Eczema can be a frustrating and painful condition, not to mention embarrassing when others don’t particularly understand your condition. Sometimes, even researchers disagree on the possible reasons the disease occurs, or discover new reasons that were not known before. But sometimes the treatment can seem more difficult to endure than the problem itself, leaving many patients wondering if there isn’t another way. Fortunately, there are some natural treatments available that you can try at home. Many patients have found relief by using these treatments instead of using the harsh chemical treatments often prescribed for eczema patients. Not only are there less chemicals in the home remedies, but they are usually less expensive, as well. Below are some remedies you might want to try for your eczema, as well as some general tips that can make coping with the disease easier.
Diet
Yes, it’s true, what you eat and drink has everything to do with the health of your body, including your skin. Your skin is an organ, and if you’re consuming a high amount of processed foods (even those that claim to be “natural”), junk food, starch, sugars, and fatty oils, you could potentially be making your condition much worse. It has been shown that a diet high in fruits and vegetables (organic, if possible), low in fat, and void of refined sugar and processed food can help you combat the symptoms of eczema. Also, you should note that consuming alcohol can also make the condition worse.
Coconut Oil
Not just any coconut oil will do, but if you can get your hands on some organic, cold press, virgin coconut oil, it often works much better than the expensive creams prescribed by dermatologists.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E oil is excellent for your skin. You can purchase the capsules over the counter in the vitamin aisle and break open the capsules, or you can purchase the actual oil. The trick here is to avoid any kind of synthetic vitamin E, so read the labels with a discerning eye. Do your research ahead of time so you know which companies and brands offer the highest quality supplement.
Cup of Tea
You may love tea or loathe it, but this batch isn’t for you, it’s for your skin. Brew a very strong batch of chamomile tea, steeping it for no less than 15 minutes, and apply the tea with gauze to areas of your skin affected by eczema for about 20 minutes. If you’ve got acute symptoms, you can repeat this process throughout the day.
Cucumber
The image of a person with cucumbers over their eyes has become quite cliche, but thinly sliced organic cucumber can actually help your eczema symptoms improve. Soak the slices for at least two hours and apply the liquid (water) left behind with a cotton gauze for maximum benefit.
Carrots, Anyone?
Skin a few organic carrots, three if you’ve got them, and boil them until they’re mashably soft. Then, mash them up until you’ve got a smooth, paste-like substance. Apply the mashed veggies to areas of your skin affected by eczema for 15 minutes, and rinse your skin off with cool water once you’re done.
Words of Wisdom
When it comes to treating eczema, you want to make sure you’re using the purest, most chemical-free, natural ingredients available. Organic fruits and vegetables will be your best friends, as they aren’t sprayed with pesticides and other harsh chemicals. Some sources that advocate natural remedies say if you wouldn’t put it in your mouth, you shouldn’t put it on your skin, and this is a generally useful rule of thumb when it comes to what you use to treat your eczema. Dermatologists often push creams and other chemical agents that do not always help the condition. In fact, sometimes the chemical solvents and creams prescribed or suggested by doctors can actually worsen the condition, as lawyers such as those at www.irwinmitchell.com see in medical negligence cases on too frequent a basis. You should certainly seek out your doctor’s advice, but if you don’t want to use a product he or she offers, or you’d like to try some natural remedies first, it’s completely within your right to do so, and you should stand firm on that decision.
Devil’s in the Details
Always read the ingredients of any product you purchase, even those that claim to be “all natural” or “organic”. Sometimes, a product claims it’s completely natural, but the ingredients will show that certain additives were used, some chemicals were included, or that ingredients “from concentrate” were used. If you can find raw vegan products, those will likely be your best bet, but more often than not you won’t see “raw vegan” on the label, even if the product meets the requirements for raw products. So, your best line of defence is to check the ingredients label and purchase the least-processed, most natural product you can find. Never hesitate to call the manufacturer, or be your own manufacturer by using some of the tips above. Your health is in your hands, so do what you feel is right for your body, and take care of yourself the way in which you feel most comfortable.