Do you or someone you love suffer with eczema? Have you tried any natural eczema treatments?
There are a lot of things that you can do to treat eczema. Sometimes a change of diet will help and there are plenty of creams on the market that claim to be the next great eczema cure. But what about home remedies for eczema? Do they work?
You are not going to cure eczema by using these natural remedies. Buying creams will not cure it either. What these natural remedies for eczema will do for you, is prevent flares and help you to manage your eczema symptoms.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
You may have heard that apple cider vinegar is a good way to naturally treat a number of skin disorders and you would be right. There are two main reasons why apple cider vinegar works well and could be the natural eczema treatment for you:
It Can Help Fight Bacteria
There have been a number of studies that concluded apple cider vinegar could help to fight bacteria. This includes Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Eczema sufferers will have broken skin and this can lead to infection. The application of apple cider vinegar could help to prevent this.
Balance Acidity Levels in your Skin
Your skin is naturally acidic and so is vinegar. But if you suffer from eczema then it is likely that your skin will be less acidic than normal. If this happens then it can weaken the defenses that your skin has.
By applying diluted apple cider vinegar to your skin you can help to balance its acidity levels. A detergent or soap and general skin cleaners are alkaline. If you use these too much you can certainly upset your skin balance which can cause you problems.
Application
Always be sure to dilute apple cider vinegar before you apply it to your skin as it is an acid and can cause burns. You can use apple cider vinegar in the bath or in wet wraps. If you want to use it in your bath then add 2 cups to your warm bath water and soak for around 20 minutes. Be sure to rinse thoroughly afterwards and moisturize.
The wet wrap solution requires that you mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of warm water. You then need to apply the mixture to gauze or cotton and then cover this with clean cotton fabric. Apply to the affected area for a minimum of 3 hours.
2. Aloe Vera Gel
One of the most popular home remedies for eczema is the use of aloe vera gel. For centuries people have used it as a treatment for a variety of ailments. It will really help to soothe your eczema symptoms.
In a 2015 review researchers examined aloe vera in relation to its benefits to human health. They concluded that aloe vera gel has a number of beneficial properties:
* Healing of wounds
* Antibacterial
* Boosting of the immune system
* Antimicrobial
The antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of aloe vera gel are very likely to help to prevent infections of the skin. Eczema sufferers often have cracked and dry skin and applying the gel offers protection. Aloe vera gel also has the ability to heal wounds and should help to soothe any broken skin.
Applying the Aloe Vera
There are a number of places where you can purchase aloe vera gel such as local health stores or online stores. You can even use gel from the leaves of an aloe vera plant. Avoid products that contain alcohol, preservatives, colors and fragrances as these can cause your eczema to flare.
Always test a small amount on your skin first to see if there are any sensitivity problems. In a small number of cases aloe vera can sting or burn but usually it is safe to use for adults and children.
3. Bleach Bath
Taking a bath with bleach in it may sound horrific to you but there is some evidence to suggest that it is an effective natural eczema treatment because of its anti inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
A bleach bath can reduce the requirement for other topical antibacterial treatments as it can kill skin surface bacteria such as S. aureus. It is possible that using bleach in your bath can restore the microbiome of your skin’s surface.
How to Use
It is very important that you do not use too much bleach in your bath. For a full tub of bath water you only need to add a cup of bleach. Add the bleach when the bath is filling up for an even distribution. Soak in the bath for no longer than 10 minutes and then thoroughly rinse your entire body with warm water.
If you suffer from asthma or any other respiratory problems then do not add bleach to your bath because of the strong fumes. If you experience any irritation, discomfort or redness then do not take any more bleach baths.
4. Coconut Oil
There are a number of health fatty acids in coconut oil which will moisturize your skin and can help treat eczema. Using virgin coconut oil can help to protect your skin by strengthening the skin barrier and fighting inflammation.
In a clinical trial, researchers applied virgin coconut oil to children’s skin. They found that doing this for 8 weeks helped to improve eczema symptoms better than using other treatments such as mineral oil.
Using Coconut Oil
You can purchase extra virgin coconut oil in stores or online and at room temperature it is solid. When you apply it to your skin the heat of your body converts it to a liquid. Apply to your skin after you have bathed and you can apply it before you go to sleep at night. If you have an allergy to coconuts then do not use coconut oil.
5. Tea Tree Oil
A number of eczema sufferers use tea tree oil as a natural treatment. In a review the researchers concluded that tea tree oil has wound healing, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. What makes it one of the most popular home remedies for eczema is that it can provide relief from itching and dry skin.
How to Apply Tea Tree Oil
With any essential oils you will need to dilute them before applying them to your skin. Some people mix the tea tree oil with olive oil or almond oil before applying it. You can purchase diluted tea tree oil products.
Alternative Eczema Treatment Approach
Another option you might consider is an Elimination Diet for Eczema. Something in your diet could be causing your eczema to flare up and the best way to determine if a food allergy is at fault is an elimination diet.
Try Our Natural Soap To Soothe Eczema Flare-ups
If you have sensitive skin or are simply looking for a new soap to fall in love with, check out our Honey Eczema Soap bar. Suitable for sensitive skin and those with eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions. With a subtle natural honey fragrance, this natural bar of soap will exfoliate and cleanse your skin, leaving your natural oils in tact.