All of us have dealt with dry, flaky skin at some point in our lives, and sometimes that dry, flaky skin starts to crack and become irritated. How do you know when your dry skin is more than just dry skin?

Eczema is a common skin condition but can show up in a wide range of symptoms. There are many types of eczema, and each one has its own symptoms, but the most common symptoms are characterized by dry, itchy, scaly skin. It’s a challenging skin condition usually recurrent and caused by specific triggers. Eczema is a more serious skin condition that requires more care in taking care of your skin and special treatment for flare-ups when they occur.

Signs You Have Eczema

The common signs of eczema can easily be confused with dry skin. Knowing what you know now about eczema, it’s pretty important that you know how to spot the signs to make sure you are caring for your skin correctly! Here 5 signs your skin condition may be eczema.

1. If you develop a rash accompanied by intense itchy or burning sensations on your skin. These symptoms can appear before the rash even starts to appear. 
2. A classic sign of eczema is if a rash breaks out after using a product, usually one with perfumes or irritants. This one is typically a symptom of the contact dermatitis type of eczema.
3. If you experience inflamed swollen patches of skin.
4. Some people with eczema develop small red raised bumps or blisters. These can be incredibly painful, and if you scratch these bumps, they may ooze or crust over and be more susceptible to infection. 
5. If you have thick, leathery, or scaly skin. Be careful. This can also be confused with psoriasis. Usually, there are a few ways to tell if it is actually psoriasis. Psoriasis is classically less itchy and usually favors more skin around the elbows and knees.  

Eczema is one of those unique conditions that often look different for each person, and the things that cause it may differ from case to case.

How to Care for Eczema

There isn’t a cure for eczema, but there are ways to treat it and ease the discomfort when flare-ups occur. The best defense against eczema is eating a healthy and well-balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables. You should also use good moisturizer at least daily for your entire body and often in spots where you experience rough patches. Our Jojoba & Apricot Body Emollient Oil can boost your skin’s moisture and help create a protective barrier.

Sometimes it’s a bit of a pain trying to figure out if your skin condition is more than dry skin. Some conditions can mimic each other, making it even harder to tell! Identifying the signs of asthma is crucial to the care of your skin. That and developing a daily skincare routine that cares for your entire body to protect and prevent flare-ups is key to soft, radiant skin.