Is Lavender Good For Eczema

Using Essential Oils For Your Childs Eczema

Essential oils are not only effective on adultsbut they arealso useful for treating pediatric patients.

In fact, eczema is most common in babies and declines with age.As with adults, there is some mystery about the precise causes. They arethought to primarily stem from environmental or food allergies in the youngestsufferers.

Here are four valuable tips for introducing essential oilsto your child.

Jojoba Oil By Leven Rose

People who manage eczema dont have the ability to produce or maintain a proper barrier on the skin, according to the NEA. Jojoba Oil by Leven Rose is nutrient-dense, made with no additives or parabens, and can be used as a natural skin conditioner. It can seal in the moisture and form an effective barrier to external elements, such as cold weather, which generally dries out the skin, says Jaliman. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help soothe irritated skin.

When To Contact A Doctor About Eczema

There are several times when a person may want to contact their doctor about eczema.

• If eczema develops yellow crusting or pus-filled blisters, this may indicate a bacterial infection and may require a prescription for antibiotic cream.
• Painful, fluid-filled blisters could indicate eczema herpeticum, a rare, severe complication caused by the herpes simplex virus. A person should seek immediate medical attention.
• A person who has chronic eczema flares should see their doctor if they develop a fever, experience chills, have reduced energy, or develop signs of infection, such as oozing blisters and excessive itchiness.

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Probiotics: What Are They And Do They Really Help Eczema

Our intestines and skin are naturally studded with trillions of bacteria. The bacteria and their metabolites is known as microbiome. A balanced microbiome is essential for good health.

We now know that eczema patients have an imbalance of bacterial make-up in the gut and skin, a term called dysbiosis, with too many harmful bacterial and too few beneficial ones. Recent research has shown that taking probiotics orally can improve eczema.

Probiotics are thought to work by rebalancing the microbiome and decreasing inflammatory responses. So how do we choose the right probiotics among the many commercially available ones?

More research is needed to find the optimal daily probiotic dose, but a recently published research article shows that 10^9 total colony forming units of probiotics that contain mixed Lactobaccillus and Bifidobacillus species can improve eczema severity and reduce the need for topical steroid use.

Mixed strains that have more than one type of bacteria appear to be more beneficial than single strained probiotics. A meta-analysis published in 2016 reports that synbiotics appear to be more beneficial than probiotics alone.

We also want to choose a probiotic product that comes with prebiotics, which are the sugars that bacteria use as fuel and are not digestible by humans.

Anjou Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

While coconut is not an essential oil, it may help some people who suffer from eczema. There is some evidence to suggest that coconut oil contains other components that can help soothe the skin with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, says Fenton, supporting a study published in December 2009 in Pharmaceutical Biology. This versatile oil can also be used on the hair, scalp, and nails. Anjou Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, cold-pressed, and unrefined.

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Before Taking This Medicine

Before using lavender, talk to your healthcare provider. You may not be able to use lavender if you have certain medical conditions.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have:

• high or low blood pressure.

It is not known whether lavender will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether lavender passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice. Lavender products for the skin might be possibly unsafe for children, especially young boys.

How Do I Avoid Lavender

The easiest way to prevent a future reaction is to not use undiluted lavender oil on your skin. Avoid using the same oil or blend for a few weeks, and make sure to read all labels and instructions before use.

Keep a list of anything that may have led to a reaction, such as specific products or locations, so you know what to avoid in the future.

Linalyl acetate is a very common chemical used to provide fragrance in scented products. However, its not often listed on products sold in the European Union because the EU doesnt consider it an allergenic compound.

This poses an issue for those with lavender allergies, as its the chemical that often leads to allergic reactions.

Be sure to read ingredient labels before use. This can help to prevent long-term allergic eczema, which can be severe. Consider using unscented products.

Read Also: What Can A Dermatologist Do For Eczema

What Other Drugs Will Affect Lavender

Other drugs may interact with lavender, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Do not take lavender without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

Doterra Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender oil may help reduce inflammation and restore balance to the skin. Lavender oil has exceptional anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Its a good choice for people with sensitive skin, says Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in New York City. Lavender, such as doTerra Lavendar Essential Oil, is particularly good for people with redness due to rosacea and skin that is irritated by eczema, Dr. Jaliman adds. Be sure to use this essential oil with a carrier oil, or add a few drops of it to your bath water. Because the Food and Drug Administration has not approved lavender for medicinal use, be absolutely sure its safe to add to your skincare regimen by consulting with your doctor beforehand.

