Home Remedies for Eczema

After spending hours researching this skin disease and pouring over hundreds of comments from eczema sufferers, I have compiled the following information and home remedies for you! It is my sincere hope that one of this helpful tips will help you with your condition. The term Eczema derives from a Greek word, meaning ‘to boil’. It refers to an inflammation of the skin, which results in there formation of pustules on the skin from which sometimes there is a discharge of clear fluid. It is the most chronic skin disorder. It is a constitutional disease, resulting from a toxic condition of the system. Most serious during infancy, but often improves by early adulthood. Primarily it causes itching, redness, dryness and flakiness of the skin. This is often referred as ‘atopic dermatitis’. It most commonly appears on the hands, wrists, arms, neck, face, upper chest, back of the knees and has been known to appear on top of the head. However, this is not a contagious disease. Most common causes of eczema are: allergies, varicose veins, failure of the body to excrete poisons, faulty metabolism, cold/dry weather, nutritional deficiencies and has been linked to fibromyalgia. Suggested home remedies: 1. Coconut oil, helps the skin to remain soft. 2. A light mudpack applied on the affected area can be very beneficial. 3. Sunbathing can be beneficial as it kills the harmful bacteria, however it does not work for everyone and has seen more positive results on those who are beginning to heal. 4. Make a fine paste of 1tsp of camphor and 1 tsp of sandalwood. Apply to the affected area. 5. Water treatments have been proved useful. Apply a cold compress to the affected area twice a day. However, avoid hot water, as this has been proven to cause even more dryness. 6. Make a fine paste of 1Tbls of turmeric powder and 1 Tbls of bitter neem leaves. Apply to the affected area. 7. Rub nutmeg against a smooth stone with a few drops of water. Make a smooth paste and apply to the affected area. 8. Make a smooth paste out of cornstarch and a few drops of water. Apply to the affected area. 9. Apply a spearmint leaf to the affected area, this may reduce the eczema. 10. Boil 200 grams of mustard oil in an iron pot. While boiling, add 50 grams of fresh, clean, neem leaves. When the leaves turn black, turn off the heat and allow to cool and sieve (strain) the liquid. Apply this oil 4 times a day to the affected area. Some say that if you continue to do this for a year, the eczema did not return. 11. Mash papaya seeds and apply to the affected area to prevent itching. 12. Native Americans used witch hazel for inflammatory skin conditions. Dab some on the affected area several times a day with a cotton ball. 13. Herbal soap for eczema: Grate one large block of olive or vegetable oil soap into a basin and add 25 grams of finely chopped herbs such as peppermint leaves, add a few drops of essential oils and 1 Tbls of finely ground oatmeal. Heat gently until melted and mix well. Take any type of mould or card board egg container (line with wax paper first) and pour the soap mixture in it. You can use this on your face as well. 14. Apply lemon juice to the affected area and allow to dry before going to bed. Leave on overnight. It helps the skin to heal. This can dry the area and promote healing. It acts as an antiseptic if the area is inflamed. 15. Put 2 Cups of cheap instant oatmeal and 1 Cup of powdered milk into a cheese cloth bag and bathe in it. 16. Use glycerin soap for bathing. 17. Swimming in chlorinated water seems to help. It burns a little at first but can do wonders to your skin. It also helps if you add about a capful of bleach to your bath water. (unscented). Some doctors recommend this for treatment. 18. Mix Vaseline and Lubriderm lotion, has been said to work wonders with some patients. 19. Drink fresh ginger tea and lots of water. Wear loose cotton clothes. 20. Toothpaste applied to the affected areas has also seemed to help some patients. Apply to the affected areas before going to bed and leave on overnight. However, this treatment does burn and hurt. But, the morning after the application, the patient was free of pain and the affected area was clear and dry. 21. Eczema is an external symptom to and internal problem. Take a daily regimen of fish oil, lots of water, coconut oil on the affected areas and good probiotics (such as In-liven). 22. Change your laundry soap, bath soap and dish soap. Arm & Hammer laundry soap, Dial bath soap (original), & Dawn dish soap have seen positive results for helping prevent eczema flair ups. Apply baby oil after bathing to help with dryness. 23. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil into a container of petroleum jelly or camphor cream. Apply to the affected area. 24. Some patients say that Ionic Colloidal Silver water has worked wonders. Drink 2 liters a day and apply to affected areas. 25. Tea tree oil is an anti-fungal, anti-itch and healing agent. 26. Luke warm bath with Chamomile. 27. Apply pure aloe gel (keep it in the refrigerator, the cold helps) to sensitive facial areas such as your eye lids. 28. Keeping a humidifier in the home, especially during the dry months may help. 29. Goat milk soap has been proven in some cases to completely dry up the affected areas. 30. Vaseline helps if you apply it before bedtime. 