If you suffer from itchy skin, accompanied by reddish or brown discoloration or small liquid-filled bumps, you may have eczema (atopic dermatitis). Other symptoms include scaling, thickened areas of skin and cracking, according to the Mayo Clinic. Conventional medications include topical anti-inflammatory creams and ointments to reduce itching. If you prefer, use home remedies to ease the itch, promote healing and prevent recurrent eczema outbreaks.
Reduce Itching
Scratching increases the risk of irritation, but it's tough not to scratch when you're itching like mad. The Mayo Clinic suggests using damp, cool compresses to cover the affected skin to reduce the itch. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative medicine recommends adding table salt to the water before soaking the compresses. Use ¼ cup of salt for every 1 quart of cool water.
A baking soda bath may also alleviate itching. Sprinkle the soda over warm bath water and soak. Alternately, use laundry bleach, without added ingredients, at the ratio of ¼ cup for every 40 gallons of bath water. A handful of oatmeal, ground to a fine powder in your blender and then sprinkled into the bathwater, forms a lubricating film on your skin, which may reduce itching.
Diet and Lifestyle
Reduce potential allergens in your diet to reduce eczema. Mother Nature.com reports that sensitivity to foods may trigger eczema episodes. Although everyone is different, common triggers include eggs, milk and orange juice.
Medline Plus, a division of the National Institutes of Health, suggests avoiding peanuts and wheat products that may trigger eczema in some people.
Adding supplements to your diet may reduce your symptoms. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine recommends taking a fish oil capsule daily and adding vitamin C and vitamin E to your daily regimen. Consult your doctor before exceeding the recommended dosage on the vitamin package.
Prevent Flare-ups
Direct contact with some substances may cause an eczema outbreak, advises Medline Plus. Avoid lanolin, wool, solvents and soaps, shampoos and lotions that contain added scents, deodorants or chemicals. After showering, apply a non-irritating lotion to your damp skin to lock in moisture. Petroleum jelly, without added ingredients may be beneficial.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Eczema--Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Medline Plus: Atopic Eczema
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Volume 2"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
- Mother Nature: Eczema
- Mayo Clinic: Eczema--Symptoms
