Eczema can be merely uncomfortable or simply unbearable. The common skin condition can be difficult to manage but thankfully there are some excellent eczema remedies to try. These natural remedies help to protect and soothe the skin, decrease inflammation, prevent infection, and may even stop eczema from occurring in the first place.
Find out more about treating eczema naturally – all about the foods, supplements, and lifestyle changes you can try today.
What is Eczema?
If you or a loved one suffers from eczema you’ll know how uncomfortable it can be. Eczema is a skin condition that can vary extensively from individual to individual. It results in dry skin, and often scaly skin, redness, and itchiness. Once the skin begins to itch it starts up the itch-scratch cycle which leads to skin damage, bleeding, weeping, and infection.
Eczema can affect anyone, at any age, but it is most often seen in children. People who suffer from eczema as children may find that their condition lessens in severity, but will then recur later in life. Eczema is not contagious, and therefore you cannot catch it from someone else. It is certainly a troublesome condition, and often needs treatment in order to provide relief and lessen the severity of future outbreaks.
Can You Make Eczema Go Away With Natural Remedies?
There are natural remedies for eczema that work, depending on the severity of the condition and the reasons behind it. It is always worth checking with a doctor if you suffer from recurring episodes of eczema, but there is relief to be found away from prescription drugs.
Natural remedies can soothe the skin and stop the itch-scratch cycle without side effects. Many eczema medications cause side effects, and therefore many people steer clear from these solutions. You don’t need to suffer, though – try a natural solution to see if it makes a difference.
Lifestyle Changes for Soothing Eczema
One of the first steps to take when thinking about natural remedies for eczema is to look at your lifestyle. There are often simple things you can do to minimize the severity of eczema and prevent flare-ups.
For example, you can look at your diet. Allergy tests don’t always produce results, but sometimes it is as simple as taking one or two foods out of your diet for a time to see if you get results. This can be a bit tricky as there are obviously so many foods you can look at, but it is worth seeing if you can identify anything using this procedure – and then obviously you can think about taking the food out of your diet.
Also, try to look at the big picture and notice your eczema triggers so you can eliminate them. For example, you may notice a pattern where you see your eczema flare up after stress, when you get too hot, or when you sweat intensely.
Use only pure, natural, calming creams and other products on your skin. Avoid anything with chemicals, even if these say they are safe for eczema. Cleanse skin with a gentle, un-perfumed soap, and use a moisturizer that contains minimal added extras. You should also look at your laundry detergents and get rid of those with high levels of irritants, and can even consider washing clothes with a non-detergent alternative.
Six Natural Eczema Remedies
1) Honey
Honey is an ideal anti-microbial remedy with anti-inflammatory benefits thrown in. It helps to heal skin, and it can help soothe small patches of eczema on the skin. Obviously this is a sticky solution so try it on small areas first.
2) Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an ideal solution for itching skin, whether that is caused by eczema or another dry skin condition. Coconut oil is great for just about anything, in fact, and it is the first thing you need in your cupboard as a natural remedy. Coconut oil helps to relieve itching and cuts the pain associated with irritated skin.
3) Oatmeal
A simple traditional remedy for itchy dry skin conditions, an oatmeal bath is perfect for soothing skin and keeping your skin healthy. Oatmeal contains anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce itching and calm redness. Simply add oatmeal into a muslin or cheesecloth bag and hang under the tap as you run a bath.
4) Magnesium Soak
If you can tolerate baths, another good bathing remedy is a magnesium bath. Adding Epsom salts to a bath is a good way to get the benefits.
5) Jojoba
Jojoba is a type of oil that moisturizes the skin and provides intense, soothing relief. Try massaging with jojoba oil to soothe itchiness and prevent scratching.
6) Probiotics
Getting better gut health often translates to surprising benefits in other parts of the body. One of the eczema remedies you may not have tried is probiotics. Sometimes the trigger for eczema can be gut-related and probiotics help cut the link.