Dry skin and eczema in air-conditioned homes

Why air-conditioned homes dry out your skin

Your skin has a natural barrier made of oils and fats, including ceramides. It keeps water in and irritants out. In people with eczema, this barrier is weaker, so skin loses water faster and reacts more easily.

Several everyday habits in the UAE can strip that barrier:

• Hours in cooled, dry air at home, in the office and in the car
• Hot, long showers, especially more than once a day
• Foaming soaps and fragranced shower gels
• Fragranced laundry products and rough fabrics
• Moving between the heat outside and cold air inside, which can trigger itch

Eczema often runs in families and is linked to asthma and hay fever. It is not contagious.

How to choose an emollient cream in the UAE

An emollient is simply a moisturiser designed to soften skin and reduce water loss. The European eczema guideline (EuroGuiDerm), written by dermatologists from across Europe, describes emollients as the essence of every atopic eczema treatment. When choosing an emollient cream in the UAE, look for:

• Fragrance-free and dye-free formulas, which are less likely to sting
• Ceramides, which help restore the skin's own barrier fats
• Glycerin or hyaluronic acid, which draw water into the skin
• Urea at low strengths, useful for rough, thickened areas such as heels (it can sting on cracked or broken skin)
• A texture you like. Ointments and balms are greasier and may sting less. Creams and lotions are easier to use in the day.

Doctors generally advise against using aqueous cream as a leave-on moisturiser, because it can irritate the skin. Many people find they need two products: a lighter lotion for daytime and a richer balm for night or very dry patches.

CeraVe vs Eucerin: how do they compare?

Both are widely used, fragrance-free ranges for dry and eczema-prone skin. Neither is "better" for everyone. The right choice is the one that feels comfortable and does not sting.

If you have tried one brand for two to three weeks and your skin still feels uncomfortable, it is reasonable to try another. Patch test any new product on a small area first.

How to use an eczema cream in the UAE climate

Technique matters as much as the product. The European eczema guideline recommends a few simple steps:

1. Moisturise at least twice a day, and more often if you can. Keep going even when your skin looks better.
2. Apply within a few minutes of bathing, while your skin is still slightly damp.
3. Smooth it on gently. Do not rub hard.
4. Use plenty. The European guideline suggests about 250g a week for widespread eczema, so a pump bottle or tub is often better value than a small tube.
5. Wash with an emollient wash or gentle soap-free cleanser instead of regular soap.
6. Keep showers short and lukewarm, then pat dry with a soft towel.

A few home changes also help. Set the air conditioning to a comfortable rather than very cold temperature, and consider a humidifier in the bedroom. Choose loose cotton clothing and fragrance-free laundry products. Keep nails short to limit damage from scratching, especially in children.

One safety note: emollients are not flammable on skin, but fabric soaked in them, such as bedding and clothing, can catch fire more easily. Keep away from open flames, including incense burners, and wash bedding often.