Eczema can strike at any age and can be annoying. Doctors often prescribe steroid creams. However, for many people, the use of steroids has many side effects and is not always successful in treating eczema. Fortunately, there are several other ways you can reduce itching, skin disorders, and dry skin conditions. The use of some natural remedies may improve the appearance and texture of your skin. If your skin doesn't improve or gets worse after natural treatments, consider seeing a doctor.
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Part 1 of 4: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Find out what triggers your eczema
Eczema triggers are different for everyone. One person may be sensitive to wool, while another may be sensitive to the chemicals in perfume. Since everyone's eczema triggers aren't really known, you'll have to find out for yourself. You could try keeping track of what foods you eat during the day, and the changes that occur when you stop eating any of them.
Finding eczema triggers is a bit difficult to do, so many people decide to eat only natural and organic foods. Then they started tossing in common foodstuffs to find out which was triggering the eczema
Step 2. Wear non-irritating clothing
Wear loose clothing whenever possible, and avoid clothing made of fabrics that cause itching, such as wool. Soft-textured fabrics such as cotton, silk, and bamboo are the least irritating to your skin. Also pay attention to the detergent you use. Material left on clothing can trigger eczema. Try using a natural cleaning powder, or switch to another brand of natural laundry soap.
When exercising, wear sportswear designed to keep your skin cool. This way, you won't sweat too much and make your eczema worse
Step 3. Choose non-irritating soaps and shampoos
Irritating ingredients such as soap and laundry soap, shampoo, dish soap, disinfectants, and any product that contains perfume can irritate your skin. Try to use soaps and natural cleaning agents from vegetables instead.
Avoid any products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate and parabens. This compound is found in many cleaning products, and is known to irritate and dry out the skin. Sodium lauryl sulfate can also damage the skin's natural proteins, making the skin more susceptible to external contaminants. Medical research has linked parabens to endocrine disorders, cancer, and problems with the reproductive system
Step 4. Use a humidifier
Dry air in your room and home can exacerbate skin disorders such as eczema, because it can cause the skin to become dehydrated and cracked. You can work around this situation by purchasing an air humidifier that will provide moisture to the air and your skin. A movable humidifier, or a humidifier that can be attached to a heating machine, can be obtained easily in a wide selection of models and prices.
You can also humidify the air in the room without having to buy a humidifier. Indoor plants can naturally increase humidity in the air through the process of transpiration. The Boston fern is one of the most widely used natural humidifiers
Step 5. Keep the house clean and avoid allergens
Allergy-causing substances such as dust mites, pet dander, flower pollen, mold, and dandruff are triggers for eczema. Use a vacuum cleaner with a tight filter, and suck the dirt out of your room frequently.
Try to avoid bacteria, viruses and fungi. You should avoid people who are clearly sick, because they can trigger eczema
Step 6. Reduce stress
Eczema and other skin conditions are closely related to stress, both psychological and physical, so taking time to reduce stress can be very beneficial for you. Try any activity that calms you down: visualization techniques, hypnotherapy, meditation, yoga, listening to music, or painting.
Make time for yourself each day so that you can relax and unwind. While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, stress is known to make it worse
Step 7. Reduce the frequency of bathing, and use warm water (not cold or hot water)
Bathing too often can draw moisture from the skin and make eczema worse. Try to limit the frequency of bathing to once or twice a day, if possible. Avoid water that is too hot or cold, and limit bath time to 15 - 20 minutes at most. Then, use a clean, dry towel to gently dry yourself.
- Be sure to moisturize your skin after showering, especially when your skin is still damp, because then it can retain even more moisture. Use a moisturizer that contains no added ingredients, and is made from coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, avocado, or castor oil. Be aware that these oils tend to be easier for people with eczema to accept, however, not everyone's skin condition is the same, and you may have to experiment to find out which oil works best for you.
- Try not to bathe too long. Sometimes, water can make your skin shrivel. Avoid changing the shape of the skin with eczema, because these changes can make eczema more itchy.
Part 2 of 4: Using Topical Supplements
Step 1. Use aloe vera (aloe vera)
Use aloe vera directly from the plant, rather than buying a ready-made product. Cut the aloe vera leaf, and squeeze the sap out. Apply aloe vera sap to eczema-affected skin, and allow it to absorb. You can store aloe vera leaves in the refrigerator for repeated use. Pure aloe vera is known to have no adverse side effects when used topically, so it is safe to use it as often as needed.
