Natural Solutions for Eczema

My cousin recently told me that she and her newborn son have developed eczema. Sitting around with the thought of the cutest little baby in the world itching and crying his cute little face out provoked me to immediately  look into natural ways to treat eczema. When they visited a doctor, of course our little bundle of joy was prescribed loads of non-organic chemically laden ointments and creams.

Eczema is a skin condition that affects over 18.7 million adults and 7 million children in the United States. It’s a very inconvenient condition and can be easily agitated if you don’t know how to deal with flare ups when they occur. My research revealed that there are a host of natural ways that it can be treated. Eczema is term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated. During a flare up the skin can become very itchy, flaky, and develop a rash may appear that can turn into blisters and even ooze liquid from them. The more you scratch, the worse it gets.

Some triggers that may cause an eczema flare up include: soaps, household cleaners, perfume, makeup, chlorine, cigarette smoke, sudden changes in temperature or humidity, tight or scratchy clothing, wool, cleaning products, detergents, perfume, certain foods, sweating, medication, stress, mold, smog, dust and STRESS (so chill out!) Important note: Eczema is NOT contagious by the touch (usually hereditary or due to food allergies). For women who are pregnant a study published in the Journal of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology showed that woman who took probiotic supplements while pregnant were significantly less likely to have a baby who developed eczema. Below are a few things you can try to treat your symptoms naturally. – XoXo Nicola, signing in for Raw Girl

1. Neem Oil.  (Read more about Neem oil: The Healing Wonders of Neem) This soothing and evening oil has properties which are anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-fungal, antibacterial, antioxidant,  and anti-carcinogenic. This is certainly a go- to in treating eczema naturally because it brings just the right amount of moisture to your skin. Applying it topically can help relieve itching and facilitate healing. It doesn’t smell great at all, so for regular use mix with a sweeter smelling essential oil.
2. Bentonite Clay is always an important substance to remember. Massaging some bentonite clay with a little rose water on the skin is very effective in healing the skin through drying it out while sucking impurities and toxins from the skin. (Read more about Bentonite’s amazing healing ability in article: Natural Cures: the Wonders of Bentonite Clay)
3. Dietary Changes. Our body is made from food,  water, air, and light energy. From foods, water and air our body must derive 50+ essential factors to function in a healthy way, factors our bodies cannot make from other substances. These include 20 or 21 minerals; 13 vitamins; 8 to 11 essential amino acids; 2 essential fatty acids; water; air; light; and a source of energy (carbohydrates).  Make sure to investigate your diet; find and eliminate any foods that are causing allergic reactions.
4. Drink Plenty of Water & Take Baths. Eczema involves excessive moisture loss, so you want to keep your skin as hydrated as possible, so drink at least your 8 glasses of water daily. It also helps to soak without scrubbing aggressively on your skin. Adding in epsom salts to your bath should provide some relief as well.
5. Use Natural Skin Products. Check your soaps, face creams, and lotions and try to use products with the least amount of unnatural ingredients in them. Anything you can’t pronounce or have no idea what it is research it. You wouldn’t want to increase your flare-ups and aggravate your skin more, just because you wouldn’t switch to a chemical-free product.
6. Coconut Oil is an awesome soothing moisturizer for your skin without causing irritation.
7.  Nutritional Balance. Inflammation is a factor in eczema so getting adequate omega-3 & omega-6’s ‘s is necessary to treat         the condition. Adding in foods like nuts and seeds, fish oil or DHA flaxseed oil,  spirulina, and hemp oil will give your body these essential fatty acids. To promote vibrant skin and repair of damaged skin cells make sure to get adequate zinc, selenium, silica, vitamin A, vitamin C, and sulfur. Nutrition can be improved by the consumption of whole foods, fresh juices, and super foods supplements.