Overview
Eczema is a medical condition in which patches of skin become itchy, red, and inflamed with blisters. It can even cause itching and bleeding. Millions of people affected by eczema in the United States every year and there are different stages and types in eczema. It can appear anywhere on the body.
Sometimes, people refer to eczema as atopic dermatitis. It is considered as one of the common types of eczema. The word “atopic” means a group of diseases which involves the immune system and also related to several diseases including
- Hay fever
- Atopic dermatitis
- Asthma
It is continuing to grow in some people, while some others will put an end to this disease immediately by following some natural remedies. You can ease the symptoms of eczema by following some home remedies.
Swelling in some areas of the body, dry skin, sensitive skin, inflamed red skin, oozing or crusting, very bad itching, dark colored patches of skin, and rough, leathery or scaly patches of skin are the symptoms of eczema. It is important to remember that the symptoms of eczema are different for everyone. If you want to confirm your eczema problem, then make an appointment with your physician and he/she may look for the symptoms and diagnose your problem.
You can reduce the severeness of your problem and get rid of the symptoms of eczema by following the below best natural remedies.
Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera gel has the capability of treating various health conditions. It has been used by the people for centuries ago and can soothe eczema. It has been observed in research that the effects of aloe vera gel can offer health benefits to the people due to its properties of antibacterial, wound healing, antimicrobial, and immune system-boosting.
The properties of the antibacterial and antimicrobial present in the aloe vera gel can prevent skin infections which can occur in the form of dry and cracked skin. As the properties of wound healing present in the aloe vera gel can soothe your broken skin and speed up your healing process.
Aloe vera gel can be available in all health stores or you can buy it online. Don’t buy the aloe vera gel products which contain ingredients such as
- Alcohol
- Fragrances
- Colors
- Preservatives
Using the product which contains the above ingredients can make your condition worse in the way of increasing the irritation to your skin. We would advise people to use the product with a small amount of gel to check for skin sensitivity. Sometimes, this gel becomes a reason for burning or stinging. But it is considered as the most effective method for adults and children.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has the capability of balancing the skin acidity levels and it is high in acidic. Even though the skin is naturally acidic, but the people who are suffering from eczema contains the low acidic skin. Apple cider vinegar is considered one of the most effective home remedies and it can treat various problems related to the problems of the skin.
Based on the report given by the National Eczema Association (NEA), apple cider vinegar can ease the symptoms of eczema and help people to combat the condition. We would advise you to have a word with your physician before using this as there are chances of the high content of acid present in the vinegar can damage soft tissue.
While more research needed to be done as this experiment lacks the evidence that apple cider vinegar eases the symptoms of vinegar. But people continuing to use it because this solution can fight against the bacteria and balance the skin acidity levels. It has been observed in a study that apple cider vinegar has the capability of fighting bacteria including Escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus.
Make sure that before applying apple cider vinegar it to your skin, dilute it properly. Because you will experience chemical burns or other injuries due to undiluted vinegar. Preparing this solution is very easy and all you need to do is add one tablespoon of the vinegar in a cup of warm water and apply the solution to the affected area with the help of cotton or gauze.
Bleach in the bath
It may sound crazy to you, but studies showing that bleach in the bath can reduce the eczema symptoms due to its effects on antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Bleach has the capability of killing the bacteria on the surface of the skin and with its antibacterial effects, it is killing the round shaped bacterium known as staphylococcus aureus which is the main cause of people getting staph infections.
It is a very simple method and all you need to do is adding a half cup of bleach in a full bathtub of water and pour in the bleach while the bath is filling. Soak it for five to ten minutes and rinse the body completely with warm water. If you are experiencing any irritation or redness, we would advise you to stop using bleach in the bath. People who are suffering from breathing problems like asthma shouldn’t opt for this method because of its strong fumes.
Bathing
When you are suffering from eczema, we would advise you to take bathe at least twice a day. It is an important part and can speed up your healing process. Your skin wants extra moisture as the outer layer tends to not work.
- Don’t use the water which is too hot or cold for your body
- Use soap which is prescribed by a skin specialist, and
- Don’t forget to moisturize your skin after the bathe
Failing to follow the above points may result in dry out the skin and make your condition even worse.
Coconut Oil
Healthful fatty acids present in the coconut oil can be helpful in adding moisture to the skin, and it can be a great help to the people who are suffering from eczema and dry skin. We would advise people to use virgin coconut oil as it can protect the skin by fighting against inflammation and improves your skin health.
It has been observed in a clinical trial that using this oil for eight weeks can reduce the symptoms of eczema in the children and worked better than the mineral oil.
Honey
Honey is considered as a natural agent of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and people used honey to heal wounds for centuries ago. It has been observed in a study that people can heal wounds and improves the function of the immune system with the help of honey. As the honey is boosting the immune system, it will help the person to fight against the infections.
Another study revealed that honey can treat a variety of skin ailments, including burns and wounds due to its antibacterial properties.
To experience the benefits, all you need to do is apply honey directly to the affected area, or eczema can prevent the infections and speed up your healing process.
Tea tree oil
This essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree. It has the capability of treating skin disorders including eczema. It has been observed in a study that tea tree oil can accelerate the healing process with its anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and antibacterial properties present in the oil. It can prevent infections and can offer you relief from itching and dryness.
Make Small changes to your Diet
Eczema is considered an inflammatory condition and can cause redness, sore skin, and inflammation. Eliminate inflammatory foods in your diet as it may be problematic. Following are the common inflammatory foods include:
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Soy
We would advise you to avoid the above foods in order to reduce the severeness of your condition.
Oral Medications
If there is no improvement after trying all the natural remedies, we would advise you to consult your physician and after assessing your condition, your doctor may recommend certain oral medication to you as you are suffering from eczema.
People who didn’t get relief from eczema by using creams may also benefit from using oral medications. Azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate are some of the examples of oral medications that usually doctors prescribe to people with eczema.
High blood pressure, nausea, increased infection risk, and causing damage to kidneys and liver are the severe side effects that people experience with the use of oral medications.
Relaxation techniques
One of the common triggers of eczema is stress. People need to manage their stress levels as it can play a great role in developing inflammation. You can reduce eczema flare-ups by following some relaxation techniques.
Yoga, Meditation, tai chi, cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, deep breathing, hypnosis, visualization, and music therapy are the various relaxation techniques that may help reduce eczema flare-ups.
Conclusion
Eczema can be treated without the doctor’s help. Many home remedies can ease the symptoms of eczema including essential oils, natural gels, medicated baths, and eliminating some foods in your diet.
If your condition is severe or does not respond to home remedies, then you should consult a doctor.
References
- https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(94)70050-8/pdf
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00403-010-1083-y
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05654.x
Sirisha B