Avoid hot showers when you have eczema. Your daily showers should be warm and short. Use a body wash instead of soap and avoid rubbing your skin too hard. All you need to do to dry the skin is gently pat it with a cotton towel. When you are looking for solutions to soothe the dryness and itchiness of eczema, choose moisturizers that are in the form of creams or ointments. Both of these are better than using a lotion. You may even use petroleum jelly for its skin-softening properties. Make sure that whatever you use has no perfumes or alcohol in it. Apply moisturizer twice each day at least. Understand what makes your eczema act up. It could be that there is a certain type of soap that gets you every time, for example. In most cases, you do not want to use anything that has a scent attached to it. That means it may be necessary to avoid perfume, some body lotions and even certain types of make-up. When buying a detergent, look for something that is not scented. If you are having trouble finding one that works for you, look for products labeled "free and clear" and see if they work. In addition, it may be best not to use a fabric softener at all. This product can cause an issue for people with eczema, so it is usually not worth the risk. Try to be aware of anything that triggers your eczema. Flare ups of eczema can be particularly unpleasant. It is important to know what makes your eczema worse. Do scented soaps or lotions aggravate your skin? Make note of anything that causes your eczema to flare up, and make a point to avoid it. Learn what triggers your eczema. Some people get flare up from dust mites, cosmetics, and certain foods. Even things like grass, soaps, and perfumes can cause flare-ups. Some items can trigger symptoms in almost all eczema sufferers like fragrances and cleaning products. When you learn what items make your symptoms worse, try to stay away from them. If you suffer from eczema, you have to make sure to control your home's temperature. Temperatures that are too extreme can do a number on your skin and will make symptoms appear. During hot weather, the air conditioner should remain on, and a humidifier can help during cold temperatures. This will stop your skin from becoming overly dry. To reduce eczema flare-ups, there are some basic bathing rules you can follow. Use room temperature water in your tub or shower. Hot water can cause eczema flare-ups. Don't scrub your skin. Use a gentle soap alternative instead of soap itself. Pat your skin dry, and liberally apply moisturizer when you are done bathing. Eczema is a skin condition that produces red, itchy, dry and cracked skin. Using moisturizer frequently will help treat the symptoms and provide some relief. Petroleum jelly is an excellent moisturizer that contains no perfumes to irritate the skin. Keep a jar of petroleum jelly near every sink and use it throughout the day to soothe and add moisture to your skin.