Eczema
Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked, it is mostly common in children but can also occur in adults too. some people only have small patches of dry skin, but others may experience widespread inflamed skin all over the body. Inflamed skin can become red on lighter skin, and darker brown, purple or grey on darker skin, this can be more difficult to see on darker skin. Although eczema can affect any part of the body, it most often affects the hands inside of the elbows, backs of the knee and the face and scalp. It is usually a long term chronic condition on the skin, although it can improve significantly with time or even clear completely with some natural remedies that help to manage the symptoms. In some children it clears completely as they grow older. Natural remedies can only manage the symptoms of eczema but cannot cure it.
Possible Causes of Eczema
Expert aren’t sure about what exactly causes eczema, but eczema tends to flare-up when your skin is exposed to external irritants which cause your immune system to react. Additionally, experts discovered that some people with eczema don’t make enough protein called filaggrin (filament aggregation protein), this protein is responsible for helping your skin to stay moisturized and healthy. Another possible cause of eczema is when there is problem in the skin barrier that let moisture out and germs in and from a family history.
Eczema Triggers
An eczema flare-up happens when one or more eczema symptoms appears on the skin. Some possible triggers are as follows:
- Rough or coarse fabric
- Temperature changes
- Household products like soap or detergents
- Animal dander
- Upper respiratory infection
- Stress
- Food allergies
- Scented products
- Sweat.
Below are some natural remedies to manage eczema.
- Avoid hot Areas: make sure to stay in a well-ventilated area to avoid hotness, this is because hot area makes eczema symptoms worst as it can cause dehydration to the skin and aggravate the itchiness of the eczema. You can stay to in a well-ventilated area that air circulate properly.
- Use Gentle Soap and Detergent: Washing detergents contains harsh chemicals that aggravate eczema. Detergents and other lathering agents can dry out skin especially in people with eczema, in order to avoid dry skin, try using a gentle, no lather fragrance free cleanser. Also avoid using products with rough particles for scrubbing or exfoliating as these can cause skin irritation. You can try using a gentler fragrance or color free laundry detergent can help improve the symptoms. Avoid fabric softener which lingers on clothes and often contains fragrances and chemicals that can irritate the skin.
- Apply Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe Vera is very common around most environments; the gel can be extracted directly from the plant. Many people have used for centuries to treat many ailments according to some research aloe Vera contains antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can prevent skin infection which are more likely to occur when a person has a dried or cracked skin. Apply some amount of the gel on the affected area on the skin that has eczema.
- Having Your Bath: Taking your bath is very important in eczema treatment. Skin condition such as eczema needs extra moisture because the outer layer of the skin is not functioning as it should. A long hot shower can remove natural oil and moisture from the skin rather take a shorter shower and keep the water warm not hot, after shower gently pat skin dry with towel and apply oil base moisturize to your body within 3minutes before the skin dry after bathing, as these can help seal water from the bath before it evaporates.
- Apply Honey: Honey is known as a natural anti-inflammatory or anti-bacterial properties, honey has been used by many people for years to heal wound. Honey is used for treating a variety of skin ailments like burns and wound because of its antibacterial properties. Applying honey directly to eczema can help prevent infections while moisturizing the skin and speed up healing process.
- Apply Coconut Oil: Coconut oil contains fatty acids that can add moisture to the skin which can help with dry skin and eczema. Coconut oil can help protect the skin and control inflammation. Apply coconut oil directly to the skin after bathing and up to several times a day after bathing and also before going to bed.
Note: consult your doctor for other alternatives of eczema treatments.
