Adjust Your Thermostat…

One of the most important eczema home treatments is maintaining the right temperature.  Believe it or not, the temperature in your home may be the cause of some of those annoying flare-ups.  If your home is too hot, you may find yourself sweating too much, which may lead to a break out. Air that is too cold coupled with low humidity can dry out your skin. So your goal is to achieve the perfect temperature.  Observe how the temperatures may be affecting your skin.  If you find that warm temperatures contribute to outbreaks, keep your home moist and cool.  If cold air is the culprit, keep the temperature at a warm, comfortable level.  Finding the perfect balance of your home’s temperature may take some trial and error, but mastering it can ultimately bring you much needed relief.
Keep The Air Moist…

You probably already know the importance of keeping the body hydrated from the inside out by drinking water and moisturizing throughout the day. But if the air in your house is too dry, it may be sucking all of that moisture right out of your skin. You can easily remedy this by investing in a humidifier.  A humidifier will combat the effects of dry air.  But beware, too much of a good thing can be bad if you’re not careful. Humidity levels should remain with 30%-50% range; high humidity levels can create allergen problems in the home by providing the perfect humid environment for dust mites.  Mold and mildew can also grow easily in a high humidity, unventilated home.  You should also make sure to keep your unit cleaned and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Clear The Air…

In addition to keeping the air moist with a humidifier, you may also want to invest in a quality air purifier with a HEPA filter.  Purifiers are designed to filter allergens such as dust, pollen mold, bacteria, and pet dander.  Coupling an air purifier with a humidifier is helpful at keeping your skin moist as it filters allergens out of the air.  Keeping your air moist and allergen free is an easy and effective eczema remedy.

Install a Shower Filter

Did you know that filtering your shower water is just as, if not more important than filtering your drinking water?  Having a shower water filter is an absolutely essential treatment for eczema.  The nasty contaminants and chemicals such as chlorine and chloramines may prove to be too much for your skin to bear.  During warm showers the pores in the skin opens up and becomes absorbent like a sponge.  Chlorine is also to be unstable hot water, evaporating out of the water and being inhaled into the lungs. So these chemicals are not only drying out your skin, but also causes an imbalance inside of the body that can be irritating to your condition.

Not all shower filters are created equal. KDF filters are the most common filtration medium, but some models are not very effective in removing chlormine.  Some filters are only good at removing chemicals in cold water. In fact, the best shower filters for removing both chlorine and chloramine are Vitamin C shower filters. These are available as shower heads with replacement filters or multi-use shower filters.

So, there you have it: the best home treatment for eczema is actually treating the home.  Making sure your home has the right temperature, clean and moist air, and filtered water can make a world of a difference in your skin.

Aloe Vera Gel

The Aloe Vera plant has been used for centuries for treating many types of skin ailments including eczema.  Aloe Vera provides an immediate soothing effect, and helps to clear up redness and irritation. The best way to benefit from Aloe Vera is by purchasing an Aloe Vera plant. When using a plant, you can simply pluck a leaf and directly apply the gel to your skin. You can also buy Aloe Vera gel from the store, but be careful of other ingredients and additives that can worsen your condition. The best type of Aloe Vera gel is food grade gel. You can also ingest Aloe Vera juice for long-term effects on the skin.

Coconut Oil

The most important aspect of treating eczema is keeping the skin moisturized. Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer that reduces swelling and redness caused by eczema. Use coconut oil immediately after bathing everyday, and you will notice improvement within a few weeks.

Oatmeal

Another excellent eczema natural remedy is oatmeal. Oatmeal has a calming effect on the skin and provides immediate relief from persistent itching. Colloidal oatmeal, a powdered oatmeal that dissolves in water, is the best type of oatmeal to use while bathing. However, any oatmeal sold at supermarkets can be beneficial. To use, add two to three cups of oatmeal to a bathtub filled with warm water and soak for 20-30 minutes. You can also create a simple paste by combing oatmeal and water and apply the paste to affected areas.

Herbs

Some eczema herbal remedies have been found to be helpful for reducing eczema symptoms. Herbs such as burdock, red clover, nettle, and chamomile work by cleansing and removing toxins from the body. To ingest the herbs, you can create a tea by mixing equal quantities of these herbs along with water, and brew for some time. Drink the herbal tea to detoxify the body and get relief. You can also take advantage of these herbs externally by adding them to a warm bath and soaking in the bath for roughly fifteen minutes.

Along with these natural remedies for eczema, you will also need to eat a balanced diet rich with vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates that are essential for good skin. A diet comprising of fruits, green leafy vegetables, whole grain items, sprouts, and omega fatty acid will help these eczema remedies work better to provide the much needed fast relief.
One more natural remedy for eczema cure is witch hazel. This has excellent astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. Apply the liquid to the skin rashes twice a day. Use it consistently and you will see the rashes disappearing from your skin soon.

