•  Dry, red, and scaly

•  Blistered and swollen

•  Sometimes thick, discolored, or oozing and crusting

•  Don’t scratch! This makes eczema worse. Your skin can get infected. Keep your fingernails cut short.

•  Don’t take baths too often. Add bath oil to the water. Sponge bathe in between tub baths. Take quick showers.

•  Use warm (not hot) water when you take a bath or shower.

•  Use a mild soap or no soap at all on the areas of eczema.

•  Don’t use wool clothes and blankets.

•  Use a light, nongreasy and unscented lotion on your skin after you wash. Don’t use lotions that have alcohol. They can dry the skin.

•  Try to keep from sweating. For example, don’t wear too many clothes for the weather.

•  Wear rubber gloves when you do housework. Put talcum powder or cornstarch inside the gloves, or use latex gloves lined with cotton.

•  Avoid foods, chemicals, cosmetics, and other things that make your eczema worse.

•  You have signs of an infection: Fever; and/or large amount of weeping or crusting skin areas.

•  Your skin is red, you can’t stop scratching, and this keeps you from sleeping.

•  You get no relief from self-care.