Many people are searching for effective eczema treatments that will help reduce the redness and itching. If you too are searching for some remedies for treating eczema, then read on.
There are over 15 million Americans, who search for eczema treatment that will help them cure this skin disease. Eczema is a skin condition that causes irritation in the skin and the affected area become swollen and itchy. There are many different types of eczema like atopic dermatitis, hand dermatitis, nummular dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis. You will be surprised to know that diaper rash and rash due to poison ivy are also types of eczema. Eczema is a persistent skin condition that is characterized by dryness and frequent skin rashes. In this HealthHearty article, we shall learn a few home remedies for eczema that will help you find some relief from this skin condition.
Home Treatments for Eczema
Eczema is classified according to its location like hand eczema, appearance like eczema craquele and cause like varicose eczema. Many people use the term actopic eczema interchangeably as a synonym for eczema. Unfortunately, there is no known eczema cure and the treatment mainly helps in controlling the symptoms. Let us look at some remedies that you can try on how to cure eczema.
The eczema skin treatment includes frequent bathing and keeping the skin hydrated, as the skin is prone to dryness in such conditions. You should apply liberal amounts of eczema cream like moisturizing creams and lubricants like Eucerin, Nivea, Lubiderm, etc. You should apply steroid creams that help reduce the flare ups. Even when you are not experiencing flare-ups, continue dabbing liberal amounts of moisturizing lotions. The lotions should be applied to the skin immediately after a bath and application of steroid creams. This helps trapping moisture and prevents drying up of skin. You should concentrate on eczema treatment creams, moisturizing creams and lubricants over moisturizing lotions, as the former are more effective in keeping the skin moisturized.
Steroid Creams for Eczema Treatment
The best treatment in case of flare ups are steroid creams that should be applied right after taking a bath. You should apply the steroid cream, as often as advised by the doctor till the flare up begins to subside. Reduce the application frequency as the flare ups reduce and stop once they are gone. You should avoid applying the steroid cream on the face and diaper area in case of eczema in infants and use 1% hydrocortisone for these areas.
Bath for 15 to 20 minutes to help reduce the itchiness and keep the skin hydrated. You should use a mild soap that does not dry your skin and avoid scrubbing yourself vigorously. Use a soft, clean cotton towel to pat dry your skin and immediately apply the moisturizing creams and lubricants.
Immunomodulators may be prescribed to help treat eczema as they control the inflammation. These drugs also help in controlling the immune system reactions after application on the skin. Many doctors may advice ultraviolet light therapy for severe eczema . There are many over-the-counter treatment options like corticosteroid cream and neem oil, etc. available that help relieve the itchy eczema rash.
Itchy Eczema Treatment
When you are suffering from a very itchy eczema rash, you should first and foremost avoid scratching. I know it is very difficult to stop yourself from scratching or stop a child suffering from itchy eczema from doing so, but you need to do so. You can apply some Benadryl to help control the irritability and itchy feeling. You can apply a damp dressings to control severe itching. Also oral histamines taken at night help you get drowsy and fall asleep, thus taking your mind off the itchy eczema for sometime at least. You can even apply capsaicin that will act as a counter-irritant and hydrocortisone applied on the skin will help giving you some temporary itch relief.
You can even try using non-cosmetic moisturizers called emollients for treating eczema. These emollients are available in form of ointments, lotions, gels and creams. You can even find emollient soaps that help in cleaning the skin without drying the skin further. Speak to your GP about the type of emollients that will help treat your condition.
Natural Treatment for Eczema
You may have tried everything possible to cure eczema and be free from the constant itching and redness. You can try some natural cures for eczema that will help reduce the flare ups and provide you some relief. You can apply a light mudpack in the affected skin area. You can even apply coconut oil to the skin, as it will keep the skin soft and moisturized. This is a good eczema cure. Coconut oil helps reducing the inflammation and helps in healing the skin tissue.
Another natural treatment for eczema is use of probiotics. These probiotics or good bacteria help reduce the occurrence of eczema in children and pregnant women. You should speak to your doctor about probiotics and if it is suitable in your case. Nutmeg powder should be made into a smooth paste and applied to heal eczema naturally.
You can even try mashing papaya seeds and applying it as a natural eczema cure. Evening primrose oil, star flower oil and blackcurrant seed oil are also found to be very effective natural treatments. These oils contain GLA that reduce the flare ups and help reduce the itching. It is also an effective natural eczema cure for reducing the skin inflammation, dryness, scaliness, etc. Fish oils also prove to be beneficial in case of severe eczema . The liquorice root contains glycyrrhizinic acid that helps in reducing symptoms of eczema. You can also apply liquorice directly on the skin or take it internally. You can try application of cream that contains witch hazel and phosphatidylcholine. This cream is as effective as 1% hydrocortizone cream for eczema treatment.
You can mix baking soda and water to make a paste. Apply this paste on the affected area to get relief from the constant itching. However, if your skin is broken or inflamed, application of baking soda will sting a lot. You can even apply lavender oil mixed with olive oil or sesame oil. This remedy will help in curing an inflamed, itchy skin.
Eczema Treatment: Homeopathic
Homeopathic eczema treatments are also found to be effective cures for some patients. In case of severe eczema itching, arsenicum may be advised. If red, itchy pimples are observed on the skin that ooze honey like liquid, then graphites may be the line of homeopathic treatment. Small, itchy blisters due to eczema are treated with Nat Mur. Petroleum is used for patients suffering from severe eczema with pus oozing out of the blisters. Another homeopathic treatment is use of sulfur, when the skin is suffering from severe eczema eruptions with a foul-smelling product oozing from the eruptions. These are just a few homeopathic eczema treatments. You can speak to a homeopathic expert regarding the eczema treatments that may prove to be helpful for your condition.
These were some of the many severe eczema treatments that will help you reduce the flare ups. You can try some alternative treatments like oatmeal baths, oatmeal creams, etc. that are available in health stores. In case of children, the British Association of Dermatologists have found that salt water baths are effective in curing eczema in children. It is very difficult to live with eczema, as it leads to a number of personal, social and health problems. When young children and infants suffer from eczema, it becomes very difficult for the parents as children tend to be restless and scratch the itchy skin. This leads to number of secondary skin infections, caused by the staphylococcus bacteria. You need to be patient and keep the skin moisturized at all times. Stay away from humid environment as sweating leads to more skin irritation. There is no specific cure to get rid of eczema completely. But you can try natural treatments for reducing the flare ups and symptoms of eczema.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult a health care provider for advice regarding any specific medical condition.
