What is eczema?
Eczema is a condition in which the skin becomes inflamed ,cracked and itchy . It can also be rough .However , in some cases it may also blisters.
Eczema is the name used to describe atopic dermatitis by many people . 'Atopic' means conditions that are related to impaired immune system, and 'dermatitis' means skin inflammation. Hence, in simple words it is inflammation of the skin.
Eczema is like an allergy , it is triggered when you eat certain food or with environmental factors. Certain foods such as nuts and dairy and environmental factors such as smoke, pollen, soaps etc. It is not contagious as it is inflammatory condition.
Some people have this allergy when they are young and may outgrow it as they grow up. However, some people develop it in later stages of life.
Symptoms of eczema:
Atopic dermatitis or eczema expresses differently in different people with respect to their age.
Eczema is common in infants. It shows as dry skin, scaly patches on the skin and extreme itchiness.
Most of the eczema cases are mild and have these symptoms:
- Dry skin with scales
- Redness on the skin
- Crusted ,open or seeping sores that can be painful
You should not rub your skin or scratch your skin. This might lead to skin infections which is severe than eczema.
People who have high melanin content i.e. dark skinned people experience different symptoms.
The symptoms can worsen sometimes or sometimes they can also clear up. The adults and children experience different symptoms.
Symptoms of eczema in children :
- Rashes behind elbows and and knees.
- Rashes on neck, wrists ,ankles, crease of buttocks and legs.
- There can be rashes with bumps
- The rashes could become lighter or darker
Lichenification can also occur . It means the skin becomes thick and proceeds into a permanent itch.
Symptoms in adults:
- Rashes more scaly than children.
- Rashes in creases of elbows and knees and nape of the neck.
- Very dry skin
- Rashes that don't go away ever.
- Skin infections.
Adults who don't have eczema but had it when they were little still have dry skin and eyes and constant irritation of skin and eyes. The itching may also reoccur and become worse.
Causes of eczema :
Eczema is a skin condition which develops with inappropriate immune response by the body.
It is a immunological disorder and is similar to allergy . The triggers can be some foods or environmental factors . It is same as in hay fever and asthma . The exact cause of why it happens is yet unknown.
Home remedies for eczema :
There are no remedies that could stop the inflammatory response . However, we can ease the itching of the skin and moisturize the dry skin too. Nowadays people use creams that can manage these eczema flares. Especially in winters the eczema flares worsen because of the dry air.
Natural substances that can moisturize your dry skin can be used , eg; Coconut oil. They may also help to reduce inflammation and swelling of skin due to inflammation.
This articles discusses some easy and efficient home remedies against eczema flares . These home remedies can help you manage redness and itching associated with eczema.
Aloe Vera gel for eczema:
Aloe Vera gel has been used for ages for its activity on the skin and scalp. It also has a cooling effect, moisturizing effect and soothes your skin. The gel also has the following properties:
- antibacterial
- antimicrobial
- immune boosting activity
- wound healing .
The anti bacterial and anti microbial effects helps reduce the risk of skin infections associated with eczema.
Procedure:
Take a coin size amount of aloe Vera gel on your hands and apply directly over your inflamed, dry and scaly skin .
Aloe Vera gel is easily available anywhere . Try not to take aloe gel with the following additives: Alcohol, fragrances, preservatives and artificial colors.
You should start with a small amount of gel. Sometimes, aloe Vera gel produces a burning sensation on the skin. However, it is safest for children . It has no side effects .
Apple cider vinegar(ACV )
Apple cider vinegar is used for almost all conditions, including for skin conditions. The national eczema association has recommended ACV for Eczema . However, you should be careful with the concentration as it may cause damage to the skin. There is no research on its effectivity . However, it could help in treatment of eczema in the following way:
It balances skin acidity:
We know that our skin is acidic in nature. However, people with eczema have skin with low acidity. This weakens the skins defense system. Hence , to restore the lost acidity, we can use dilute ACV. Be sure to use dilute vinegar as strong vinegar will cause more irritation than usual.
