The itch-scratch cycle is all too familiar to those suffering from eczema and other skin conditions. An intense prickling sensation creeps over the skin accompanied by the overwhelming urge to scratch. Scratching the skin brings momentary blissful relief, but unfortunately, this is short lived, as the sufferer is left with broken, bleeding skin, which can take a long time to heal. To obtain long-term relief from eczema, the patient must find ways to break this damaging cycle of behaviour.
Scratching Behaviour Patterns
The first step in breaking the itch-scratch cycle is for a patient to become more aware of when they are scratching, as scratching can often be a subconscious action and many people do not even realize that they are doing it. The book "The Eczema Solution" by Sue Armstrong Brown suggests that sufferers keep a small, handheld tally counter or calculator with them at all times. Every time they become aware that they are scratching, they can click the tally counter or add to the total on the calculator. Thus, over the course of a day, they will become more aware of not only how often they are scratching, but also when.
The patient may find that there are certain triggers that precede a scratching session. They may scratch when they are sitting watching TV or when they are getting dressed in the morning. If they are more aware of when they are likely to scratch, they can find alternative ways to keep their hands busy, such as playing on a handheld game console or squeezing a stress ball.
Practical Alternatives to Scratching
Many eczema sufferers find that taking antihistamine medication helps them to control the itching. These can be particularly helpful at night, as certain antihistamines can cause drowsiness, helping the sufferer to sleep.
Some people have found that hot or cold compresses placed on the affected area can soothe the itching. There are heat pads available that can be put in the microwave for a few minutes and placed on the area. Alternatively, there are ice packs that can be placed in the freezer for a few hours and have a cloth cover so that they can be put safely on the affected skin area.
Emolients can help, especially the "anti-itch" creams available over the counter from pharmacies. Alernatively, if the itch is really strong and the urge to scatch is overwhelming, some have used items such as a blunt rubber comb and rubbed it very gently over the affected area to relieve the worst of the itching without breaking the skin. This can be effective if the comb is sterilised after each use.
By being aware of scratching patterns and finding a practical alternative to scratching, patients can go a long way in helping to relieve their eczema symptoms.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice .
Sources
The Eczema Solution by Sue Armstrong Brown
Addictedskin.com "Itching Magangement"
Louise Jones - I have always enjoyed writing as a hobby, but started writing reviews online in February 2010 for Dooyoo, and later Ciao. In the beginning ...
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