October is National Eczema Awareness Month - Think AVEENO

Not saved for Breast Cancer Awareness only, October is National Eczema Awareness Month too. According to Dr. Kenneth Beer, a board-certified dermatologist and dermapathologist, a voluntary Assistant Professor at the University of Miami, and a consulting associate in the Department of Medicine at Duke University, eczema is an immune reaction that targets the skin. This chronic skin disorder is produced by inflammation that causes the skin to become itchy, red, and dry - even cracked and leathery. Eczema can be triggered by stress, heat, and sweat; sudden changes in temperature; extreme cold/dry climates; heredity; a nd airborne/food allergens or irritants. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. Left untreated, eczema can have an enormously negative impact on overall health, well-being, quality of life, and restful sleep.

I had eczema at one point in my life, and I hated it. According to the National Eczema Association, eczema is very common and affects more than 32 million people. As a result, most dermatologists see eczema patients frequently. Mine did.

Treating eczema for babies, children, and adults requires a combination of preventive and therapeutic efforts. Dr. Beer recommends hydrating cleansers and barrier creams with soothing ingredients, like colloidal oatmeal (found in AVEENO Eczema Therapy and AVEENO Baby Eczema Therapy products). He says to use them daily to maintain the integrity of the skin's barrier. Look for products with ceramides - essential lipids found naturally within the skin - that play a key role in enhancing and restoring the skin’s protective function.

When I had eczema, I tried all kinds of remedies - prescription and non-prescription - and those that worked the best included AVEENO products. That's why I'm proud to be an AVEENO Ambassador. AVEENO, a pioneer in the study of natural ingredients, has harnessed the naturally soothing power of the Active Naturals Colloidal Oatmeal to develop the AVEENO Eczema Therapy Collection. This eczema-soothing collection uses the best ingredients in nature to care for your eczema and help break the cycle of irritated skin.

Colloidal Oatmeal effectively relieves the itch associated with minor skin irritations like eczema. The AVEENO Eczema Therapy Collection has been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance for providing gentle, superior ingredients to soothe skin with eczema.

There are two collections, and I have used them both. The AVEENO Eczema Therapy and AVEENO Baby Eczema Therapy Collections are available at AVEENO.com and at national food, drug, and mass merchandisers.

AVEENO Eczema Therapy Bath Treatment was my all-time favorite. I still use it, and the eczema is long gone. It's an extremely soothing bath.

• Formulated with Active Naturals Colloidal Oatmeal, a long recognized ingredient to relieve itching and soothe and moisturize skin
• Disperses in your bathwater to treat itchy, dry, or irritated skin
• Unlike some sprays and creams, this soothing treatment also gently cleanses and moisturizes for soft, smooth, and healthy looking skin
• Steroid-Free, Fragrance-free
• Dermatologist recommended

AVEENO's Moisturing Cream takes over after you step out of your treatment bath.  With Active Naturals Colloidal Oatmeal, humectants, and ceramide, this fragrance-free moisturizer will keep your skin from itching.

You can also find corresponding products for use on your baby's irritated skin. Check out all of AVEENO's Eczema Therapy products at this link. Then go to your nearest drugstore to get rid of the itch. Remember, eczema is treatable. It won't plague you forever if you take good care of your skin.

Photos courtesy of AVEENO