Managing Eczema Naturally
Among the different
chronic skin conditions, eczema is one of the most common. This can come from
many outside sources, including your skin barrier and genetics. There are a few
different types of eczema, including seborrheic dermatitis. Other forms might
include contact dermatitis and stasis dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is the most
common form, which many people simple call eczema.
Regardless of your exact
diagnosis, it is important to know the underlying causes involved in developing
eczema, how to recognize the symptoms of a flare-up, and environmental and
psychosocial factors that may trigger or worsen an outbreak in order to better
choose the treatment that is right for you.
1. Who Gets Eczema?
The specific cause of eczema
is not known, but several factors have been shown to increase the likelihood of
its development. Children from higher socioeconomic classes, who live in cold
or polluted environments, and those born to older women are more likely to be
diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. Having a relative with eczema, asthma, or
seasonal allergies may also increase risk.
It is important to
remember that correlation does not prove causation. On the question of class,
for instance, upper- and middle-class families have greater access to
healthcare and are more likely to use those resources to obtain a diagnosis
than working class families, who may not be able to afford non-emergency visits
to the doctor.
Unlike more common forms
of eczema, nummular dermatitis is not likely to develop in childhood, and men
get it more than women. Even so, men typically don’t have their first outbreak
until their mid-50s. For those women who do develop nummular dermatitis, the
first outbreak is more likely to occur during the teenage years or early
adulthood.
Generally, eczema is more
severe and harder to treat in those with lowered immune systems, but it can be
caused by other medical issues as well. Stasis dermatitis develops in people
whose lower leg veins don't function properly, causing problems with
circulation and the return of blood to the heart.
Despite these many
variations and the populations who are most likely to contract them, anyone can
develop eczema at any age, so it is important to know the signs and symptoms.
2. What Does It Look Like?
Although eczema is not any
form of allergy, atopic dermatitis does resemble an allergic reaction or rash,
and can be mistaken for such if not carefully observed. Atopic dermatitis most
often affects the hands, feet, face, inner elbows, and the backs of the knees.
When scratched, pus-filled blisters can burst and form a crust over the
affected area. Over time, the skin may become thick and take on a reddish hue.
Neurodermatitis causes
small, isolated outbreaks affecting the scalp, the insides of the ears, back of
the neck, wrists, ankles, and genitals. Although the rash doesn’t spread, the
itching can be intense, and patients often scratch without realizing, or in
their sleep. As with atopic dermatitis, the irritated skin can grow thick and
even develop deep wrinkles.
Symptoms may be similar
for different types of eczema, but other forms have a vastly different
appearance. Nummular dermatitis causes red, coin-shaped marks appearing on the
legs, backs of the hands, forearms, lower back, and hips. On the other hand,
stasis dermatitis causes oozing, or weeping, of the skin as blisters fill with
clear liquid, leading to brown stains later in life.
Seborrheic dermatitis
(otherwise known as dandruff) causes skin to fall off in small, white flakes,
and most commonly affects the scalp. However, it can also appear in the
eyebrows, pubic area, on the chest, behind the ears, and on either side of the
nose.
Most forms of eczema,
particularly dyshidrotic dermatitis, can cause deep and painful cracks, or
fissures, in the skin.
3. What are the Triggers?
There are many triggers
that can cause or worsen outbreaks, from environmental factors, such as air
quality, soaps, dyes, and chemicals, and synthetic or scratchy materials in
bedding or clothes; to psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, or
obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Both physical and
emotional stress are linked with eczema (and some other skin conditions) and
can intensify symptoms in each of the various types of dermatitis.
Knowing the triggers
associated with each form of eczema can help you avoid these irritants and
reduce breakouts, in number as well as severity.
Despite the lack of
evidence directly linking eczema to a food allergy, there are some foods to
which those with eczema also become allergic, and/or which are known to trigger
or worsen outbreaks. Foods containing dairy and gluten are most commonly
associated with atopic dermatitis, but patients also report reactions to nuts,
eggs, soy products, fish, and shellfish. Not all eczema patients are allergic
to these products; however, many experience flare-ups in response to touching
or consuming them.
Dandruff may be due to an
overgrowth of the yeast that lives in the affected areas, or the overgrowth and
rapid shedding of skin cells on the scalp. However, there are environmental
factors that can increase the chance of an outbreak or cause particularly
unmanageable symptoms.
Cold, dry environments may
contribute to dry scalp; conversely, humid environments, sweating, and using
ponytail holders can create heat and moisture on the scalp, which also worsens
outbreaks.
Contact dermatitis occurs
when the skin comes in contact with one of two triggers – either an irritant,
such as soap, or an allergen, such as poison ivy – and becomes damaged. This
type of eczema may develop after prolonged or repeated contact (such as
frequent handwashing), but it can also flare in response to even brief exposure
to the triggering substance.
Known triggers for contact
dermatitis include harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde or those found in
clothing and cleansers; beauty products like foundation or perfumes; and
certain metals, such as nickel. Although its exact causes are unknown, nummular
dermatitis outbreaks can also be caused or worsened by these substances, along
with exposure to cold or dry air.
