Dry fall weather wreaks havoc on a lot of people's skin but especially on those who suffer from eczema like myself. It's like the air is sucking the moisture out of my skin, but the effect is always different depending on what part of my body is breaking out. My hands feel tight at just a hint of water, my arms and face break out in flaky patches, and my legs and random spots on my torso get red and unbearably itchy. Having to deal with it since I was a child has taught me a few things that hopefully will help my fellow eczema sufferers.

First, you have to find the products that work for you. Everyone is different, and that applies to your skin as well, even for people who are afflicted with the same condition. I know people that can use brands' specialty eczema lotions like Aveeno or Gold Bond, and it works for them. I can not. For some reason, they don't help me in the slightest. The same goes for soaps. Some eczema sufferers can use soaps or body washes that are simply made for dry or sensitive skin. I, however, am left with tight, itchy skin after just one use. After a dermatologist's recommendation, I have been using Cetaphil face wash, body wash, and lotion for years now, and up until this year it has worked flawlessly.

That being said, my skin has chosen this (my senior year) to freak out. I guess it's because we're having an incredibly dry spell. Whatever the reason, I've had to go in search of alternative options to hopefully alleviate the torture that I'm going through. Recently, I bought a local vendor's naturally made goat milk soap. So far, I have no complaints. I haven't noticed a drastic difference, but I haven't had any new breakouts and the itching has decreased noticeably. A friend who also suffers from eczema recently recommended a new brand to me - Shea Moisture's African Black Soap. I've done some research on it, and I've only seen positive reviews so I'm probably going to try it next if I'm not fully satisfied with the goat milk soap.

My main important tip: take care of your body. Drink water. I know a lot of people hate drinking water, but your body needs it and that includes your skin. Vitamins are also a good thing to invest in whether it's just a plain old multivitamin or ones known for being good for your skin.

Healthy skin is something we often take for granted if we have it, but take it from somebody who's dealt with eczema her whole life - appreciate your non-itchy, not tight or flaky skin. I would kill to be able to wash my hands without feeling like I was just holding the desert afterwards.