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How To Prevent Eczema Flare Ups

While we can help relieve some of the itching and dryness of the skin with essential oils, we should also learn to prevent eczema flare ups. Here are a few habits that can help prevent eczema:

• learn what triggers your flare ups and stay away from those
• take warm baths instead of steamy hot ones
• always use a moisturizer after your baths
• watch your diet: some foods trigger eczema attacks

Lavender is a wonderful oil to have around: use it to calm your skin, and heal your eczema.

For Eczema Natural Isnt Always Best

Remember that certain plants may contain active substances that are toxic or potential allergens. Even vinegar, which is often used as a natural alternative to cleaners or detergents, is especially harsh on babys skin.

In the same vein, place your laundry in the dryer rather than hanging clothes to dry outdoors .

In short, you should avoid all allergens and irritants, whether natural or synthetic.

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When To Contact A Doctor

If youre curious about trying an essential oil, talk with a doctor first. They can help you determine if using essential oils poses any concerns, such as making your condition worse.

Also, if you use an essential oil and see signs of redness, itching, burning, or stinging on your skin, contact a doctor and immediately discontinue use, as you may be having an allergic reaction.

Even though essential oils may provide relief for your severe eczema, use these oils with caution. Some people experience irritation due to allergic reactions or sensitivities after applying the oils. Essential oils are also not safe to swallow.

More research is needed to determine if these oils truly help relieve eczema symptoms.

If youre using an essential oil for the first time, do a skin test. To perform a skin test:

• Apply a small, diluted dab to a patch of skin.
• Look for signs of a reaction, like stinging, burning, or redness.

Great Essential Oil Bases For Eczema Treatment

One great way to benefit from essential oils is to mix it with a base oil. This creates a calming lotion that can have added benefits.

As a base for these oils, many people prefer various vegetable oils for their moisturizing properties. Using coconut oil for eczema is especially recommended for its rich, highly moisturizing properties as well as its antibacterial properties. Another great option is to add your essential oils to an oil blended with healing calendula flowers, like this Organic Calendula Oil with a base of olive oil.

Read more: Why You Should Try Calendula For Eczema Relief

Before using essential oils, test a small amount on your skin to ensure you arent allergic or susceptible to any adverse reactions and, as always, talk to your doctor about your condition and treatment methods before attempting them.

Bio: Brooke Cade is passionate about health and wellness. She enjoys writing about all the things she loves in life, including yoga, hydrotherapy, Natures Sunshine products, and anything related to living life to its fullest.

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What Are Essential Oils

Essential oils are plant extracts made from various parts of the plant including flowers, bark, leaves, or fruit.

In the process of extraction, the compound that produces fragrance is concentrated and captured.

There are three ways essential oils can be used: through aromatherapy, topically, or ingested.

Aromatherapy involves inhaling the oils, usually by adding them to water or carrier oil and putting them in a diffuser, and is said to help with stress and anxiety.

They should also be diluted for topical application, usually with carrier oil or with a cream .

When applied topically, they can sometimes cause burns or damage, so its best to talk about any treatment with a dermatologist or health care provider before use.

You can ingest some essential oils in teas or by putting a few drops on your tongue, but they typically need to be diluted first and some are poisonous, especially to children, so they should only be ingested under the guidance of your physician and in general, internal use is not recommended.

Hidden Fragrance Compound In Lavender Can Cause Contact Allergy

Linalyl acetate, a fragrance chemical that is one of the main constituents of the essential oil of lavender, is not on the list of allergenic compounds pursuant to the EU Cosmetics Directive. Thus, it does not need to be declared on cosmetic products sold within the EU. Recent studies at the University of Gothenburg have shown that linalyl acetate can cause allergic eczema.

In accordance with the EU Cosmetics Directive, makeup, ointments, shampoo, deodorants, toothpaste and other products must contain a declaration of ingredients in order for consumers to avoid the substances to which they are allergic.

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The 4 Best Lavender Oil For Eczema Relief Recipes

Using lavender oil for eczema is one of the first things I think about when I have a flareup. Many people suffer from eczema, and if youre one of them, you know how hard it is to deal with it. Eczema is a skin condition which causes red, itchy, flaking patches of skin on your body. These raised, incredibly itchy spots can appear anywhere on your body, at any age. Some people experience severe cracked skin and rough skin patches. Skin damage is common with eczema, and while it has no cure, there are ways to lessen the severity of the symptoms.