4. How Can You Lessen it?
One of the most difficult
things about having eczema is enduring the constant and intense itching without
being able to scratch. Brain tricks like mirror scratching and acupressure are
helpful for some patients, but for those who find these techniques difficult to
master or ineffective, there are many natural and home remedies that help to
relieve itchy, dried, and cracked skin.
Lifestyle and dietary
changes can also help prevent flare-ups and reduce irritation by limiting
contact with environmental and other triggers.
Kitchen Remedies
Oatmeal baths help relieve
itching and flaking. Bathe for 15 minutes to hydrate your skin then moisturize
generously with a skin-protecting lotion or cream. You may apply wet wraps to
hold in moisture by placing a double-layer of cloth over the affected skin
areas, one wet and one dry. Leave on for a few hours or overnight to let your
skin soak in the cream and stay cool.
Warm and cold compresses
provide relief in just a few minutes, and can be as simple as pulling an ice pack
from your fridge. Cold compresses – easily substituted for frozen peas or a
sandwich bag of ice cubes – are best for numbing intense itching while reducing
the inflammation and oozing caused by blisters. It may take 10-15 minutes of
application to start noticing these effects.
Chamomile is naturally
calming to both the body and the mind, as it contains molecular compounds that
bind to the same receptors in the brain as benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety
medication). A warm chamomile compress can be prepared from loose-leaf
chamomile flowers or with tea bags purchased at the grocery store.
Wait for the steam to
subside to avoid scalding, then soak a cloth in the liquid and wring it out.
Apply to the affected area until cool.
Lotions & Oils
Aloe Vera works best
direct from the plant, and is low maintenance for keeping around the house or
in your garden. Packaged Aloe Vera products tend to be diluted and contain
mostly water or even other chemicals that may not be safe for sensitive skin.
Natural Aloe Vera instantly soothes and deeply moisturizes irritated, itchy,
and red skin.
Calendula extract is used
to reduce pain and inflammation, and can be found in oils, lotions, and salves,
usually at health food stores. Like Aloe, there are no known side effects, so
it can be applied generously as often as needed. Calendula lotion can even be
mixed with Aloe Vera to strengthen its healing power.
Coconut, sunflower seed,
and sweet almond oils nourish and soften the skin, as well as reducing
inflammation. They are also much cheaper than medicated eczema creams, and many
patients report that they are far more effective. When choosing coconut oil,
make sure it is cold-pressed, virgin, and organic. Coconut oil naturally
contains healing, anti-inflammatory nutrients, enzymes, and minerals, but these
can be processed out when mass-manufactured.
Sweet almond oil, which
contains ursolic and oleic acids, can be used to both protect and repair skin.
Rub it on before showering to keep the water from penetrating and drying out
your skin; while it may feel good at first, hot water quickly evaporates and
leaves the skin dryer than before. Baby oil can also be used for this purpose.
Diet
If you have flare-ups
after eating, avoid foods that are known irritants, or eliminate them one at a
time to figure out which ones your body can and cannot tolerate. Instead, fill
your diet with foods rich in antioxidants (green vegetables, blue and red
fruits) and probiotics (yogurt, soft cheeses, certain breads).
Wearing protective gloves
when handling meat, fruit and vegetables can reduce contact dermatitis caused
by preservatives and pesticides. Wash produce with water or veggie wash before
cooking or eating.
Lifestyle and
Environment
Stress and anxiety
intensify inflammation and make it harder to stop scratching, so it is
important to learn how to manage these issues with self-care and relaxation
techniques. Certain therapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy or biofeedback
therapy, can help retrain your body to avoid reflexive or automatic responses
to stimuli, like scratching an itch. However, many relaxation and
stress-reducing techniques can be mastered on your own.
Guided or mindful
meditation, even for ten minutes a day, clears the mind and induces calm.
Mindfulness also plays a role in neuroplasticity, which allows your brain to
eliminate bad habits and form new ones. Deep breathing exercises, stretching,
or reading a book can also help you refocus.
Using hypoallergenic soap,
body wash, and shampoo and conditioner can help to prevent eczema outbreaks as
they are less damaging and contain fewer triggering substances compared to
those containing excess dyes or fragrance chemicals. If you love your scented
bath products, try looking for organic or hand-made alternatives, which are
naturally scented and colored and often made with restorative oils or extracts.
Avoid overly hot showers
and baths in favor of warm ones, and cut down the amount of time you spend in
the water. Pat or towel dry immediately after bathing and apply a thick lotion
or oil to lock in moisture.
Many manufactured textiles
(like rayon and non-organic cotton) are treated with harsh preservatives like
ammonia and acetone, along with pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals can
leave byproducts in the clothing, making it rough, scratchy, and even toxic to
the skin. Instead, choose clothing made with organic cotton, hemp, linen, silk
and other natural fabrics.
Finally, you can exert
some control over your environment by using a humidifier. Not to be confused
with essential oil diffusers, humidifiers are larger and can be left on all day
to combat the dry air associated with arid climates, cold winters, or
air-conditioning.
No Comments