31. Purex natural laundry soap has helped others. Try running the wash cycle with rising one extra time, this seems to help as well. 32. Have your PH level checked. Buy a PH strip test at your local whole foods store to test your acidity level. If you are very acidic, start taking pH drops and supplements. Patients that had a high acidic level seen immediate results. 33. Mangosteen juice applied topically and orally has been shown to keep eczema at bay. Drink one ounce per day and apply to the affected area. 34. Vitamin B -12 shots have seen some positive results in patients. 35. Give up dairy products, in 2 weeks you should see positive results. 36. Mix a capful of apple cider vinegar, juice of half a lemon, and a spoonful of honey. Drink this daily after brushing your teeth. (it will cause your enamel to soften). 37. Oat milk is famously good for your skin (eczema or not). Not only does it soothe the area but it detoxifies it as well. Put a fist full of porridge oats in an old stocking and hang it under your tap while drawing your bath. 38. Jojoba oil works miracles as a lotion. 39. Mix aquaphor ointment with aveeno and eucerin lotion, this is a very helpful moisturizing lotion. Apply everyday to prevent flair-ups. 40. Have an allergy test done. This can help you avoid foods that cause flair-ups. 41. Mix a moisturizing cream with green tea+lime, toothpaste, salt and a little bit of water and lemon juice. This mixture will not get rid of the redness but it will stop the itch for a few hours. 42. Avocado applied directly to the affected area and left on for 30 minutes has been shown to be an effective remedy. Peel one avocado, use the green part that is attached to the peeling for an external eczema treatment. Eat the rest for an internal treatment. It will keep in a sealed bag in the refrigerator for additional treatments. Scrape the green part from the peeling, mash it with a fork until it is a smooth paste. Apply it like a thick mask to the affected areas, or all over the face for a great facial. After 30 minutes, use luke warm water on your fingers or soft cloth to gently rub the avocado paste into the skin, as you would apply lotion. Rinse or gently wipe off the remaining paste with luke warm water and allow the skin to air dry. Avocado is rich in natural oils (the good kind) and it will leave the skin soft from its natural moisturizers. Use daily for best results in treating eczema breakouts or 3 times a week for regular facials. It is safe to use around your eyes and can reduce fine lines and wrinkles. 43. Primrose oil works for some patients, as it can stop the itching. Take 4 in the a.m. and 4 in the p.m. before bedtime. Primrose oil is a natural supplement oil capsule available at your local drug store. 44. Emu oil has been shown to be effective as well. When applied, it has helped heal the open cracks. Put on the affected areas before bed time. 45. Some say hat Sudocrem and hydrocortisone cream mixed has helped. 46. “Bag Balm” has been said to work wonders even for your cracked hands. It comes in a green metal container and sold practically everywhere (Walgreens, Walmart, etc). Apply to your hands/feet before bedtime and then put on gloves or socks. Some say they are now eczema free. 47. Mix flax seed oil and castor oil together and apply to the affected area. 48. When using cleaning agents such as dish and laundry soaps or even your shampoo (if it contains SLS), use gloves to prevent flair-ups. 49. Apply neem oil to the affected areas. 50. Apply almond oil to the affected areas. 51. Use Eucerin on the affected areas and wear cotton gloves. 52. Bio oil has been said to work wonders. Take a cool bath first the apply. 53. Evening primrose tablets are all natural, they are made from and a flower and it has been shown to clear up eczema. After a months application, the affected areas were clear in some cases. 54. Tiger Balm works wonders. Just wet the skin with water and apply Tiger Balm to the affected areas. 55. Some sufferers recommend staying away from cortisone creams. It’s a quick fix, but often the problem is from within. Be careful in what remedies you choose, your skin is like your 3rd kidney, it filters all the impurities in our body and lifestyle. 56. Johnson baby powder may stop the itch. Use after bathing. Apply cocoa butter lotion to moisturize. 57. Basis soap for sensitive skin has helped many. Use daily in your bathing routine. Can be used on your face as well. 58. For wet eczema, things that can cause irritation are coffee, nicotine, sweat, pollen, dry wall and excessive dust. Things that may help get rid of the problem are water based fruits and vegetables. (Water melon, celery, cucumber, lettuce). 59. Evening Primrose Oil prevents pimples, helps eczema, and prevents PMS. 60. Some patients have removed soy products from their diet as well. It has been found to be in nearly 80% of the products we eat in the US. Soybean, Soy oil, Soy lectin, etc. Read what is in the foods you plan to use. One sufferer cut back on their soy intact and seen positive results in less than a week. This is not a cure, but it does stop the itching. 61. Try taking Zinc tablets. These can be found at your local vitamin/health foods store. 62. Gentle Naturals Eczema cream has worked well for itching/burning. 