Controlling Eczema During Pregnancy and Breast Feeding

Controlling Eczema during pregnancy is often a worry for expectant mothers. Due to hormonal changes in the body eczema flare ups can often occur while pregnant and there will regularly be concern about how to treat and control break outs.

The health and well-being of your developing baby is of course the number one concern for all expecting mothers and so the use of drugs to control skin problems and the use of drugs in general while pregnant needs to be considered with caution.

If you have taken treatment for your skin problems before being pregnant and if you have used medication to control eczema you must consult your dermatologist and obstetrician before continuing to use these drugs. Some medications used in the control of skin problems can cause developmental defects in developing fetuses. Your dermatologist can help you to decide the risks and analyse the benefits of using your prescribed medication while pregnant.

Remedies that are natural in nature can be used in pregnancy but only after consultation again with your dermatologist and obstetrician. Treatments that have been advertised as natural or herbal sometimes have proved to be harmful to both the mother and baby during pregnancy. Please only ever use a treatment or remedy after full consultation about it with your health care professional.

While pregnant you should try to take extra care of your skin if you suffer from eczema. Good skin care can help cut out flare ups so avoiding the need to use drugs in treatment. Follow these tips to help look after your skin.

* Avoid long showers and baths. Taking longer showers and baths can dry out your skin.

* Use warm water to bathe not hot water. Hot water again dries the skin by using warm water you will avoid dying the skin out and prevent flare ups.

* Use a cleanser. Cleaning the skin with a gentle cleanser will help to wash dirt and germs away from your skin.

* Use a good moisturizer. Keeping your skin moisturized is essential in avoiding dry cracked skin.

You know your own body better than anyone else. Avoid things that trigger flare ups. These may be things such as pets, fragrances, certain foods, avoid these to avoid flare ups.

All of the above points can equally be raised when nursing your new baby and breast-feeding. It is essential to try to avoid unnecessary use of drugs when nursing. Drugs and other substances that enter your body can end up in your breast milk and hence be transferred to your baby.