Eczema Remedy

Eczema is a skin condition, or rather a group of skin conditions, in which the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin) becomes inflamed. Eczema is essentially a type of dermatitis, and along with the inflammation, there are usually other symptoms too, such as extreme dryness, flaking, scaling, itching, blistering, and oozing of fluid. In severe cases there may even be bleeding, but this is usually a result of scratching the skin.

There are several different types of eczema, and there is a considerable variation in the causes and nature of each type. Therefore, the treatment too varies greatly. The cause of eczema is not always detectable, but when it is possible to detect a cause, this is the area that must first be addressed. For example, venous eczema is known to occur in people with circulatory disorders, and therefore the disorder needs to be treated in order for the eczema to subside. Sometimes another bacterial or fungal infection of the skin can lead to eczema. This is known as autoeczematization, and it too subsides once the original infection has been successfully treated.

In the meanwhile, you can use home remedies to treat the symptoms of the eczema itself. In some cases, when the underlying cause cannot be detected or cannot be treated, treatment can consist solely of home remedies targeting specific symptoms. The main aim of home remedies is to reduce the inflammation and itching, and moisturize skin. Most other symptoms are a result of not addressing the dryness or responding to the itching by constantly scratching the skin.

Moisturizing is an important part of the treatment and can solve a large part of the problem. You should use a thick moisturizing cream, and apply it daily, immediately after bathing. This helps to trap the moisture that the skin has already absorbed while bathing. Regular moisturizing creams may not be adequate, so if necessary you should use something thicker such as petroleum jelly, aqueous cream, or even coconut oil, in spite of its messiness. You should also avoid using regular soap to bathe – instead, use a mild, moisturizing bath wash, or a glycerin soap. Try using a hypoallergenic soap too. Be very cautious about all skin products including moisturizers and soaps – use basic, unscented products whenever possible. You can also take an oatmeal bath – add some oatmeal, preferably powdered - colloidal oatmeal, to the bath water, and then soak in it. Lifestyle measures are also important – ensure that you eat a healthy, balanced diet, get adequate sleep daily, and avoid stress as far as possible.