Prevention of Dermatitis

You cannot always prevent the tendency to dermatitis, but you can absolutely prevent most flares. Prevention is a daily routine, not a one-time fix.

The daily barrier routine

• Moisturise every day, flares or not - the barrier you maintain is the flare you never have
• Short lukewarm baths, mild fragrance-free cleansers or soap-free washes, pat dry, moisturise within 3 minutes
• Cotton against the skin; wool and synthetics over it, never on it

The trigger discipline

• Know your triggers and build habits around them: gloves for dish-washing and detergents (cotton liners inside rubber gloves), nickel-free jewellery, fragrance-free products
• Patch-test new cosmetics on the inner forearm for 2 days before regular use
• Manage sweat: quick rinse after exercise, dry the folds, breathable clothing
• Winter: heavier moisturisers, humidify very dry rooms, avoid sitting too close to heaters

The life factors

• Stress is a genuine trigger - sleep, exercise, and whatever unwinds you are eczema prevention too
• Keep nails short - insurance for the moments willpower fails
• For stasis tendency: leg elevation, compression stockings as advised, walking for the calf pump

For the atopic child

• Daily moisturiser from early on reduces flare frequency
• Breastfeeding and avoiding smoking around the child support the general terrain
• Do not restrict foods without a doctor's diagnosis of allergy

One-line summary

Prevent dermatitis flares with the boring daily trio - moisturise without fail, bathe short and lukewarm, dress soft - plus personal trigger habits (gloves, nickel-free, fragrance-free), stress care and short nails.