apparent reason.
I hope this is helpful for you!
Again – I’m not a doctor. None of this is medical advice.
