Home Remedies: The Painful Irritation of Eczema: by Dana Sparks

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 By Dana Sparks

Home Remedies: The painful


irritation of eczema
March 3, 2017Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a condition that makes your skin red and
itchy. It's common in children but can occur at any age. Atopic dermatitis is long lasting
(chronic) and tends to flare periodically and then subside. It may be accompanied by
asthma or hay fever.
No cure has been found for atopic dermatitis. But treatments and self-care measures
can relieve itching and prevent new outbreaks. For example, it helps to avoid harsh
soaps and other irritants, apply medicated creams or ointments, and moisturize your
skin.

To help reduce itching and soothe inflamed skin, try these self-care measures:

 Take an oral allergy or anti-itch medication. Options include nonprescription


allergy medicines (antihistamines) — such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) or fexofenadine
(Allegra). Also, diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others) may be helpful if itching is
severe. But it can make you drowsy, so it's better for bedtime.
 Take a bleach bath. A diluted-bleach bath decreases bacteria on the skin and
related infections. Add 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) of household bleach, not
concentrated bleach, to a 40-gallon (151-liter) bathtub filled with warm water —
measures are for a U.S.-standard-sized tub filled to the overflow drainage
holes.Soak from the neck down or just the affected areas of skin for about 10
minutes. Do not submerge the head. Rinse, pat dry and moisturize. Take a
bleach bath no more than two or three times a week.
 Apply an anti-itch cream or calamine lotion to the affected area. A
nonprescription hydrocortisone cream, containing at least 1 percent
hydrocortisone, can temporarily relieve the itch. Apply it to the affected area
before you moisturize. Once your reaction has improved, you may use this type
of cream less often to prevent flare-ups.
 Moisturize your skin at least twice a day. Use a moisturizer all over while your
skin is still damp from a bath or shower. Pay special attention to your legs, arms,
back and the sides of your body. If your skin is already dry, consider using oil or
lubricating cream.
 Avoid scratching. Cover the itchy area if you can't keep from scratching it. Trim
nails and wear gloves at night.
 Apply cool, wet compresses. Covering the affected area with bandages and
dressings helps protect the skin and prevent scratching.
 Take a warm bath. Sprinkle the bath water with baking soda, uncooked oatmeal
or colloidal oatmeal — a finely ground oatmeal that is made for the bathtub
(Aveeno, others). Soak for 10 to 15 minutes, then pat dry and apply medicated
lotions, moisturizers or both (use the medicated form first).
 Choose mild soaps without dyes or perfumes. Be sure to rinse the soap
completely off your body.
 Use a humidifier. Hot, dry indoor air can parch sensitive skin and worsen itching
and flaking. A portable home humidifier or one attached to your furnace adds
moisture to the air inside your home. Keep your humidifier clean to prevent the
growth of bacteria and fungi.
 Wear cool, smooth-textured cotton clothing. Reduce irritation by avoiding
clothing that's rough, tight, scratchy or made from wool. Also, wear appropriate
clothing in hot weather or during exercise to prevent excessive sweating.
 Treat stress and anxiety. Stress and other emotional disorders can worsen atopic
dermatitis. Acknowledging those and trying to improve your emotional health can
help.

See your doctor if your atopic dermatitis symptoms distract you from your daily
routines or prevent you from sleeping.

 Stasis dermatitis – This form of eczema occurs on the lower legs of


those who are middle-aged or older and have poor circulation in their leg
veins. This causes a build-up of pressure in the veins and fluid leakage into
surrounding tissues and skin which leads to swelling, redness, itching,
scales and pain. Stasis dermatitis tends to develop rapidly, resulting in the
crusting and weeping of the person’s skin, over time the rash may result in
the development of brown stains on the skin.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
for Eczema:
You’ll need:

 ¼ teaspoon of baking soda


 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
 half cup of water
 honey (Optional)
Preparation time: 3 minutes.

How to do:

 Add ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to 2


tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
 Mix it well. Once the fizzing comes to a halt,
add half cup of water to it.
 To improve the taste, tea or honey could be
added to it.
 Drink the mixture daily to improve the skin.
Repetitions: Once in a day.
Tips and Precautions:
Apple cider vinegar is one of the best home remedies to cure eczema.
Therefore, if you are using apple cider vinegar for this skin issue, you
must pay heed to the following tips and precautions in order to use the
product with more effective and care respectively

 This vinegar shouldn’t be used in concentrated form. It must


be diluted to protect the skin from burning sensation and
stinging, especially, while using in case of children.
 Apple cider vinegar with dark in color and have sediments
lying in the bottom is the one which is unfiltered, raw, and
unpasteurized. It should be preferred over other to seek
better results.
 One should not use irritants like soaps,
detergents;shampoos, body spray, and dye in the infected
area because it will lead to itching of the skin and eventually
eczema outbreaks.
 Since it contains citric and acetic acid, therefore one should
avoid using it in case of chronic indigestion, ulcer, and heart
burns.
 Diabetic patients on medication shall not intake vinegar as it
can react with insulin.
 Once you know which method works for you i.e. if apple
cider vinegar provides you relief solely or it needs to be
accompanied by any other product, keep following that one
method for few days to find if it actually brings relief.
 It is always recommended to consult your doctor in case if
you are under any medication.

If there are natural remedies available to cure eczema, then investing in commercial medicines
will be a waste! What do you think? Share your experience with us.
Olive oil and Vaseline for Eczema:
Ingredients:

 Olive oil 2 tablespoons


 Vaseline 3 tablespoons
Procedure:

 Mix the two ingredien6ts thoroughly


 Ensure that there are no lumps
 Apply it on the affected area
 Put a clean piece of cloth over it
 Let it rest overnight
 Wash it off with lukewarm water
 Store excess in refrigerator
Repetitions: Daily.
Preparation Time: 3 minutes.
Best Time To Apply: Overnight.
How It Work:

 The natural -saturated fatty acids of olive oil


prevents drying of the skin.
 It is antibacterial and antifungal in nature and
prevents any infection.
 It effectively removes any build-up of dead cells
or any other impurities.
 It nourishes the skin and makes it soft.
Tips: The refrigerated mixture must be brought to room temperature
before use.

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