Wrap Up In Cold Weather
Cold, harsh winter winds can dry out skin and cause eczema flares.
Keep the skin covered when temperatures are low. Also, consider covering the face with a scarf if eczema occurs on the face.
Many home remedies are suitable for babies and children, but always speak to a doctor before using them on kids of any age.
The following home remedies may help:
Here Are Natural Treatments And Home Remedies That May Help Soothe Psoriasis And Eczema Symptoms Including Dry Tight And Itchy Skin
Psoriasis and eczema are two separate skin conditions, yet, they share symptoms of dry, tight and itchy skin. Many people use products that go beyond their doctor-prescribed medications as a complementary method to manage the skin conditions. However, before considering any kind of treatment, its important to discuss it with your dermatologist and to try to learn more about the triggers of your psoriasis or eczema symptoms.
That said, here are 10 natural or home remedies that may help alleviate symptoms of these two skin conditions.
Evening Primrose Oil For Atopic Dermatitis
Evening primrose oil can also be taken as a supplement or applied topically as an effective natural treatment for eczema. Oil extracts from evening primrose contain essential fatty acids that have a beneficial effect on the skin.
The University of Maryland reports that the most scientifically proven medical use for evening primrose oil is to treat the painful symptoms of eczema. A study into the effectiveness of evening primrose oil in reducing scaling and redness found that over 1,000 people found relief from eczema. Evening primrose oil also helped to reduce itching, swelling, and crusting in both adults and children with atopic dermatitis.20
Although some reports say that evening primrose doesnt help with eczema symptoms, many people have found it to be effective in completely relieving their itchy skin.
You can make a topical application to nourish dry and flaky skin by adding a few drops of chamomile oil to a tablespoon of evening primrose oil. Apply the remedy to the affected area 2-3 times a day to get relief from red, itchy skin caused by eczema.
You may find that taking evening primrose oil as a supplement could help alleviate the irritation caused by eczema.
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Coconut Oil For Treating Eczema
Virgin coconut oil is a soothing natural home remedy to prevent and treat eczema. Coconut oil provides deep hydration to the skin, protecting it from drying out and becoming scaly. Coconut oil is an effective natural treatment for eczema because it contains antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory agents.7
Research on the healing properties of coconut oil for eczema shows that its antibacterial activities are effective against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. In fact, a study published in the journal Dermatitis showed that coconut oil also acts as an emollient to moisturize dry skin and kill off bacteria that cause skin infections. It described coconut oil as useful in the proactive treatment of atopic dermatitis colonization.8
Coconut oil is also gentle enough to help treat mild to moderate eczema in infants. The International Journal of Dermatology found that virgin coconut oil effectively helps to reduce redness on the inflamed skin of infants, as well as helping to hydrate and soothe dry skin.9
Many eczema sufferers claim that organic unrefined virgin coconut oil helps to keep their outbreaks of eczema under control and gives them better results than much more expensive products.
To use coconut oil to repair skin damaged by eczema all you have to do is apply coconut oil directly to the affected area several times a day and before you go to sleep. Apply the coconut oil daily until the reddish itchy patches of skin have gone completely.
What Are The Effects Of Eczema
Eczema is a medical condition that affects the skin in various ways. It can result in rough, dry patches that may produce intense itching, blisters and bleeding skin if left untreated. Occasionally, eczema is a reaction to various substances, known as eczematous dermatitis, but most often has no known cause.
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The Nightmare Of Eczema On Hands
Yes, it feels like you are experiencing something straight out of a horror movie. People probably shun you when you stick out your hand for a handshake because they see your condition. Such rude behavior devastates you emotionally and makes you depressed. Eczema on hands is uncomfortable, itchy, painful, and embarrassing. Construction workers and machinists are increased risk.
Symptoms:
- Red, burgundy, or dark brown patches
- Burning sensation
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Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Eczema
When you have mild eczema, you can always think of treating it with the help of ingredients available in your kitchen or home. However, if you see these remedies not working to reduce the rashes or itchiness even after a considerable time, you should always consult your doctor because an eczema that gets worsened may give you a variety of skin infections.
Tree Tea Oil Bath For Eczema Relief
You may even use tea tree oil in your bathing water to get relief from eczema symptoms. Heres how to do so.
