Eczema

“When the itch is inside the boot, scratching outside provides little consolation”-Chinese Proverb

I suppose, as one gets older, it’s only natural to experience new diseases and conditions. For myself, the newest experience is Eczema, also called dermatitis, a dry skin condition that can result in recurring rashes, itching, flaking, etc. Apparently scratching can lead to permanent scarring.

Eczema covers a wide range of dry, red skin situations and is perhaps over used as the diagnoses of skin rashes. My case could be Contact dermatitis – perhaps our cat rubbed against something that then rubbed onto me, or Xerotic eczema – a dry skin that worsens in dry winter weather affecting mostly arms and legs, or Discoid eczema – rounds spots of dry rash on the lower legs in winter weather.

Sadly, there is no “cure” for dermatitis. It is often treated with corticosteroids which suppress the symptoms but it never goes away completely. If the condition is extreme with skin cracks, the normal protective barrier of the skin is disrupted which allows easy entry for bacteria. Scratching can introduce infection and spread it about which just makes the eczema flare up more, causing more cracks, more scratching, more infection in a nasty deteriorating spiral. If this occurs a doctor should perscribe an antibiotic and an anti-itch drug like antihistamine.

The best way to avoid or limit eczema is to prevent dry skin. My dermatologist asked if I used skin creams. No, I said. Well you will from now on, he replied. Here are some skin care recommendations:

1. Soap removes oil and will dry out skin. When showering, use a moisturizing body wash on dry areas like arms & legs instead of soap.
2. Don’t use a washcloth, sponge or loofah on the dry area. These will abrade the skin.
3. Pat the dermatitis area dry, never rub it dry with a towel.
4. Apply skin creams (emollients) twice daily. Look for a heavy cream that is recommended for eczema. Light creams may be too weak to be effective.
5. Use the skin cream within 3 mintues after taking a bath/shower to trap in the moisture.
6. There is a disagreement whether baths are desirable or a necessary evil. For example, the Mayo Clinic advises against daily baths to avoid skin drying. while the American Academy of Dermatology claims "it is a common misconception that bathing dries the skin and should be kept to a bare minimum" and recommends bathing to hydrate skin.
7. Hard water is harsh on the skin. Try using a water softener.
8. Avoid scratchy materials like wool.
9. Avoid environmental factors that trigger allergies (for example, pollen, mold, dust mites, and animal dander) [Right, shall I live in a bubble?]
10. My dermatologist said I should avoid long, hot showers. [Rats, that’s one of my favorite parts of the day]

Bottom Line

The exact cause of eczema is not known. Although it is activated by the immune system and is related to allergic reactions, it is not the same as other allergic reactions. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, the prevalence of atopic eczema is increasing and affects 9 to 30% of the U.S. population [20% of children and 2% of adults]. For some, the disease will improve with time. For others, however, eczema is a chronic or recurrent disorder that will last a lifetime.

Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eczema
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/eczema
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/eczema/article_em.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/eczema.html
http://www.medicinenet.com/eczema/article.htm

Wearing Wool

I got up one morning and couldn't find my socks, so I called Information and said, "I can't find my socks." She said, "They're behind the couch." And they were! - Stephen Wright

According to Wear Wool For Survival, humans have been using wool since about 10,000 B.C. Ancient Greeks lined their helmets with felt, and Roman legionnaires used breastplates made of wool felt. It is great for survival wear because it retains body heat when wet. (Most fabrics suck the warmth out of a person when they get wet from rain, snow or sweat.) Wool also has breathability, water resistance, odor-resistance, fire-resistance, durability, elasticity, crease-resistance, and UV-light resistance. Wool has been used as insulation in timber-frame buildings and for making rope. It insulates better than fiberglass and is naturally flame retardant. Wool can make excellent diapers with the ability to absorb moisture almost one-third of its own weight.

One drawback to wool is scratchiness. I have a pair of warm woolen socks that I hate to wear – too itchy! Soft wool does exist but you’ll have to spend extra for higher quality. The finest and softest wool is said to come from Merino sheep. They were originally bred in Spain but now Australian raises 80% of all Merinos. They can also be found in New Zealand, Argentina, South Africa, and the Western US.

Another drawback to wool is that woolen items can lose shape or shrink many sizes when washed. Here are some recommendations from wikiHow on How to Wash Wool:

• Don’t wash! Wool is odor resistant and can last a long time with only spot washing by hand for stains and a good airing out.
• To prevent shrinking, soak wool in cold water for a few hours before washing so all the woolen fibers become saturated.
• Use only a cleaner designed for washing wool. Strong detergent and soap in large quantity can harm wool.
• Heat and agitation are the enemies of wool. So never use the dryer – instead gently roll the item to squeeze out water and let it dry flat in the shape you want.
• The agitation of a washing machine can also be harmful. A good soak in water (or mild soap) and rinse is often sufficient.

Bottom Line
Wool is a great fabric for go-kits, hikes, and survival conditions. However make sure you are comfortable wearing it. You don’t want the distraction and annoyance of scratchy clothes when trying to cope with the stress of a disaster.