Changing Your Lifestyle:
A Natural Treatment to Improve Eczema Skin

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 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, feeding the baby breast milk 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. Treatments include using a non-tartar, non-fluoride toothpaste. Lip balms, lipstick, or toothpaste can also cause perioral eczema.

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. Wearing 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 interesting!

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.

Drink Water for Eczema Relief

Do your skin a favor and drink lots of water. Increasing your water intake, increases the moisture in your skin. Drink at least 12 eight-ounce glasses (3 liters) of water per day! Considerably more is needed if one is working outside, playing a sport, or doing something else physically taxing. And since heat relates to flushing and skin redness in most people, they need even more. Those with eczema should consume between 12 and 16 glasses (3-4 liters depending on body size and physical activity and dry or cold climates with low humidity) of icy water per day to cool the face and the body and to assist the body in proper excretion of oil, waste, and toxins. The water must be icy cold to help prevent flushing and to reduce it once it has occurred. Consider how hot coffee, hot soup, and many other hot foods can make you flush—by contrast, ice water curbs the flushing reaction by cooling the blood flowing to the brain’s temperature center, which controls flushing. Water also moistens the skin, greatly reducing clogged pores. Most importantly, water helps relieve stress during the day and relaxes the body for sleep. We cannot stress enough how important it is to drink water. The hypothalamus is the body's thermostat, regulating temperature, but it cannot achieve this objective without adequate water. The body is approximately 70% water while the eye is 96% water. Water is needed for skin tissue repair as well as nearly every body process including efficient digestion, absorption, circulation and secretion. Water carries nutrients to the skin cell and all body cells and removes waste from the cell. Urine should be white or a very light straw yellow. A humidifier for a room or 2,000 sq. ft. home can be purchased at below $127.00 at Sears. A camel can go without water by allowing its body temperature to rise without sweating, and by tolerating extreme dehydration. Humans aren't camels; we can't survive such treatment. A human needs, on average, twelve glasses of water daily in addition to other fluids (unless you're pat camel). The eczema sufferer benefits from more: 12 to 16 glasses of ice water help keep the condition under control.

Reduce Irritation with Moisture

Moisturizers can be helpful in protecting the skin from dryness. We suggest 100% pure Jojoba oil with no preservatives, which normally can be found at GNC stores in the United States and Canada and can be purchased in most health stores throughout the world.

The importance of Jojoba oil derives from its similarity to the natural restorative oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the dermal layers of the skin. Jojoba oil is non-allergenic and will not clog the pores.

Jojoba is completely miscible with the natural sebum of the skin, and when used on the skin, forms a very thin, non-greasy lipoid layer. This layer is partially porous and provides exceptional trans-epidermal respiration and moisture control. Unlike greasy occlusive materials such as petrolatum, mineral oils and some lanolin products, Jojoba oil provides an absolutely non-tacky, non-oily and non-greasy, dry softening to the skin.

It also significantly reduces trans-epidermal water loss, without totally blocking the transpiration of gases and water vapor. The kinking of Jojoba’s “cis” configuration helps to avoid the tight packing of hydrocarbon chains, thereby enhancing this water-loss function.

Jojoba is an extremely functional ingredient in hair and scalp preparations and many scalp related problems are caused by a hardened build-up of sebum that clogs the hair follicles and may cause some types of scaling. If this hardened build-up is not removed, it can eventually obstruct the hair follicle's ability to function properly, which can lead to a loss of the hair shaft, and ultimately, death of the follicle. Jojoba rapidly penetrates down to the scalp and hair shaft, and readily loosens and dissolves this hardened build-up. The scalp and hair follicles are left clean and free to continue their normal function. It is also an excellent soil-dissolving agent, which can remove sticky build-up on the hair from many modern hair preparations as well as airborne particulates. Jojoba will leave the hair clean and supple. Jojoba exhibits a matchless keratoplastic effect that leaves the hair shimmering and brings out the hair's natural color overtones and brilliance, and a periodic treatment with Jojoba oil being massaged into the scalp and hair, and then left to do its work, can make a vast difference to the quality of your hair as well as the health of your scalp.

Since Jojoba oil has an affinity to the skin, and the normal skin lubrication found in the skin (sebum), it is used with great effect in a variety of skin care products, ranging from anti-acne to anti-aging ranges. It has a great effect on fighting wrinkles, as well as having an anti-bacterial effect on the skin.

Although people see Jojoba as oil, it is really a wax ester, and is non-oily or greasy and contains high levels of tocopherols, which have an antioxidant effect on the skin.

