Natural Eczema Treatments

A natural treatment to improve eczema skin can be found in basic lifestyle changes. Eczema tends to flare-up when the person is exposed to certain trigger factors. These substances or conditions worsen the eczema, such as dry skin, irritants, allergens, emotional stress, heat and sweating, and infections.

It is important in the treatment of eczema to treat the cause of eczema and the aggravating factors in as many ways as possible. Those who modify their lifestyles, eating habits, and reduce their level of stress often experience a much greater degree of eczema clearing. While treating the symptoms of eczema that are most visible and distressing, you should also try to treat the cause! If we find and treat the cause, then maybe all the symptoms of eczema need not occur! Good health for your skin as well as your entire body may require a permanent lifestyle change that will reward you with a longer life and more beautiful skin to wear during those extra years. A picture can be worth a thousand words. Before implementing the lifestyle changes, take a picture of your eczema so you can see the cause and effect of each lifestyle change in your eczema skin in 2-3 months by taking an "after" picture.

Some natural eczema cures or remedies are targeted specifically at a particular type of eczema.

Trigger factors for atopic eczema may include soap, harsh chemicals, heat and humidity, stress, certain foods (most common offenders include eggs, milk, wheat, soy protein, and peanut). Many of these ingredients can turn up in unusual places, such as all-natural soaps, makeup, cream, or lotions. Inhalant allergens such as house dust mites, pets, pollen, and cut grass are also triggers that can cause eczema.

Infantile seborrheic eczema, also called cradle cap or baby eczema, affects the face, scalp, and upper extremities and is often associated with food consumption (cheese, egg whites, wheat, or nuts are a common cause of infantile seborrheic eczema). Other triggers that can cause baby eczema include soaps, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, wool, and polyester or blended fabrics. A natural treatment is to feed the baby breast milk which can help to control or limit eczema in infants.

Perioral eczema affects mostly women. In addition to redness around the mouth, the symptoms of perioral eczema may also include small red bumps or even pus bumps and mild peeling. Lip balms, lipstick, or toothpaste can all cause perioral eczema. Treatments include using a non-tartar, non-fluoride toothpaste.

Contact eczema is an inflammatory response by the skin to an outside allergen or irritant. Substances that cause contact eczema include household items, clothing, cosmetics, and plants. The types of substance that cause the symptoms to appear can further define contact eczema.

A substance that has a direct toxic effect or exposure to an irritant produces irritant contact eczema and a skin reaction can occur immediately or gradually after repeat exposure. Examples of substances that cause irritant contact eczema include acids, certain toilet bowl cleaners or drain cleaners, oven cleaners, detergents, ammonia, lye, cement, turpentine, and paint thinners.

Allergic contact eczema will trigger an immunologic response that causes inflammation called a skin allergy. Examples of substances that cause allergic contact eczema include poison ivy, poison sumac, poison oak, dyes, fragrances, leather, rubber compounds (gloves and shoes), and nickel (jewelry accessories). Itching and burning are common symptoms in both types of contact eczema.

Local contact with an allergen followed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) can cause photo allergic eczema (light sensitive eczema).

The cause of dyshidrotic eczema may be sensitivity to nickel or other metals such as chromium or cobalt, also fragrances, fungal infection (tinea pedis), stress, aspirin, oral contraceptives, smoking, and implanted metals. The following suggestions will be helpful for anyone with symptoms of hand eczema:

• Wear waterproof or cotton-lined gloves.
• Avoid contact with soaps, detergents, scouring powders, and irritating chemicals.
• Wear waterproof gloves when peeling or squeezing lemons, oranges, or grapefruit, peeling potatoes, or handling tomatoes.
• Wear heavy-duty gloves while gardening.
• Wash dishes in a dishwasher.
• Do not wash clothes by hand.
• Avoid contact with turpentine, paint, and paint thinner, floor polish, and shoe polish.
• Wash hands in warm water and a small amount of mild soap, rinse carefully and dry gently.
• Avoid rings can cause hand eczema to become worse.

The most common cause of foot eczema is dyes used in the manufacture of shoes and sneakers, which are made with dyes and/or rubber. These irritants cause rashes and dry or scaly skin. Leather shoes also contain dyes. Successful treatment may include wearing socks that are 60% cotton and changing shoes every day - alternate 2 to 3 pairs of shoes. Follow recommended treatments for at least 4 months after skin has healed. It takes a long time for skin to recover, and, unless you're careful, the eczema will reoccur.

Healthy Tips for Better Skin:

Reduce Stress for Eczema Relief

It is thought that eczema may be an outlet for one's emotions and is aggravated by stress. It could equally be said that eczema may cause emotional stress. Either way, eczema can justifiably be described as "a condition you wear." The psychological aspects of eczema are very imprecise but undoubtedly there are psychological factors in many illnesses.

Stress is the body's reaction to a perceived threat. Adrenaline and hormones are released, and the central nervous system is activated, sharpening our senses, but simultaneously our pulse rises, our muscles tense and our immune system begins to shut down. Those that cannot relieve stress as needed may experience fatigue, upset stomach, and frequent headaches. Long-term stress can contribute to family breakdown, and job fatigue, with resulting long term health problems such as depression, heart disease, high blood pressure, as well as psoriasis and eczema. When you have stress at home and at work, it can be very upsetting. Can you treat stress? You certainly can by changing your situation, your attitude toward people and things (we can learn to be positive), taking the personal time out to have fun and friendship (a good social network of friends at work, neighbors, and relatives are most important for support), by meditating and praying, staying physically fit, and by seeking outside help if needed. Consider "quality" of time on the earth and not just the "quantity" of years to live on the earth; however, both can be more fulfilling with the proper ratio of work and play!

Here are some ways to reduce stress in your life:

• Allow as much time for tasks as possible to avoid time-pressured periods.
• Remind yourself that your job is not your entire life.
• Take a break for lunch every day.
• Leave your desk and take a walk
• Write a personal letter
• Plan a vacation.
• "Sound off" with a trusted friend or colleague who understands your situation and will keep your confidence.

The frantic pace of today's family can sometimes make it harder for the eczema sufferer to relax...especially when it's time to get the rest they need. Some helpful relaxations tips for eczema sufferers and their families include:

• Create a special slow and peaceful day for just you and your entire family when scheduling permits.
• Eliminate caffeine, colas, and diet soft drinks containing aspartame or NutraSweet, chocolates and cocoa of which contain caffeine that makes us all hyper jittery and keeps us all awake as stimulants do.
• Turn off the television; violent programming that can be stressful or stimulating to children and even adults. Cuddling up with your child and family members and reading a favorite book is a much more settling way to relax and enjoy a relationship than the tube.
• Schedule a wind-down time for the entire family. Avoid wrestling or games that gear children and the family up when it is time to slow down. Likewise, with the other adult family members, avoid talking about controversial matters until a Saturday afternoon, or some other possible slow time. Make the bedtime a bedtime for all of those in the family. Listen to quiet music or sing special songs. Children respond to the mood of the music so you can choose the mood needed for bedtime for all that will be relaxing and not stimulating to anyone.
• Dim the lights to create a quiet mood.
• Sit or lie down with your children. Most children find this very comforting and you will most likely also. It lets your child or children know that rest time isn't just for 'babies' but for everyone. Gently massage your child's back, arms and hands, while avoiding any ticklish areas that will stimulate the child or adult. KEEPING THE FAMILY RELAXED and "in tune" reduces STRESS for all.

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