Glycerin relieves eczema symptoms

Glycerin relieves eczema symptoms

Many people with eczema find that glycerin can be helpful in treating symptoms. Glycerin is an emollient, an ingredient that helps balance or maintain moisture levels. It is usually extracted from oils or created as a byproduct of soap. These oils can be vegetable, animal or petroleum.

Glycerin is actually part of the skin's natural lipid structure, so it can be very useful in treating eczema. As a moisturizing ingredient, glycerin helps the skin attract and regain its own natural moisture, leaving it feeling soft. Instead of sitting on the skin, glycerin softens the skin and allows it to breathe. While some people believe that this softening is the result of glycerin drawing moisture to the skin, some researchers believe that glycerin has some other properties that are helpful for the skin.

One of the most important properties of glycerin is that it is “hygroscopic,” meaning it absorbs water from the air. If you were to expose a bottle of pure glycerin to the air in your kitchen, it would draw moisture from the air and eventually become 80 percent glycerin and 20 percent water.

Glycerin has a long history of safe use in personal care products. It is on the Food and Drug Administration's list of ingredients generally considered safe.

The eczema is often dry and itchy Applying moisturizers (such as glycerin) to keep skin moist is part of an effective treatment plan. Frequent moisturizer locks in the skin's own moisture to prevent dryness and cracking. One of the best ways to moisturize is to apply glycerin lotion after bathing. When bathing, it is important to avoid skin irritation with harsh soaps or body sponges. In many cases, adding pure oils to the bath is also helpful.

People with eczema should avoid personal care products that contain alcohol. All laundry should be washed in a hypoallergenic detergent and rinsed twice to ensure all detergents are removed from clothing, linens and linens. It can also be helpful to wash new clothes before wearing them to remove excess dyes and fabric finishers that can irritate the skin. Eczema sufferers should wear clothing that is 100 percent cotton and sleep on bedding that is 100 percent cotton. Synthetic fibers contain substances that can worsen eczema symptoms.

Because no two people are the same, and even with pure and natural ingredients, some people may develop an allergic reaction that is unique to them. As with any product, discontinue use if you experience any discomfort or unpleasant side effects that may cause this product to be incompatible with your body's chemistry.

Inspired by Judy Wellsworth