Soap Nuts to Treat Eczema & Psoriasis

By Matthew James Johnson

Soap nuts have a long history when it comes to treating skin conditions such as eliminating freckles, erasing fine lines, and ridding cracks in the skin. Soap nuts have been used for generations in India to treat eczema and psoriasis effectively and in the past few decades have been used in Europe with very positive results. The best thing about using soap nuts is that they are safe and effective for people that are allergic to even the mildest form of astringents or cleansers that are purchased in the stores. In most cases, even the cleansers that are labeled allergy free or for sensitive skin can be damaging to sufferers of eczema and psoriasis. Soap nuts have also been used in the United States for people who have been diagnosed with these skin conditions.

Soap Nuts for Eczema?

It has always been recommended that people with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis should not use any type of cleansers on their skin. This is almost impossible considering that cleansers are in just about everything that is used commonly around the household and it is said that people who suffer from these types of skin conditions should try to avoid anything labeled as a detergent or soap. Soap nuts are among the list of herbs and minerals in Ayurvedic shampoos and cleansers and they are used in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for eczema and psoriasis. Eczema affects both males and females alike and age is not a factor. Common symptoms of mild eczema can include dry, hot and itchy skin but more severe forms of the condition can result in the skin becoming raw, broken and bleeding.

Helping Eczema & Psoriasis

Rather than having to resort to prescription medicine to treat your eczema and psoriasis, first try ground soap nut husks as they provide a totally natural chemical free detergent for treatment. Soap nuts are recommended for babies and for people who develop allergies to conventional washing products, as they contain no allergenic substances. This is extremely important for those who suffer from skin disorders because many times the clothes that are being washed can trigger the skin condition and cause it to worsen. Soap nuts are all natural and have no smell to them which is the main reason that they are so successful in ridding skin disorders and preventing future outbreaks.

Soap Nut Studies

Many studies have proven that some people who have eczema have had their problems diminish after switching to soap nuts as a laundry detergent and as a skin cleanser. Soap nuts lead to stable soapy foam when they come in contact with water. Saponin’s can replace conventional chemical detergents such as sodium laureth sulphate that are becoming increasingly unacceptable to the consumer due to fears concerning the safety of the chemical. Naturally occurring, Saponin’s provide the foaming agent necessary in shampoo or shower gel that are gentler on the body and more environmentally friendly. According to Professor C. Kamaswara Rao of the Department of Forests Environment and Ecology of the Government of Karnataka, the biggest environmental benefits of the soap nuts in conjunction with prevention and elimination of skin conditions is through its anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties.

[http://www.BuySoapNuts.com]

Soap nuts aren’t only environmentally friendly, but they are also friendly to your wallet.  You can actually get 400 loads of laundry for as low as $.08 a load.  Replacing your irritating detergent is a no-brainer!

• Soap nuts on Amazon

***Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_James_Johnson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Soap-Nuts-to-Treat-Eczema-and-Psoriasis&id=1250620

***image source:

Sure, some eczema medications work and are a god-send to many sufferers.  But the ultimate question is: are they sustainable?  In most instances, the answer is a resounding “no”, and that is why so many people are turning to eczema remedies.  In many cases, consistently using natural remedies not only help to alleviate symptoms, but can also get rid of them altogether.  And since natural remedies are inexpensive and have no undesirable side effects, there is no harm in giving them a try.  Now you don’t have to give up your medications cold turkey; natural eczema remedies can be used to complement medical treatment,  helping to reduce the amount of medication you need.

So what are some good remedies that you can do at home?  Listed below are three cheap and effective eczema treatments that work well with quick results.

Oatmeal. Who would have ever guessed that the Quaker oats man would have so much healing power inside of that red canister?  Oatmeal is actually one of the most common natural treatments for eczema, known for soothing and protecting the skin.  It is also an excellent bath additive for those with eczema.

Usually, colloidal oatmeal is used for adding to baths because of its solubility, and you can find this powder in the bath sections of your favorite store.  But colloidal oatmeal can also be made easily (and cheaply) at home. All you need is a grinder and unsweetened, uncooked oatmeal.

1. With a blender, food-processor, or coffee grinder, grind 1-2 cups of oatmeal into a fine powder.
2. Draw a warm (avoid hot) bath and add the powdered oatmeal.  The bathwater should turn milky from the oatmeal dissolving.
3. Soak in the oatmeal bath for a maximum of 20 minutes.  Be careful of getting out of the tub since the oatmeal can make it slippery.

After an oatmeal bath, the skin should feel silky, soft, and moisturized.  Any itchiness should subside.

Oatmeal can also be used for fast relief of itching and pain caused by an eczema outbreak.  All you have to do is make a paste with whole oatmeal and water and directly apply it to the rash(es).

Wet wraps.  Wet wrap therapy is an easy home remedy for eczema, good for hydrating and calming irritated skin.  If done regularly, wet wrap therapy can reduce dryness, inflammation, redness, and the frequency of intense itching. Wet wrapping can be a little time consuming, but it can be done easily in a few steps.

