3 At-home eczema treatments to get you by on a weekend

Call an Atlanta-based dermatologist for eczema treatment options.

Why do so many medical conditions flare up on a Friday evening just as the doctor's office is closing? If you find yourself looking for an at-home eczema treatment for the weekend, look no further. Here are three ways to soothe the itchy, dry skin associated with eczema.

1. Take a brief bath

Although soaking in a warm bath is soothing, this actually dries out the skin even further. To keep the itchiness to a minimum, limit baths to five minutes. Then, while the skin is still moist, apply a fragrance-free, dye-free lotion. Look for formulas made with a beeswax or petroleum jelly base to seal moisture into your skin.

2. Try hydrating oils

During the day, hydrate your skin with pure, plant-based oils. These won't irritate the skin since they don't contain any artificial ingredients, perfumes or skin-drying alcohols. Try warming coconut oil until it's creamy, then use it as a lotion-based eczema treatment. Coconut has natural antibacterial properties to keep skin infections to a minimum while the oils moisten sore, cracked skin.

3. Use a humidifier

Pajamas, bed sheets and comforters all wick moisture from our skin, making bouts of eczema even more inflamed. Keep your skin hydrated by installing a humidifier in your bedroom. Some furnace systems have a humidifier attachment to add moisture to the entire home. If possible, increase the humidity setting to 50 percent humidity.

When Monday morning rolls around, give an Atlanta-based dermatologist a call. Severe cases of eczema require prescription corticosteroid creams to reduce inflammation, and oral antihistamines to soothe allergy-based conditions.