What are some quick home-remedies for eczema?

Eczema also referred to as dermatitis is a very common skin ailment that affects a large number of people worldwide. There are different kinds of eczema, for example; discoid eczema, varicose eczema, adult seborrhoeic eczema, infantile seborrhoeic eczema, irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis and atopic eczema are various forms of this condition. Symptoms of this condition include; flaky and dry skin, inflammation, tiny bumps on the cheek, neck and forehead, thickened and rough skin, itching and redness of skin. The flaky, itchy, red skin that is seen in this condition is caused due to an inflammatory response, by the person's skin, to environmental and physical irritants. Eczema is normally seen on the upper chest, face, neck, arms, wrists and hands.

Generally our skin acts as a barrier, protecting us against various infections and diseases. However when an individual suffers form eczema, this protection tends to get compromised due to an oversensitivity to certain external irritants or triggers. This oversensitivity leads to a negative immune response, which then results in an eczema reaction. Eczema is thus caused by certain triggers to physical and environmental irritants. Here are a few home remedies that can help in keeping this condition under control. Warm a teaspoon of coconut oil for a few seconds on a slow fire, once the oils cools massage it gently on to the affected area. This should be done 2-3 times a day as it will help in softening the skin. Vitamin E oil is also very beneficial for this condition. Empty the contents of a vitamin E capsule into a bowl. Now massage a few drops of this oil onto the rash. This should be done on a regular basis at bedtime; it is known to keep the condition under control.

Applying a light mudpack on the affected area is also known to work well for this condition. This can be done once or twice a week depending on the severity of the rash. Cold fomentations or cold compress when applied to the affected area has also been found to be beneficial for this particular condition. Take a handful of almond leaves and grind them into a thin paste. This should then be applied on to the concerned area for about 30 minutes. This remedy has to be performed regularly in order to keep this ailment under control. Witch hazel when applied on to the itchy rash has also been found to be effective.

answered by G M

Eczema is a common term that describes a variety of skin disorders. Usually, the most common eczema condition is called atopic dermatitis. However, besides atopic dermatitis, there can be several other types of eczema as well - such as contact dermatitis, xerotic eczema, seborrheic eczema, and several other less common types. The usual symptoms of eczema are inflammation, itchiness, and swollen skin. In severe cases, the skin may also have rashes, blisters, and bleeding or oozing wounds. Although any part of the body can be affected by eczema the skin on the face, neck, elbows, knees, and ankles are usually found to be more commonly affected.

The cause of eczema is still not completely understood. Usually, it is caused by a disorder of the immune system. Eczema can also caused due to hereditary factors. There are several other things - woolen or synthetic clothes, cosmetics, jewelries, soaps, detergents, and even external weather conditions - that can act as a trigger to eczema.

There are no full-proof cures for eczema but you can take necessary precautions to prevent to certain extent. You should avoid all irritants that your skin is allergic to, which includes foods and beverages. Spicy and oily foods should be avoided as far as possible. You should also cut down on foods with high mineral content (for example, ginger and onion). Certain fruits, nuts, and vegetables can also act as a trigger and they should be identified and removed from your diet. You should also ensure that you keep your skin properly moisturized because dry skin is more susceptible to eczema. As far as possible, avoid scratching the skin so that the condition does not deteriorate further. You should trim your nails to keep them short and wear gloves at night so that you do not accidentally damage your skin by scratching. Also, avoid synthetic, woolen, rough, or ill-fitting clothes; wear soft cotton clothes as far as possible.

Here are a few home remedies that you can try out to treat eczema symptoms. These are not exactly cures, but may help you manage the symptoms in a better way.

• Apply an anti-itch or calamine lotion on the affected skin to get some relief from the itch. There are easily available over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams that can help relieve the itch temporarily.
• Apply cold treatment - take a cold water bath or apply an ice pack on the affected area. In the bath water you can add baking soda and fine uncooked oatmeal powder for better benefit. For cold compress, if an ice pack is unavailable, you can also use a cloth dipped in chilled water. Such cold treatment will help soothe the skin, reduce swelling, and provide relief from the itch.
• Make a thick paste by mixing turmeric power in boiling water. Let the paste cool down and then apply it on the affected area. Wash off the skin after the paste has dried up completely.

answered by M W

Home cures for eczema

Eczema or atopic dermatitis refers to a chronic skin condition characterised by inflammation of skin which leads to the formation of pustules on the skin which often discharge a clear fluid. Symptoms include itching, redness and dryness, especially on hands, arms, wrists, neck, face, upper chest and the back of the knees. Eczema can be caused by allergies - often eggs, orange juice and milk are the main culprits, especially among children. Other causes include varicose veins, a poor body metabolism, failure of the body to cleanse itself of the toxins, nutritional deficiencies or even extremely cold and dry weather. A disease of the constitution, eczema is usually more severe in childhood but improves in adulthood.

Regular application of coconut oil to the eczema affected areas helps to keep the skin soft and prevents redness and itching. A light mudpack of a pack made with 1tsp of camphor powder and 1 tsp sandalwood powder and rose water applied to the affected area helps to cure eczema. Another effective paste can be made with 1 tbsp of turmeric powder and 1 tbsp of margosa leaves. The antiseptic nature of the ingredients helps to heal the itching and keeps infections at bay. Add 50 grams of fresh margosa leaves to 200 grams of boiling mustard oil and boil till the oil becomes black. Cool and sieve this oil and apply it 4 times a day till the skin is healed. Regular application of this oil ensures that the condition does not recur. Avoid using soaps and other drying agents or chemicals. Substitute your soap with oatmeal for taking a bath and add a few drops of witch hazel to your bath water which should be neither too hot nor too cold.

answered by G M

Natural cures

Eczema is essentially a skin condition that results in inflammation, itching, and dryness of the skin, but the causes range from allergies to diet to lifestyle to heredity. Treatment therefore varies to some extent, depending on the cause. If you can identify the cause of your eczema, you will be more successful in treating it. Dietary causes, for example, can quite easily be tackled by making a few changes in your diet. Identifying the cause is not easy however, so you will probably need to consult your doctor.

Apart from this, one of the most useful measures to fight eczema is to keep the skin moisturized. This solves the problem of dryness of course, but can also ease the itching and inflammation to some extent. Use a thick, greasy moisturizing lotion or cream, and apply it immediately after bathing, when your skin is still damp, so that you are able to trap more moisture in your skin. Another point to note is to avoid using any strong or harsh skin products, including soap, as they tend to aggravate the problem. Clothes made of synthetic materials also tend to irritate the skin, so as far as possible, wear cotton. Finally, as with any itch, avoid scratching, as this only worsens the itch and adds the risk of infection.

answered by G R