Get this:
- Tea tree oil- 10-15 drops
- Olive oil/ Sweet almond oil- 1-2 tbsp
- Warm bath water
- Add drops of tea tree oil to your warm bath.
- Now add olive oil or sweet almond oil to the bath.
- Take bath with this water.
- Do not use such bath more than twice a day.
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Soothe Your Symptoms Without A Prescription
Eczema is a chronic skin disorder characterized by itching rashes which may be red, scaly, dry, or leathery. There may be skin blisters with oozing and crusting. It usually occurs for the first time in infants, with rashes typically occurring on the cheeks, elbows, or knees.
Although it is often less of a problem in adulthood, eczema can persist, especially if a person is exposed to allergens or chemical irritants or is under stress. In adults, eczema is commonly located on the inner elbow or behind the knee. People with eczema frequently have family members with asthma, hay fever, or eczema.
So far, scientific support for the claim that any remedy can treat eczema is fairly lacking. Here’s a look at remedies that are often said to prevent eczema or help relieve symptoms:
Apply: Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has long been used to soothe skin inflammation and burns, and it is also an astringent. If you have psoriasis sores, apple cider vinegar may help ease itching and scaling, says Dr. Jacknin. Add about a half-cup to a tubful of water. When it comes to eczema, you can apply witch hazel to a lesion the witch hazel also has astringent properties that can help dry it out, she says. Here are the 13 ways apple cider vinegar may benefit your health.
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Tea Tree Oil For Eczema
Tea tree oil is a gotten from the leaves of Melaleuca Alternifolia tree.
Due to the presence of anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, this oil can be used to relieve skin dryness, itchiness and to also prevent infection.
How to use Tea Tree oil to Get Rid of Eczema
- Purchase tea tree oil.
- Dilute this oil with essential oil before using it on your skin.
- Or mix it with a carrier oil.
- Rub it on the affected area in the morning before bathing and at night.
How To Use Topical Corticosteroids
Do not be afraid to apply the treatment to affected areas to control your eczema.
Unless instructed otherwise by a doctor, follow the directions on the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
This will give details of how much to apply.
Most people only have to apply it once a day as there’s no evidence there’s any benefit to applying it more often.
When using a topical corticosteroid:
- apply your emollient first and ideally wait around 30 minutes until the emollient has soaked into your skin, or apply the corticosteroid at a different time of day
- apply the recommended amount of the topical corticosteroid to the affected area
- continue to use it until 48 hours after the flare-up has cleared so the inflammation under the skin surface is treated
Occasionally, your doctor may suggest using a topical corticosteroid less frequently, but over a longer period of time. This is designed to help prevent flare-ups.
This is sometimes called weekend treatment, where a person who has already gained control of their eczema uses the topical corticosteroid every weekend on the trouble sites to prevent them becoming active again.
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Treating Dyshidrotic Eczema At Home
Diluted Bleach In The Bath
If your baby’s eczema regularly flares up, a dilute bleach bath— a bath where a small, gentle amount of bleach is mixed in—may help.
A bleach bath helps clean off harmful bacteria that may cause your baby’s eczema to flare up, including the bacteria responsible for staph infections. Research shows that bleach baths may not only clean off this bacteria and reduce infections, but also directly stop eczema flares.
As the American Academy of Dermatology recommends, use ¼ cup of regular strength bleach for a standard tub that will be half full of water, and one teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water for a baby tub.
Measure out the bleach with the measuring spoon or cup, and pour it into the bath as the tub is filling up with water, to make sure the bleach is fully diluted.
Then, bathe your baby for the length of time that your dermatologist recommends. Make sure plenty of bleach water gets on all areas of your baby’s body. Use a washcloth to gently apply the bleach water to baby’s head, neck, hands and feet.
Like with all natural eczema treatments, always ask your dermatologist before starting a dilute bleach bath treatment. For more details on how to give your baby a bleach bath, check out our article on bathing eczema babies.
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Vitamin D And Its Effect On Eczema
If your kids eczema gets worse in winters, it might be due to the deficiency of vitamin D. Vitamin D has been importantly linked with eczema and other skin conditions by certain studies. These studies have found that eczema in kids as well as eczema in adults have relation with low levels of vitamin D. While it has still not been proven whether taking vitamin D supplement helps cure eczema or not but is said that it will not worsen the condition of skin. However, its dosage should be less than 10,000 IU per day. It is recommended to consult your doctor before you take any supplement including vitamin D supplement.
