Many people suffer from eczema, which is extremely dry skin that is red and itchy and may even crack open and bleed. The conventional treatment for eczema is cortisol cream, but if you'd rather not use a steroid cream, there are several natural treatment options available. Eczema may be the result of a more serious medical condition, and you should talk to your doctor or naturopath about any concerns you have regarding your dry skin. He or she may be able to pinpoint the cause of your eczema and make a treatment plan that is right for you.
Step 1
Drink plenty of water every day to keep your body hydrated from the inside out.
Step 2
Wash with mild soap and rinse it off well with warm, not hot, water. Some people find that castile or glycerin soap is gentler on their skin than other commercial soaps. Avoid using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, since this will further dry out your skin.
Step 3
Use a lotion, cream or salve to lock moisture into your skin. It may take some trial and error to find a product that works best for you, but many eczema sufferers find relief with lotions that contain borage, chamomile, evening primrose, calendula or comfrey. Look for natural creams without any artificial fragrances, dyes or preservatives. Some people also use pure coconut oil, cocoa butter or shea butter to moisture their extremely dry skin.
Step 4
Try taking evening primrose oil internally. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, evening primrose oil capsules have proven to be effective for relieving the redness and itchiness of skin conditions such as eczema. Evening primrose oil is generally safe, but it can interact poorly with certain prescription medications and may lower the seizure threshold for people with epilepsy. Talk to your doctor before taking evening primrose oil.
Step 5
Consider food allergies, which in addition to stomach upset or hives may also cause eczema. Your doctor can test for some food allergies, or he or she may put you on an elimination diet, where you remove a common food allergen---such as dairy, wheat or soy---from your diet for several weeks to see if your condition improves.
Step 6
Reduce stress in your life. Stress can often trigger an outbreak of eczema.
Step 7
Wear soft clothing made from cotton, silk, bamboo or other natural fibers. Synthetics can cause skin irritation in many people; however, some people can't tolerate wool.
Step 8
Use a humidifier to boost moisture level in your home during dry weather. Clean the humidifier regularly to eliminate the buildup of bacteria in the water.
Things You'll Need
- Mild soap
- Lotion or cream
- Evening primrose oil
- Soft clothing
- Humidifier
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