Essential Oils For Cracked Skin

When your skin is cracked, you are exposed to fungus, germs,and the possibility of infection. Fight those contaminants with essential oils withanti-microbial propertiesthey will also soothe the damaged skin.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is a must-have when treating the broken skinthat stems from eczema. This essential oil is a versatile and powerfulmulti-tasker that is proven to kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

When treating eczema, it is useful as a topical antisepticto help prevent infection and help the wound heal up faster.

Because its so versatile in use, you should always keep tea tree oil on hand in your medicine cabinet. While we count it on our list with essential oils for eczema treatment, you can also use it to heal acne, dry cuticles, toenail fungus, chicken pox lesions, and more!

Helichrysum

Helichrysum is an antioxidant, antibacterial, and ananti-inflammatory agent, making it an ideal essential oil for eczema. Itsespecially helpful if youre experiencing cracked skin.

The anti-inflammatory helps to reduce the swelling around the cracked skin and promotes healing. Plus, the antibacterial components help prevent the cut from becoming infected. The antioxidant fights free radicals from the environment from assaulting the tender area and causing additional trauma.

Calendula Oil

When skin is so dry and scaly that it cracks open, it canleave you in a very uncomfortable situation physically and cause you embarrassmentover your skin mentally.

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Gentle Cleansing For Face & Body

Eczema Honey Gentle Oatmeal and Lavender Soap gives you a truly mild cleansing for sensitive skin feeling soft and smooth. It’s more than a soap its a gentle cleansing bar and the best soap you’ll want to lather up with according to My Life On & Off The Guest List. Washing with regular soap can cause skin to feel dry and tight. What makes this different? The combination of cleansers and moisturizing ingredients help to nourish skin and more gentle than typical soap bars.

Chamomile To Soothe Dermatitis

Chamomile is another well-known soothing essential oil that you can use to soothe the effects of dry skin and swelling caused by eczema. Home remedies containing chamomile oil also help to get rid of itchiness and irritation associated with eczema. Chamomile essential oil is also one of the best essential oils for skincare.

A study published 1998 found that chamomile was just as effective as hydrocortisone cream and can help to improve the symptoms of contact dermatitis. Hydrocortisone creams are commonly prescribed to reduce itching and redness associated with eczema. Added to that, chamomile oil also helps wounds to heal faster and inhibits inflammation.5

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Lavender Oil Sprays For Eczema

One way to use lavender oil for eczema isto put it in a spray bottle with a small amount of water. You can fill a bottleabout halfway, adding two or three drops of the oil before swirling it around.You dont need to shake the bottle as the oil will usually begin to spreadthrough the water soon after its introduced, especially if you use warm waterinstead of cold. Spray a small amount on the area of skin that is impacted by eczema.Try to use the mixture a few times during the day, especially if youreexperiencing a severe outbreak.

How To Choose The Best Oil

The following tips are useful when choosing an essential oil:

• Find an oil that is manufactured by cold pressing or steam distillation, as these are less likely to have been contaminated in the process.
• Avoid lavender oils packaged in plastic bottles darkened glass bottles preserve the oil best and ensure that it maintains its original scent and properties.
• The best lavender oils likely come from companies that are open about the sourcing of their products.
• Check all labels before choosing an oil, to ensure that the oil is pure and free of additives.

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Different Types Of Eczema And Which Essential Oils Can Help

Eczema is a term for types of dermatitis, it is a name used for a number of different skin conditions, which inflame the epidermis. These skin conditions can be caused by persistent dryness, recurring rashes or allergy related reactions, which are known as allergic contact eczemas

Some symptoms of Eczema are redness, itching, dryness, cracking and flacking. In worse cases it can lead to blisters and weeping or bleeding sores.

One common type of eczema is Atopic eczema. It is believed to be a hereditary condition, often goes hand in hand with asthma and manifests itself as an itchy rash, especially prominent on the scalp, neck, elbows, behind the knees and the buttocks. This can be helped with soothing oils like Petitgrain, Lavender or Sandalwood which help ease the itch and allow the skin to heal, and anti-inflammatory oils such as German Chamomile or Teatree to help the rash go down. Lavender, Sandalwood and Teatree will also help with any infections that may have arisen due to broken skin from scratching. Adding a few drops of these oils to a lukewarm bath along with a spoon full of baking soda would be very beneficial, or putting a couple of drops into a carrier oil such as Jojoba and gently massaging over the affected area.

To create an Eczema treatment you could begin by making 200ml of a moisturising lotion or blended base oil using Calendula and Avocado oils and adding a little Vitamin E. Then 100drops of essential oil:

30 drops Benzoin