The key to prevent eczema flare ups is to keep your skin moisturized and recognizing the triggers that make your eczema worse. Taking proper care of these will certainly help you get rid of eczema soon!
Hand Eczema Treatment Options
Your hands are always exposed to weather extremes. In the winter months, the air is cold and dry. During the summer, the heat dries out your delicate skin. If you are a chronic hand washer, then you need to immediately stop if you want to undertake eczema treatment options. Yes, after you use the bathroom, still suds up, but try to avoid excessive soap use. At home, stock your sink with mild hand soaps. During the cold weather, you probably use GermX hand sanitizer to avoid contracting the flu or some other health problem that runs rampant around November, December, and January. We applaud you for trying to remain healthy, but the alcohol in such sanitizers is harsh and intense on your hands. It works as an astringent and you can probably feel it burn as you apply it to the delicate tissue. Apply such caustic formulas is not the best way to improve the skin on your hands even if it prevents you from contracting a virus.
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Resist The Urge To Scratch
Scratching takes dry, irritated skin from bad to worse. If mentally willing the itch away doesnt work, try an over-the-counter anti-itch spray like TriCalm Extra Strength Spray. Its recommended by the National Eczema Association and doesnt require touching your itchy skin.
Another idea? Don a pair of cotton gloves at night so you dont accidentally scratch yourself while youre snoozing. Sounds weird, but it works.
Eczema In Infants And Children
It is very distressing for parents to see their toddlers and infants suffer from eczema. According to the National Eczema Association, around 10% of all infants in the U.S. suffer from some form of infant eczema.2
The appearance of infant eczema is different from eczema in older children and adults. Depending on the age of your infant, patches of eczema appear in different places. According to the National Eczema Association, the stages of infant eczema are as follows:2
- Babies under 6 months. Red patches of weepy skin around your babys face and on the scalp.
- Babies from 6 to 12 months. Patches of eczema develop around the elbows and knees. If these patches become infected, then pus bumps can occur which turn crusty when the pus dries.
- Toddlers from 2 to 5 years. Your toddlers eczema thickens and have the appearance of dry, scaly, and inflamed skin. Outbreaks of eczema may be more common around the mouth and eyelids.
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Are There Home Remedies For Eczema
Removing exacerbating factors is a good place to start. This may be as simple as changing the laundry detergent to one that is fragrance free or as difficult as moving to a new climate or changing jobs.
Long baths in soapy water or long hot showers may worsen eczema. On the other hand, soaking in warm, non-soapy water followed immediately by moisturizers to “seal in the moisture” is helpful. Prevent dry skin by taking short lukewarm showers or baths. Use a mild soap or body cleanser. Short contact of the skin with a shampoo is generally not a problem, but prolonged contact may worsen the rash on the neck and face. Prior to drying off, apply an effective emollient to wet skin. Emollients are substances that inhibit the evaporation of water. Generally, they are available in jars and have a “stiff” consistency. They do not flow and ought to leave a shine with a slightly greasy feel on the skin. Most good emollients contain petroleum jelly although certain solid vegetable shortenings do a more than creditable job. The thicker, the better, although patient preference is usually toward thinner lotions because of ease of application and avoidance of a greasy feel. Oatmeal baths may be soothing to itchy, fissured skin although best outcomes will still result from applying moisturizers after rinsing off.
Avoid wearing tight-fitting, rough, or scratchy clothing.
Anything that causes sweating can irritate the rash. Avoid strenuous exercise during a flare.
How Can I Deal With Eczema
You may need a moisturizer to control the dryness and itchiness. Some people need stronger medicines called corticosteroids. Steroid ointment or cream rubbed on skin can help calm the inflammation .
Your doctor might suggest you try an antihistamine, a medicine that’s either a pill to swallow or a liquid. It can help control the itching and help you sleep at night. If all that scratching leads to an infection, you may need an antibiotic. None of these eczema medicines will cure you forever, but they can help make your skin more comfortable and less red.
Here are some other important steps to take:
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