Skin absorption studies at the University of Michigan demonstrated that Jojoba is quickly absorbed into the skin, which is apparently via the transappendegeal mechanism and occurs through the pores and hair follicles – but because it is so rapidly absorbed, the pores and hair follicles remain open and thus maintain their proper functioning ability.

It is an excellent moisturizer and softens the skin by a dual action – firstly by forming a non-greasy lipid layer, which is partially occlusive (thereby preventing water-loss through the skin) and by the diffusion of Jojoba into the intercellular spaces of the stratum corneum to soften this tissue.

Reduce Stimulants for Eczema Relief

Stimulants such as coffee, tea, cigarettes, and excessive sugar from sweets and soda should be avoided. Sodas (soft drinks, pop) containing aspartame and or NutraSweet cause central nervous system stimulation and irritation of the skin and should be avoided. Anything that affects the entire body, brain, and nervous system to awaken it in the morning or stimulate it during the day can easily stimulate the sebaceous glands to secrete more oil that has to leave the body via the pores. Stimulants also create stress.

Steroids: A Curse or an Eczema Cure?

Steroids cannot solve the problem, however, they help temporarily while the skin becomes addicted to the steroids and cortisone's. Topical creams or ointments that contain corticosteroids are frequently prescribed to help control itching. It’s best to limit the use of these products to a two-week period or less. Overuse of corticosteroids (also called steroids) can cause increased redness, thinning of the skin or further damage that may aggravate an existing condition or cause another condition which may prove more difficult to treat such as steroid-induced eczema redness and flares. Your doctor might also recommend medications you take internally, such as oral corticosteroids. Cortisone (steroid) creams applied directly to the affected area have been a mainstay of eczema therapy. However, overuse of highly potent steroids can be damaging. Cortisone pills or shots are sometimes used, but they are not safe for long-term use. Researchers are seeking new and safer drugs to control the itch and inflammation.

Alcohol Can Aggravate Eczema

Many people think of alcohol as a way to relax and relieve stress, but it may usually worsen eczema. Alcohol is a diuretic; that is, it pushes water out of body cells, causing increased urine production resulting in dehydration. Dehydration causes the skin's pores to shrink, making them more prone to clogging. Also, alcohol inhibits sleep, causing more fatigue and stress, which lead to more psoriasis and eczema symptoms. A eczema sufferer who drinks alcohol should follow it with much water to hydrate the body and prevent eczema flare-ups.

Food Allergies May Be Causing Your Eczema

Allergens are more subtle trigger factors. An allergen does not irritate, but may trigger an eczema flare-up in those who have become allergic to it from prior exposure. Allergens are usually animal or vegetable proteins from foods, pollens, or pets.

In our experience, many patients with eczema have other symptoms that suggest the diagnosis of food allergy. Often, it is the symptoms of food allergy that motivate people to start diet revision and an improvement in their eczema condition is noted along with improvement in other symptoms such a gastrointentestinal disturbances, migraine headache, sinusitis, and fatigue.

There are different types of flushing caused by the intake of various foods and beverages. A very interesting note is that not everything affects everybody. Everyone is different! While you will find 50 foods below causing problems, the average supermarkets has thousands of foods available that can provide nutrition as well as energy. The allergy foods can be subdivided into the various categories as follows:

• Eczema redness or vascular dilation is partially caused by high calorie carbohydrates (pastas, breads) and sugar spiking from all sweet foods. Just remember kids having a sugar high and bouncing off the walls due to energy available. So think of things that give you a high burn rate, high energy, or foods that would most likely add fat to your body, and you would be identifying the worst culprits So reducing food consumption with obviously less food reduces the heat/calories burned with the body being noticeably colder during the winter and less noticeable during the Summer helps to control facial redness. As there is less heat by calories burned, there is less redness or dilation. Therefore, three small meals with breakfast being the most important and grazing in between meals is better for limiting this kind of flushing, however it is important to keep the daily calorie intake within one's calorie budget to maintain your ideal weight.
• Quite different are the foods that are blood vessel dilators such as vinegars, hot spices and various other spicy seasonings, hot sauces, peppers (including black pepper) and meat marinades. Also, tomatoes and many citrus fruits and related juices, bananas, and red plums, raisin, and figs, pasta, cheese, and chocolates are some of the worst offenders to many. Other very common known flushing foods are liver, yogurt, sour cream, cheese, vanilla, soy sauce, yeast extract eggplant, avocados, spinach, broad-leaf beans and pods, including lima, navy or peas. Also, allergies to malt and yeast beverages, and fermented alcohols would fall into the allergy category.

