Eczema can be a year-round torment for those affected by it, but winter causes particular misery. Here’s how to treat it:

Winter can be grim: coughs, cold, flu and the general sense of malaise brought on by dark nights, too much food and not enough exercise. And to add to the misery, as the temperature plunges and the heating goes on, normally reliable and trouble-free skin can start to itch. Welcome to the onset of winter eczema.

The skin condition, which is caused by an abnormal immune reaction that result in dry, red cracked patches of skin, is only made worse by itching. Your nails damage the skin barrier, which then ramps up inflammatory molecules that exacerbate the itch. What’s more, chronic scratching may make you more susceptible to infections, since it’s easier for bacteria to invade the cracked skin. The best way to ease the itch is to see your doctor for treatments, prescription or over-the counter, that address the underlying problem that causes the itch.

1. Why do some of us develop skin conditions? Filaggrin is a barrier protein found in skin, which we inherit. The word filaggrin comes from filament aggregating protein. It works like a protection layer for skin, without this protective layer skin becomes leaky. If you are missing the filaggrin protein you will notice lots of extra lines on the palms of your hands. Those of us who are missing filaggrin protein, about 10% of the population worldwide, are more likely to develop atopic skin conditions. If both parents are missing their filaggrin protein the chance of their child having an atopic skin condition increases.

2. Can you help to prevent a child from developing eczema? Applying an emollient to a child’s skin every day in the first year of their life can reduce their chance of developing eczema by up to 50%. An amazingly simple, but effective method of helping to prevent your child developing eczema. In Ireland 20% of children have an atopic skin condition. Start using a daily emollient on your child as early as possible in life to help prevent skin conditions. Check the emollient ingredients carefully to ensure it does not contain any possible skin irritants. Suvex Soothe is a natural intensive emollient cream, made from plant-sourced ingredients, which allow the skin to breathe while intensively moisturising the skin. “The soothing natural ingredients in Suvex Sooth helped clear my grandchildren eczema and reduce the number of skin outbreaks. I would recommend Suvex Soothe as a natural emollient cream for babies with dry irritated skin,” says Anne Winters, a retired public health nurse.

3. Can you “switch off” your atopic skin condition? As the old saying goes “prevention is better than cure”. Early intervention to treat an atopic skin condition could prevent many other allergic diseases developing later on, such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), food allergies, allergies rhinitis (hay fever) and asthma.

4. Are food and nut allergies linked to skin conditions? Check that your emollient cream does not contain any potential allergens. Oils or creams containing nut-based ingredients are not recommended for children as they may cause children to develop a subsequent nut allergy. This can happen if skin comes into contact with the nut as an ingredient in a cream, oil or lotion ingredient before a person ingests the nut as a food. So the body may then reject the nut as a food causing an allergic reaction.

Eczema is a chronic skin problem, so it can come and go. It requires ongoing management by you and your doctor. If the eczema is not improving, talk to your doctor about your concerns.

Suvex Soothe is exclusive to Health Stores and Pharmacies nationwide.