In contrast, the soaps are having basic nature. So it will disrupt the acidic nature of the skin. Hence, it is self explanatory why basic soaps and detergents can trigger eczema.
Anti bacterial:
ACV has antibacterial effect on the skin. It has shown to kill E.coli bacteria. Hence , it may help to reduce skin infections that may occur due to cracks in the skin.
Procedure:
Dilute 1 tbsp. of ACV in 1 cup warm water. Dip a cotton in this and apply it on the eczema flares. Cover the dressing in cotton fabric and keep it for 3 hours. You can also add 2 cups of ACV to a bucket of water and have a bath .
Moisturize immediately after the bath.
Bleach for eczema:
Yes I know it sounds dangerous! However, if you dilute bleach in water and have a bath , it helps in conquering skin infections associated with eczema. This is because bleach is a very effective anti microbial. It kills the bacteria on the skin surface. It is very effective in treatment of eczema.
In 2015 , it was concluded in a review that bleach baths any actually prevent worsening of skin conditions . It may also reduce the need to take antibiotics.
Procedure:
Add 1/2 cup bleach to a tub of water or you can measure as 1tsp. in one gallon of water.
Pour in bleach while the water is filled . Soak in the bleach water for 5 minutes. Rinse body with warm water.
Use moisturizer immediately to avoid drying . It is important that you use lukewarm water to prevent drying.
Colloidal oatmeal:
Colloidal oatmeal is prepared by boiling ground oatmeal as it has skin healing property. The colloidal oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and anti oxidant property. It improves eczema as it fights skin dryness, scaling , roughness and itch intensity. Use colloidal oatmeal in your bath . Choose a variety of colloidal oatmeal powder which has no fragrance and additives. It is safe for all age groups but people allergic to oats should avoid it.
Bathing everyday:
People with eczema should have a bath everyday to avoid infections from spreading to the entire body. Hygiene is very important and carelessness in the same will lead to aggravation of symptoms.
- You should follow these to ease eczema:
- Use warm water for bath. not too cold or hot.
- Avoid highly basic , fragrance containing soaps.
- Moisturize without fail after bathing.
- Do not scrub.
However, you should not bathe more than necessary. Babies and children living in temperate climates should bathe only twice a week.
Coconut oil:
coconut oil is very good in saturated fatty acids. It soothes the itching of skin in eczema. Virgin coconut oil also fights inflammation and heals the skin. A study was conducted for use of coconut oil in eczema. The children wo used coconut oil daily had improved the condition than the children who used mineral oil.
Apply coconut oil directly on the skin and flares. You can use it before or after the bath to ease inflammation and to moisturize.
However, it is not suggested for eczema in people having allergy to coconut.
Honey:
Honey is packed with nutrients . It eases inflammation and heals wounds . Moreover it has been used for centuries. Honey can help heal wounds and also boosts immune function .
Tea tree oil:
In 2013 review , tea tree oil was identified as anti inflammatory, anti bacterial and wound healing . Hence it is the best home remedy for eczema . This means that it treats inflammation and dry skin.
Mix tea tree oil with coconut oil and apply on the skin.
Extra Tips :
These home remedies will ease you with eczema . Moreover, if you incorporate these simple tips in your life , you will experience relief and the condition might improve too.
- Use warm water for bathing
- Avoid soaps that are very basic . Try natural oil soaps made from coconut oil .
- Wash your clothes daily. Use detergent which has very less fragrance and which is very mild. Try using detergent free cleanser.
- Avoid exposing your skin to strong heating sources like furnace or fireplace as it dehydrates the skin.
- Wrap yourself up in cold or windy weather with a sweater or overcoat.
Conclusion:
Although there is no permanent cure for eczema, these remedies will help you ease pain and itching. Moreover, they will help worsening of skin condition further. They are very efficient in treatment of eczema .You should try these remedies for relief and live a fulfilling life.
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