How to exercise safely with eczema?

Eczema is the name for a group of conditions that cause the skin to become red, itchy and inflamed.
Eczema is not contagious. You can’t get infected by touching a person who is suffering from eczema. While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, researchers do know that people who develop eczema do so because of a combination of genes and environmental triggers. When an irritant or an allergen “switches on” the immune system, skin cells don’t behave as they should be causing an eczema flare-up.
Eczema is usually itchy. For many people, the itch is usually only mild, or moderate. But in some cases it can become much worse and you might develop extremely inflamed skin. Sometimes the itch gets so bad that people scratch it until it bleeds, which can make your eczema worse. This is called the “itch-scratch cycle.”

What to look for:

• Dry, sensitive skin
• Red, inflamed skin
• Very bad itching
• Dark colored patches of skin
• Rough, leathery or scaly patches of skin
• Oozing or crusting
• Areas of swelling

You might have all of these symptoms of eczema or only just a few. You might have some flare ups or your symptoms could go away entirely. But the only way to know if you have eczema for sure is to visit your doctor so he or she can look at your skin and ask you about your symptoms.

Tips for exercising with eczema

• Drinking adequate water before, during, and after exercise helps to replace the water lost when sweating while exercising. Drinking good amount of water also helps to keep the skin as well as the body hydrates which helps the skin not to become dry which can start an itch-scratch cycle.
• Choosing clothes wisely while we exercise is very important. Synthetic clothes cause skin irritation as they do not absorb sweat. Loose fitting cotton clothes are the best when you exercise whilst you are suffering from eczema. Look for light, breathable fabrics that don’t rub or scratch the skin during exercise.
• Take regular breaks during exercise. It will help your body to rest, rehydrate and cool down if you are sensing the start of a flare with your eczema. Being practical about the disease condition is also very important.
• Cold compressions make an excellent aid for cooling the skin and calming the itch in eczema. Don’t wait until the escalation of a flare to use them.
• Keep a soft towel with you while exercising to wipe off sweat during exercise and exercise in indoor facilities that are well ventilated.
• Moisturize before and after exercise
• Do not take hot showers or hot baths. Start with a lukewarm shower and gradually make it cooler over a few minutes. This will help to retain the natural body oil.
• Most gyms, health clubs or fitness centers supply with their own shower gels and products but use your own products instead. It’s not worth risking a reaction for the sake of convenience. Use what has been recommended by your doctor.