Itchy skin is one symptom of eczema, an inflammation of the skin that is relatively common. More than 20% of people with skin disease have some degree of eczema. Doctors often prescribe cortisone creams and ointments that sometimes don’t work and often have undesired side effects. If you’re running into this problem, here are a few alternative methods to deal with eczema using more natural means.
1. Oatmeal
Oats aren’t just the tastiest breakfast, they are also great for battling eczema. Here is how to take a oatmeal bath: Fill up a sock with oats and hang it from the bath faucet before filling it up. The water should flow through the sock, releasing the soothing qualities of the oats. You could alternatively use nettles, which have pain-, inflammation-, and itch-reducing effects.
2. Cucumber
Cucumbers have an extremely high moisture content and thus are great for preventing inflammation. Placing a few cucumbers on itchy skin can help relieve the itch substantially.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is another natural way to heal eczema and reduce dryness and itchiness. You can simply buy a few aloe vera leaves and squeeze the gel out of them. Rub the liquid into your skin for relief. If you store the leaves in the refrigerator, they should be good for multiple applications.
4. Lemon
Press a lemon wedge onto your inflamed skin. It may burn at first, but the lemon juice will also help to reduce your inflammation.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric is both disinfecting and anti-inflammatory. It’s not only used for cases of eczema, but many other skin illness as well. Mix turmeric powder with water and spread the paste directly on your skin. Let it sit for a few hours and then rinse it off. Warning: This is called «yellow root» for a reason; it can leave lasting stains on fabric and surfaces.
6. Humidifier
Dry air is not good for your skin, especially when you’re dealing with eczema. It may be wise to invest in a humidifier if the air in your home is especially dry. If you can’t afford one, placing a few extra plants in the room can also increase the moisture in the air.
7. Relaxation
Stress doesn’t just affect you psychologically, it is also extremely unhealthy for your body. Eczema and many other illnesses can worsen with high stress levels. Make sure you give yourself enough time to step back from your day-to-day worries and relax. Exercise, cooking with friends, or reading are all great ways to calm your nerves.
8. Use natural cosmetics and lotions
Natural cosmetics and creams don’t usually containing sodium lauryl sulfates and parabens. Both of these chemicals are often found in laundry detergent, shampoo, dish soap, and cosmetics. Parabens aren’t just connected with skin inflammation, they have also been linked to hormonal and fertility issues as well as cancer.
9. Honey
Honey is not just delicious, but it can also help prevent irritation and eczema. Spread honey on you skin and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water and them pat your skin dry with a cotton pad.
10. Camomile compress
Camomile is soothing for your skin and prevents infection. To make a compress, boil dried camomile in water for 15 minutes and then pour the liquid through a sieve, saving the water. Let it cool and then soak a towel with the tea. Place the warm towel on your skin for 15 minutes.
11. Coconut oil
Cold-pressed coconut oil is an ideal alternative to lotion and a great way to combat eczema. Almond oil also works to soothe itchy and dry skin. Simply rub it in and you’re done!
12. Healthy nutrition
Try to avoid foods with artificial additives and saturated fats. Fast food and candy don’t only make you pack on the pounds, they also damages your skin and can cause eczema. Eat as many fruits and vegetables as you can as well as legumes. Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids is especially beneficial. Those can be found in leafy greens and fish. Gluten, milk, milk products, soy, nuts, and even eggs are all thought to trigger eczema outbreaks. It may be helpful to avoid those foods for a while and see if your skin improves.
Of course, every body is unique and the cause and solution is different for each person’s skin. It takes a lot of time and energy to try all of these various tips to see what works for your skin. But it’s worth it because once you know what is causing the irritation and what can help it, you can make better decisions every day.