The thick, gel-like sap of aloe vera has been used for thousands of years as a moisturizer and anti-inflammatory drug. Many people have found it useful in the treatment of eczema, because aloe vera can reduce itching and moisturize dry, cracked skin
Step 2. Apply calendula lotion
You can apply calendula lotion generously all over your skin, as it has no side effects when used topically, or you can mix it with aloe vera gel before applying it to your skin. Calendula is a flower whose extract is often used as an ingredient in skin lotions and ointments to reduce pain and inflammation.
Many products that contain calendula, such as soaps, oils, lotions, ointments, and creams are available at most health stores. However, it's best to choose over-the-counter products, as they usually contain higher levels of calendula with fewer irritating additives
Step 3. Use oats
Fill a cotton sock or knee-high nylon sock with organic steel-rolled oats and tie it to your bathtub faucet, letting the water run through the oats. Oats contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties, so they can soothe your skin.
- Try oatmeal pasta. You just need to mix the oatmeal with water to form a paste. Then apply it directly to the eczema on your skin!
- Nettle works the same way and can be used just like oats in the bath. Nettle is believed to block pain and itching signals in the body.
Step 4. Make a chamomile compress
Chamomile is a natural ingredient known to treat eczema, as it is said to relieve itching and soothe inflammation. You can make chamomile tea by steeping dried chamomile flowers in boiling water for about 15 minutes. Then, make a warm compress by soaking a clean cloth in chamomile tea, squeeze out the excess water, then apply the compress to the sore skin for 10-15 minutes.
You can also massage the oil directly into your skin, or add a few drops of chamomile oil to your bath water. However, be aware that some people are allergic to chamomile, so check it on a small area of your skin before using it
Step 5. Use organic coconut oil
Organic cold pressed virgin coconut oil is often used as a moisturizer which is more beneficial for eczema sufferers than commercial cream preparations. You can find coconut oil at organic grocery stores, online, and at certain convenience stores. Apply the oil (which looks like a solid, but will soon melt) on the eczema-affected areas of your body, and let the oil soak in.
Cold pressed means that the coconut oil is made in a low temperature below 47 degrees Celsius, so that all the nutrients, enzymes and minerals in the oil are not damaged
Step 6. Try sweet almond oil
Sweet almond oil is often used in eczema treatments because it contains ursolic and oleic acids, which are believed to reduce inflammation and help restore skin. This oil can be applied generously all over the body as a moisturizer, or it can be applied to the skin before bathing or bathing, providing a layer that protects the skin from the drying effects of hot water.
Step 7. Try lemon
Cut a lemon in half and place it on the skin that has eczema. You should be able to feel the difference. The taste may be slightly pungent, but the lemon will only sting if you scratch the skin. It stings because lemon treats inflammation under your skin, which will occur if the layer of skin beneath your eczema is injured.
Part 3 of 4: Changing Your Diet
Step 1. Improve your diet
Avoid processed foods as much as possible. If you can, choose as natural organic ingredients as you can. In other words, choose fresh fruits and vegetables, cook your own legumes and beans, eat nuts, berries, whole grains, vegetables and fruits as snacks, and reduce the consumption of red meat in your diet.
Be sure to consume oils that contain omega-3s (fish, green leafy vegetables) to keep your skin soft and moisturized
Step 2. Cut back on milk and dairy products
Cow's milk is one of the main triggers for eczema, so you need to cut it out of your diet (at least temporarily) until your skin improves. Cow's milk has a fairly acidic pH, and often contains hormones and chemicals, which can make eczema worse. Try to stop consuming milk for at least two weeks, and see if you feel a difference.
- There are many substitutes for cow's milk, so don't be afraid to drink coffee without milk. Goat, sheep, or buffalo milk is a substitute for cow's milk that you can consider.
- If you want an animal-free substitute, drink soy milk, hazelnut milk, almond milk, oat milk, or starch water.
Step 3. Eliminate gluten from your diet
Wheat is also believed to be the main trigger for eczema. If possible, try to eliminate gluten from your diet, as it may trigger eczema on your skin. Stop eating bread, pasta, cereals, and other foods rich in refined carbohydrates.
Step 4. Practice reducing foods from your diet
Try to keep a record of what foods you eat. Every day, write down everything you eat, and try to be aware of the difference in your eczema symptoms when you eat them. Sometimes, you can feel it right away, or within a few hours. You should be able to identify the pattern of symptoms in certain foods. Then eliminate these foods from your diet for at least 2 weeks (or better still for 4 to 6 weeks) and watch for changes in your skin.
