Moisturising Skin in Winter BY DR CARL WONG DR CARL WONG IS A LANE COVE-BASED GP AND SITS ON THE BOARD OF SYDNEY COMMUNITY SERVICES
Every winter, eczema tends to be a big problem. But it doesn’t have to be, if a few things are kept in mind, and on the skin. Talia’s mother was at her wits’ end, “I can’t seem to get (my daughter’s) eczema under control no matter what I do.” Occurring in 60 per cent of children during the first year of life, and tending to improve by adulthood, childhood atopic eczema (or dermatitis) is a chronic common itchy inflammatory condition of the skin. It can be a distressing condition – for both child and parent and is associated with disrupted sleep and poor school performance. There are many misconceptions about eczema and many traps fallen into when managing it. Parents of affected children often say it is difficult to get a consistent clear message on treatment. Part of the problem is that the damaged skin does not retain moisture very well, causing it to dry out easily, making
it more susceptible to allergens and irritants. The skin then becomes itchy which leads to scratching. Scratching gives temporary relief, but the skin counterintuitively becomes more itchy! This self-perpetuating ‘itch-scratch’ cycle is even more frustrating because eczema has no clear cause and unfortunately no cure. Therefore the management goal is to get the best control possible, and to not aim for a ‘cure’ finish-line that will never come. One cure attempt parents often try is by way of food-elimination diets. Unfortunately this won’t work and strong evidence in studies have consistently shown this. Furthermore eliminating food groups completely from the diet can ironically lead to the severe allergies one was trying to avoid in the first place, as the growing body does not get acclimatised to that same food from a young age. Up to 30 per cent will develop food allergies, but like also with asthma and hay fever, these are associative but not causative relationships.
Winter sports injuries Sport is an important part of many peoples lives and is highly beneficial for our mental and physical health. For this reason, keeping you pain free and involved in your sport or activity is one of our priorities at Burns Bay Physiotherapy. We never like to hear someone has decided to simply rest for a few weeks hoping your problem will resolve, only to return to your activity and find you are no better. There is a lot we can do as physiotherapists to help get you back to your sport quickly and safely. We also can work with you to help understand if there is anything that can be done to help keep you enjoying your sport without a recurrence of your problem. Often there are strengthening, stretching or control exercises that we can teach you to assist you in the short and long term. Sometimes taping can help keep you active. We can teach you what is appropriate for you and your problem. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner we can have you back enjoying your sport and activity.
Don’t let pain and stiffness keep you from enjoying your winter sport, we can help.
BURNS BAY PHYSIOTHERAPY 161 Burns Bay Rd, Lane Cove P: 9427 8333 E: info@burnsbayphysiotherapy.com.au
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