When you are suffering from nagging itching and discomfort as a result of an extensive eczema outbreak, you may not know where to turn or what to do to treat and heal your ailing skin. And when you are on a tight budget, you likely cannot afford repeated visits to the doctor and expensive prescription steroid creams of other prescription remedies. The stress of not having the money to treat your eczema can, unfortunately, make your outbreak even worse as stress is a known contributing cause of eczema. So, rather than stress yourself out about your lack of funding for treatment, learn some key ways that you can deal with eczema while on a tight budget. 

Watch What You Wear

When you have an eczema flare, the clothing you wear can affect the itching and discomfort that you feel, and in some cases can even make your rash worse rather than better. To help avoid this complication, avoid wearing tight fitting clothing. Tighter clothing causes more friction with the skin and has a tendency to trap any moisture (sweat) against the body not allowing your skin to dry itself naturally. 

This trapped moisture can worsen and spread your eczema rash. Additionally rough clothing or any scratchy fabrics will only cause further irritation. So, be sure to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, preferably made of breathable fabrics like cotton. This will help to prevent your clothing from worsening your condition. 

Over-The-Counter Skin Creams

While you may not be able to afford a lot of treatments for your eczema, to aid in your recovery you will need to apply some type of cream or lotion topically. Over-the-counter remedies can be inexpensive and effective if you know which to choose. 

First, look for a hydrocortisone cream to treat the rash itself. These creams are a type of steroid cream readily available without a prescription and are quite affordable. On top of that, you will need a powerful moisturizer.

You can opt for a calamine lotion, or just a standard moisturizing lotion. If you choose a standard lotion, be sure to choose one that is free of artificial fragrances, parabens, and phthalates as these can actually cause further skin irritation and allergic reactions. 

Stay Out Of Hot Water

Especially in the winter months, nothing feels better than a nice, hot shower. However, hot water can actually cause you more trouble than good when you have an eczema flare. 

Instead take warm showers. Cleanse the rash, but use a soap designed especially for sensitive skin. Scented body washes or exfoliating body scrubs should be avoided until your skin has cleared up and they can no longer cause irritation. 

Do not soak in a bath rather than take a shower. Prolonged immersion in water can cause your itching and discomfort to increase, and will further dry out your skin. 

As you can see, there are ways to deal with eczema while on a budget. All you need to do is follow these steps and you will be feeling better and less itchy before you know it. Talk to a doctor for more information and tips on eczema treatment.