63. Omega 3 fish oil supplements or put a little cod liver oil into your food. 64. Try drinking half your body weight in ounces of water everyday. Has been found to be effective on your skin and easy on your pocket book. 65. Dab 100% honey on the affected areas, it get (hopefully) immediate relief from the itch. 66. Fresh aloe Vera has been very effective in most cases. Apply directly to the affected area, allow to air dry. 67. If taking a chlorine bath or swimming in a chlorinated pool does not help with your eczema, you may want to try taking salt baths or if your lucky enough to live close to the ocean, take a dip in the water daily. 68. Apply Caroline’s Cream to the affected areas and Johnson’s Soothing Naturals to hydrate. 69. Hemp Cream, can be purchased in most body shops, and has been effective in moisturizing your skin and keeping the itching at bay. 70. Magnesium is good for children with eczema, especially if they have type B blood. 71. Rubbing alcohol on your scalp for a week has been shown to improve eczema breakouts. However you must continue use or it will come back. 72. Prim rose oil and a coating of Shea butter to the affected areas. 73. One treatment recommended is wet wraps. Take a shower, apply your creams, then take a wet shirt or cloth wherever you have eczema and put the cloth on that area. The cloth must be wet. On top of the wet cloth, place a dry cloth and go to bed. Best if done at night. 74. Ask your GP about Viscopaste wet bandages. Put a cream on your affected areas, then wrap around the Viscopaste wet bandages that have been soaked in cream. Put on a dry bandage over it and keep it on for as many hours as possible or over night. It has been shown to have great results when you can keep this on all day and all night, as you will feel a big difference when you take them off. You can use them as frequent as you like. 75. Try a homeopathic remedy called Urtica Urens. You can buy it online at Helios pharmacy. Recommended dosage is 4g tablets at 30 potency. These are herbal, so they can be taken for the long term. Try 1 a day and take no more than 2 per day. 76. Ask your local vitamin/health food store about shampoo with coal tar. If you wash your hand with it, it seems to help with the itching. Be sure to leave on for 3-4 minutes before rinsing off in cool water. 77. Milk of Magnesia kept cold has been wonders to some sufferers. Apply where needed. It cools the itch and although it doesn’t cure the eczema, it seems to help the itchy spells. 78. There is a lotion made by Aveeno that is designed to help with stress. One sufferer exclaims that as soon as she started using this lotion, her eczema began to fade away. She also tried Derma rest, and swears it is the most amazing remedy ever. Every time she had a flair-up, or when her skin began to feel dry or irritated, she would put the lotion of the affected area and with a day or two the break out was gone. Apply lotion before bedtime or right after bathing. 79. Burt’s Bee’s Peppermint Soap has shown amazing results in many sufferers. 80. Pine tar soap has also been recommended. 81. One sufferer recommends whole milk. Soak eczema in vitamin D whole milk for about 10 minutes or as long as desired. Allow the area to air dry and do not wash off. Keep the area as dry as possible. The lactic acid in the milk removes the dead skin cells on top revealing the new skin and makes the skin more flexible. The fat in the milk helps to moisturize. Also, it will stop the itching. 82. A 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water has been shown to be beneficial. Dab the affected area with a cotton ball soaked in the solution once in the morning and before bedtime. It does sting and does cause the affected area to itch and burn. However, after the pain subsides, healing often begins. 83. Suave Natural Oatmeal lotion put on the affected areas when waking up, after bathing and anytime you get wet, has been effective in some cases. 84. If you find that you breakout with small pustules that ooze (kind of like poison ivy), drying agents work the best. Soaking the affected area in white vinegar seems to help along with an anti-histamine tablet before going to bed can help prevent scratching during the night. 85. Grape Fruit Seed Extract seems to work well for eczema. Needs to be diluted, follow the instructions on the bottle. 86. One sufferer found a chiropractor who not only adjusted their body to relieve the nervous system, the doctor started him on a diet of pro-biotics, omega fatty acids and removed dairy and sugars from his diet. 87. Mix Benedryl extra strength cream with vagicaine cream. Squeeze out two separate lines of each product on the affected area (such as your hands), mix them together and smooth over the rash. The Benedryl stops the itching and the vagicaine numbs. However, be prepared for burning. 88. Put lemon juice over the affected areas, allow to air dry and rub tea tree oil in. Some patients exclaim that this has worked wonders. 89. Rocky Mountain Soap’s “Pumpkin Patch Soap & Body Butter Stick” has helped many. It’s 100% natural, and within a week of application the affected areas began to clear up. I hope this information can be helpful in treating your eczema breakouts. I did not know much about this before I began my research. It is my sincere hope that all sufferers can be healed of this terrible condition. I did learn that I want to try out the avocado paste to help with fine lines and wrinkles. Many other tips seem very helpful for dry/chapped skin. I pray that one or many of these tips help relieve your pain and suffering.