And the stimulants such as coffees, teas, soft drinks with caffeine, alcohol beverages and chocolates stimulate the system resulting in more skin redness or dilation.

Also another category would be thermally hot foods and drinks as they even cause flushing in many people with normal skin conditions. Avoid all hot foods and drinks until they have cooled to body temperature or better yet cooled well below body temperature as the best way to drink a "small" amount of coffee, tea, or soft drink is refrigerator 'cold'.

Food allergies are common in causing nasal membrane mucous resulting in reddening or facial flushing for many. This condition gets a similar response (but for very different reasons) as the common cold or influenza, which often causes facial flushing due to a bacterial and virus infection.

Another category would be aspartame and NutraSweet in soft drinks, jell-os and other foods. Aspartame and NutraSweet as a sugar replacement causes noticeable skin irritations in many suffering from eczema with a delayed reaction of sometimes 40 to 60 days.

Exercise for Eczema Relief

Exercise for stress reduction! It is best to exercise in moderate temperatures: in the early morning during the summer, and during the heat of the day in winter (if outside). To prevent the body from getting "stressed", the three basketball coaches with the most wins in the world (from UCLA, Duke University, and UNC at Chapel Hill) taught the players to drink 18 to 20 glasses of water per day (they are huge as you know) and to drink exceedingly heavily six hours prior to "the game". I think the coaches have known how to prevent the body from being "stressed" or "fatigued" before a big exercise event! Body stress and fatigue has much to do with eczema flares. Don't work out 'heavy' when you are already stressed; just take a positive walk for 15 minutes, or an uplifting ref exercise that is positive and mentally uplifting that can be considered an easy exercise to get the mental wrinkles out. You may have watched many working out in various health spas alternate between working with weights, a cooling shower, a swim in the pool and back to the weights, back in the shower, back in the pool, etc. The most ideal exercise is swimming in a properly treated indoor chlorinated pool (bromide treated pools are to harsh on the skin). Chlorine kills fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can worsen eczema as well as acne and seborrheic eczema. The swimming pool water is usually 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which is well below normal body temperature of 98.6 degrees. Thus, it cools the entire body, including the eczema-affected areas, while providing excellent exercise to reduce mental stress and physical tension. Other kinds of exercise can be good in moderation, for short periods of time. The eczema sufferer has to keep a positive attitude! You can remember that you cannot control everything, but 'you can control your own attitude'!

Try the following:

• Moderate the intensity of the exercise.
• Break up the exercise into smaller chunks, not a 1-hour workout, but two half hour sessions or four 15-minute sessions. Or, just 15 minutes daily.
• Exercise in the cool - early or late in the day.
• Ideally 12 to 16 glasses of water daily for average size person, and much more for the larger or heavy laborers or those enjoying much exercise.

Proper Bathing for Eczema Relief

Take short baths or showers with warm water. Hot water can make you itch more. Ask your doctor about the use of oatmeal soaking products in your bath to help control the itching.

Cetaphil® "gentle cleansing bar for dry, sensitive skin" which can be purchased at your local drug store or pharmacy, has given the best result for skin with eczema. Wash the affected area with Cetaphil® gentle cleansing bar as needed which would be one or two times per day. Please do not pick the Cetaphil® Skin Cleanser in a plastic bottle containing two alcohols, the Cetaphil® anti-bacterial, nor the Cetaphil® Bar for oily skin as all three are too harsh for the eczema sufferer. You will also probably be very happy using Cetaphil® 'gentle cleansing bar for dry sensitive skin' over the entire body.

After bathing, don't rub your skin dry with a rough towel. That just irritates your skin more. Gently pat it dry to get the water off. Then put on some moisturizing lotion to help keep your skin from getting too dry. You can spread the lotion on several times a day.

Astringent soaps and any astringent agents that shrink the skin pores such as witch hazel, alum, very cold water, and rubbing alcohol should be avoided, as they can be more drying to the skin.

When it comes to treating your eczema, you may not always be able to control the factors that trigger or aggravate your eczema, but you control your approach toward tackling those triggers. The management of eczema is not simple. No one treatment works for everyone, since the areas involved and the degree of itching affects different people in different ways. At best we try to alleviate the intense itching, which, in essence, is the disease. Interrupt and stop this fierce symptom and we break the itch-scratch reflex, which is wholly responsible for the clinical manifestation - the rash.