In addition to dairy and wheat products, eczema may also be triggered by soy, eggs, nuts, and seeds. If you notice that these foods aggravate the eczema on your skin, avoid them
Step 5. Take natural supplements
There are many natural supplements that you can use to help relieve eczema symptoms. Some of the best supplement options include:
- Fatty acid: Fatty acids are known to reduce dry skin and reduce inflammation, making it effective for treating eczema. Use omega-3 fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-6 fatty acids can trigger inflammation. One study showed that 1.8 grams of EPA (a compound omega-3 fatty acid) taken daily for 12 weeks was known to reduce eczema.
- Vitamins A, D and E: this vitamin can help restore skin moisture, improve its texture, stimulate collagen production, and protect it from free radicals.
- Gamma linolenic acid: this is a type of fatty acid contained in evening primrose oil, borage oil, and blackcurrant oil. This compound is believed to relieve skin inflammation and improve the balance of lipids in the skin.
Part 4 of 4: Recognizing the Symptoms of Eczema
Step 1. Understand the common symptoms of eczema
Eczema is actually a term for a type of skin condition that is inflamed and irritated. All types of eczema have itching symptoms. Scratching the itchy skin will trigger open sores, thickening and the appearance of scales on the skin as is often the case with atopic dermatitis eczema.
Although the direct cause of dermatitis is unknown, stress is known to make the condition worse. Eczema generally begins to attack in infants and children, although in some people it only appears at the age of 30 years
Step 2. Pay attention to the symptoms in your body
The most common symptoms of eczema are itchy, dry, scaly skin, and a rash on the face, behind the knees, on the inside of the elbows, and on the palms of the hands and feet. In adults, although it only occurs in about 10% of patients with eczema, the rash is often found on the folds of the elbows and knees, and on the nape of the neck.
In infants, eczema usually causes a rash on the scalp (scalp crusts) and face (especially on the cheeks), and can begin as early as 2 to 3 months of age. In children between the ages of 2 and puberty, the rash is usually found in the creases of the elbows and/or behind the knees
Step 3. Determine the type of eczema you have
Although inflammation and itching are common symptoms of eczema, you can differentiate between types of eczema based on where the inflammation occurs.
- If you have allergic or contact eczema, this condition is caused by contact with a compound. You will notice inflammation in the layers of skin that come into contact with clothing, jewelry, or certain compounds.
- If you notice that you have eczema on your palms and soles, or you have clear fluid-filled bubbles on your skin, you may have dyshidrotic eczema.
- If your skin is cracked larger than the size of a coin, or is inflamed, especially in the arms, lower legs, and buttocks, you have nummular eczema.
- If your scalp and face turn yellowish, oily, or scaly, you most likely have seborrheic dermatitis.
Tips
- Do not give up easily. You will not be able to fight eczema without persistent effort. Lazy, giving up easily, or saying, "I won't be able to get over my eczema, no matter what!" will not help your business.
- Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) contained in evening primrose, borage, and black currant oils is known to be beneficial in relieving the symptoms of eczema.
- Sleep regularly. If you have trouble sleeping, try taking a bath beforehand, making sure your bedroom is cool and dark, and turning off all electronics an hour before bed.
- Try other approaches, including acupuncture, Ayurvedic medicine, herbs, and homeopathy. If you choose to use Ayurvedic or homeopathic remedies, be prepared to face questions that you think are not related to eczema. Both homeopathic and Ayurvedic medicine are based on completely different philosophies and approaches than any other medicine, but know that Ayurvedic medicine has been around for thousands of years, and homeopathic medicine has been around for hundreds of years. Some of the suggestions are certainly helpful!
- If you have severe eczema on your hands, buy cotton gloves. After applying a little coconut oil on your hands, put on the gloves, and wear them for about 1 hour, and then take them off for 1 hour. Apply lotion every time you take off your gloves.
- Consider getting an allergy test. While allergy testing is often quite expensive, you can find out what food, animal, carpet, or even tree is causing your eczema.
- Try steaming lavender oil; This oil has soothing properties if you have trouble sleeping due to eczema.
- If you don't have a humidifier, you can replace it by spraying water into the room.
- Make sure you visit a certified acupuncturist if you are considering this.
- Use an unscented lotion to avoid irritation. Gold Bond aloe vera lotion is very effective.
- You can also use an oat-based lotion, called Aveeno. Try using it every day and often to see the effect.
Warning
- While stopping consumption of dairy or dairy products can relieve eczema symptoms, you need to replace them with other sources of calcium and vitamin D. Options you can consider are green leafy vegetables such as kale or almonds, or soy milk. One great option is to take calcium supplements. Consider the good and the bad for you.
- Try not to scratch the eczema on your skin, as this can cause severe inflammation.
