Eczema, also called dermatitis, occurs due to inflammation of the skin, which produces intense itching, redness, scaly patches that may crack, weep and ooze. People can get eczema on virtually any area of the skin, though more particularly on the hands, feet, inside of elbows, back of the knees, wrists and ankles. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, complications of eczema include skin damage, infection and disturbed sleep due to constant scratching.
To Moisturize Skin
Excessive dryness of the skin due to eczema contributes to itching and can cause discomfort if skin cracks open. To keep the skin's natural moisture, do not expose it to excessive washing as this action removes the skin's protective oils. When bathing or washing hands, use lukewarm water instead of hot water. Colloidal oatmeal, such as Aveeno, helps relieve itch and moisturizes the skin when added to bath water. According to "1801 Home Remedies" by Reader's Digest, use a heavy cream-based fragrance-free moisturizer after bathing to lock in moisture, or if such a cream is not on hand, slathering on some shortening such as Crisco will do the same trick. Use gloves when washing dishes and try to use the dishwasher as often as possible to protect skin on the hands. According to EczemaFree.org, adding humidity to the air inside helps keep the skin's moisture in because central air units dry out the atmosphere inside your home, leaving skin dehydrated.
To Relieve Itching
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, getting overheated and sweating can increase itchiness, so simply keeping cool may help relieve some of the discomfort. To avoid damaging the skin and possibly introducing infection-causing bacteria, try to resist scratching as much as possible. The Reader's Digest suggests soaking a washcloth in ice-cold milk and laying it onto the affected area to relieve itching. This can be repeated as many times as needed. If a rash is oozing, applying calamine lotion can also help with the itching as well as drying out the ooze. Additionally, according to "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies" by Dr. C. Norman Shealy, bathing sore areas with witch hazel diluted in warm water can relieve some discomfort.
To Treat from the Inside
According to the Reader's Digest, foods rich in essential fatty acids such as omega-3s help reduce inflammation and allergic reactions--both causative factors of eczema symptoms. Omega-3s can be found in walnuts, avocados, flaxseed oil and some fish such as salmon or tuna. EczemaFree.org suggest taking supplements of vitamin E and vitamin A to boost the skin's natural oil production for increased moisture and to help skin cells regenerate faster, respectively.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology: Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis
- "1801 Home Remedies"; Reader's Digest; 2004
- EczemaFree.org: Natural Treatment for Eczema
- FamilyDoctor.org: Eczema: Tips on How to Care for Your Skin
- "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies"; Dr. C. Norman Shealy; 2002
