Ointments -- my husband fondly calls them goop -- are an eczema patient's best friend. I just use Vaseline and apply it liberally morning, noon, and night.
Some patients may dislike ointments because they leave you feeling sticky. They can then also get on sheets, clothes, or furniture. Ointments do wash off in the laundry but will stand out on fabrics as discoloration until they are washed. I find that applying them liberally and then putting on cotton pants and a long sleeve cotton shirt for protection is very helpful for my skin. Doing this as a bedtime routine can be a good alternative for those who do not want to be sticky during the day.
Why are ointments good?
Patients with eczema get tiny cracks in their skin. These cracks let irritants into the skin and moisture out. Nasir, author of Eczema-Free for Life, calls this "leaky skin." Ointments are doubly good because they keep moisture in and keep irritants out. Use them often!
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