Menopausal Eczema: Everything You Need to Know

A woman experiencing menopause could develop a skin condition known as menopausal eczema. It is something that is common and also treatable.

Menopause is a time when women experience a decrease in their reproductive hormones. This results in many types of physical changes. Skin disorders are sometimes part of menopause. Some women are more likely to experience some type of problem with their skin such as menopausal eczema.

Eczema

Menopausal eczema is a skin condition where a woman’s skin becomes broken, itchy and rough. It is something many women experience during menopause. It is common for them to develop a mild case. This is caused by the changes in estrogen levels. When this combines with a woman’s body experiencing a change in its ratio of hormones, their skin is vulnerable to irritation, redness and bumps. It is more sensitive to things that can irritate it such as certain dyes, perfumes, fabrics and more.

Dealing with Menopausal Eczema

There are things a woman can do during menopause to keep their skin looking smooth and fresh. It may require making changes in their lifestyle and diet. Dealing with this skin condition may also require creating a new skincare routine.

Diet Changes

Some foods encourage the production of the skin’s natural oil barrier. This will help keep a woman’s skin hydrated. One thing that is very good with preventing itchiness, dryness and promoting body oil is essential fatty acids. This requires the consumption of foods high in omega-3s. These are found in foods such as walnuts, salmon, safflower oil, fortified eggs, sardines, algae oils, flax and more.

Avoid Hot Water

This is something that should be avoided. Most women look forward to having a hot shower or bath. Yes, they can be very relaxing. Unfortunately, hot baths and showers are not good for women with dry skin. Hot water is known to be harsh on a person’s skin. It can promote drying and itchiness. Hot water will strip the skin of its protective and natural oils. Women need to consider taking shorter baths and showers and only use warm water if possible.

Moisturize Your Skin Regularly

This is an excellent way for a woman to fight the dryness of menopausal eczema. Moisturizing is something that should be done every day. It’s important to use a product with good ingredients such as natural enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, essential fatty acids and more. A moisturizer is something that needs to be applied after washing as well as before going to bed. It’s important to know that dry skin most often occurs at night.

Use Gentle Soap

Women can have dry skin or experience a bad reaction when they use soaps made with toxins and harsh chemicals. It is important to choose a soap that is effective for nourishing and moisturizing sensitive skin. The soap used should not exacerbate skin problems.

Use Gentle Cleaning Products

It is also important to use cleaning products that are designed to be gentle on a person’s skin. Skin contact with powerful cleaning agents, as well as hot water, should be minimized. It is essential to apply moisturizers regularly after using cleaning products.

No Scratching

As with any skin condition, the urge to scratch will always be a real temptation. A woman should always avoid scratching the surface of her skin. When this is done, it could tear or damage the tissue. This is especially true if a woman has sensitive skin. It is possible to have itchy skin during the night. Wearing gloves during sleep could help to prevent getting a scar from scratching.

Take Oatmeal Baths

An effective way to treat many types of skin conditions is with an oatmeal bath. This is done by crushing oats into a fine powder. This is a good way to have a bath that is chemical free and good for the skin. It will help ease itchiness. Women claim it is moisturizing, inflammation-relieving as well as soothing.

Clothing

The clothing a woman wears will have a significant impact on her irritated skin. It’s possible for clothing to soothe sensitive skin or make it much worse. Synthetic fibers and wool can especially aggravate skin conditions. Wearing smooth, cotton, soft and loose-fitting clothing helps. Fabrics that are breathable and soft will be easy on a woman’s skin.

Menopause is something all women will have to face. There are many health concerns associated with it. When a woman takes proper care of her skin, it could prevent some symptoms before they begin to appear. A woman should speak with her physician before trying to treat eczema on her own. If a woman develops a fever with the rash, or it spreads to other parts of her body, she should see a physician immediately.