Make Your Home Skin-Friendly

One person in ten has eczema at some time in their life and it affects all age groups. Modern homes can worsen already sensitive skin.

Kitchen - Cleaning solutions can irritate skin and eyes. Bleach is the harshest of all - replace with natural products or vinegar or baking soda dilluted with water. Open windows and wear PVC gloves when cleaning. Washing powder and fabric conditioner leave residues in clothes; buy non-bio, avoid fabric conditioner and use a double-rinse cycle.

Living Room - Vaccum soft furnishings regularly: dust mites gather in the seams. Mites are a major home allergen for many eczema sufferers; they feed on dead skin cells and their droppings trigger eczema by breaking down the skin's barrier. Leather type covering are best. Dust furniture and TVs with a damp cloth. Vaccum and wash curtains which hold dust; replace with roller blinds if possible. Carpets harbour mites and mould spores, which can induce allergies. Invest in a high-suction vaccum cleaner with an HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter or replace carpets with tiles, laminate, vinyl or wood flooring.

Children's Room - Wash favourite soft toys weekly at 60 degrees C or put them in the freezer for three to four hours then wash at a lower temperature. Don't keep them on the bed.

Bedroom - Keep ventilated and turn the temperature down - mites thrive at 18 to 24 degrees C. Use an anti-allergy mattress cover. Vaccum the mattress and mattress cover. Vaccum the mattress and wash bedding weekly at 60 degrees C. Use cotton sheets and covers but synthetic pillow fillings.

Bathroom - Avoid soap and bubble bath which break down the skin's barrier. Use emollient wash or oil instead. Baby wipes can trigger childhood eczema: use cotton wool or tissue with emollient cream/lotion. Keep well ventilated and dry towels outside to keep humidity levels down.

Pets - Avoid furry pets as dender aggravates eczema and dust mites breed in fur. In any case, keep pets out of bedrooms, give them their own beds and wash the bedding regularly.