A lot of advice for people with atopic dermatitis focuses on treating and managing flare-ups. This advice is certainly important, but wouldn't it be nice if you could simply have fewer flare-ups? While there are no ways to completely eliminate the possibility of a flare-up, there are some strategies to help reduce your risk. Take a look.
Keep a diary, and identify your triggers.
Everyone has different atopic dermatitis triggers. Some people are really sensitive to certain scents and additives in laundry detergent and body washes. Other people are reactive to outdoor allergens, such as pollen and mold. The best way to identify your triggers is to keep a diary. Write down what you do, where you go, and what products you use day after day. This can be a lot of work, but once you have the diary and log a few flare-ups, you'll start to notice a pattern. Maybe you spent a lot of time outside under a certain tree each time you had a flare-up, or maybe you used a certain body wash before each flare-up. Once you know what triggers your atopic dermatitis, you can avoid those things.
Take probiotic supplements.
Probiotics are helpful bacteria that live in your digestive tract. Many people do not have enough probiotics in their system. Supplementing with probiotics can help boost your immunity, which can in turn help reduce your risk of a flare-up. (Atopic dermatitis is related to your immune system; it is basically an over-reaction to substances your immune system should not react to, similar to allergies.)
You can find probiotic supplements in most health food stores. Yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut are also good, natural sources.
Take cooler showers.
When you take a warm shower, the heat opens up your pores. This makes you more sensitive to anything you encounter that might trigger an atopic dermatitis reaction. If you get used to taking cooler showers, you will likely notice fewer flare-ups. The water does not have to be cold, just slightly warm or lukewarm. Make sure you also moisturize with a gentle lotion after your shower, as this will fill your pores with healthy oils and keep the substances you react to from coming into such close contact.
Atopic dermatitis can be tough to manage, but with the tips above, you should have fewer flare-ups in the long run. Talk to your doctor for more atopic dermatitis information.