• Soak in a lukewarm bath- with a fragrance-free bath oil added to the water- for 5-10 minutes.
• After bathing gently pat the skin until it is partially dry.
• Apply any medication and moisturize with an emollient-rich moisturizer.
• Moisten fabric bandages with warm water and wrap around the skin.
• Cover the wet bandages with dry ones to seal in the moisture.

You can do wet wraps at any time you like, but they are especially beneficial prior to going to bed at night, as they can help you achieve a more restful sleep.

Vitamin E. While vitamin E has been proven to relieve eczema symptoms when taken internally (International Journal of Dermatology (2002;41:146–50)) as a supplement, it can also be used directly on the skin.  Vitamin E cream is an effective eczema remedy that has long been used for a variety of skin problems, including scars and acne.  But what makes vitamin E cream so great for those with eczema is its amazing ability to protect and enhance the skin.  Vitamin E cream helps to eliminate and reduce irritation and inflammation and also helps to protect you from harmful sun rays.

When purchasing a good cream, opt for a natural vitamin E cream instead of a synthetic version.  Like any other treatment, you have to be patient with vitamin E cream. Some individuals have quick results, while it may take others several weeks to notice any positive changes. If you are consistent,  you skin will eventually improve.

Of course, these three natural remedies for eczema are only a few of the countless natural treatments available.  But if you implement these remedies today, you and your skin will be off to a great start.

Acupuncture may ease the itch of eczema via Reuters.com (Dec. 2009)

Eczema is a general term for conditions marked by inflammation and dry, red, itchy patches on the skin. The most common form, atopic eczema, is seen in people with a predisposition to allergies, like hay fever or asthma.

In the new study, German researchers looked at the short-term effects of acupuncture on skin inflammation and itching in 30 people with atopic eczema.

They found that the therapy, when done minutes after patients’ skin was exposed to an allergen (either pollen or dust mites), appeared to soothe subjective feelings of itchiness.

In addition, when patients were exposed to the allergen for a second time shortly after the acupuncture session, they tended to have a less-severe skin reaction, the researchers report in the journal Allergy.

The findings show that in this “experimental setting,” acupuncture seems to ease the itch of atopic eczema, lead researcher Dr. Florian Pfab, of the Technical University of Munich, told Reuters Health in an email.

The study does not, however, answer the question of whether acupuncture as practiced in the real world would have similar benefits.

For the study, Pfab and his colleagues looked at all 30 patients under three different test conditions.

In one, patients had their skin exposed to either pollen or dust-mite allergens, then received true, or “point-specific,” acupuncture — in which needles were placed in traditional acupuncture points that, according to Chinese medicine, are related to itchy skin.

In another condition, the allergen exposure was followed by “placebo-point” acupuncture, where the needles were inserted into skin areas not used in traditional Chinese medicine. In the third condition, patients received no treatment.

Overall, Pfab’s team found, patients’ itchiness ratings were lower after they received true acupuncture, compared with both no treatment and placebo acupuncture. [Read the Rest]

Using acupuncture for eczema is obviously not a new phenomenon, so it’s great to see science finally catching up to the power of alternative healing methods.  So, what do you think?  Would you consider giving  an eczema acupuncture session a go?

In India, the neem tree is known as the “divine tree” and as the “village pharmacy”.  This ayurvedic leaf has powerful medicinal properties, including being an antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and an analgesic.   These properties make neem a very effective natural eczema remedy treatment.

Neem works by preventing bacteria from entering broken skin; it  also strengthens the immune system. Furthermore, neem is  an emollient that keeps dry skin moisturized.

In traditional Ayurveda, a paste from the neem leaves is rubbed directly over the affected areas. However, there are several ways to use this wonderful plant.

• Add neem oil to your bath and soak for 30 minutes.  You can also use a neem leaf extract made from a cup of tea of fresh or dried neem leaves.

• Rub neem lotion or cream on moist skin to lock in the moisture.

• Neem can also be ingested to boost immune system. Fresh neem leaves work best, but if you have yet to acquire the taste, there are neem supplements available.

If you opt to use neem oil, make sure you use cold-pressed oil that is not a refined extract.  You should also stay away from neem soap, as the other ingredients in the soap may be drying to the skin.

]]> http://eczemaremedyblog.com/eczema-remedy-spotlight/eczema-remedy-spotlight-neem/feed 0 http://eczemaremedyblog.com/eczema-in-the-news/how-a-popular-australian-tv-judge-cured-his-eczema http://eczemaremedyblog.com/eczema-in-the-news/how-a-popular-australian-tv-judge-cured-his-eczema#comments Fri, 15 May 2009 16:49:59 +0000 admin http://eczemaremedyblog.com/uncategorized/how-a-popular-australian-tv-judge-cured-his-eczema As mentioned in a previous post, finding the cause of eczema is essential to finding the remedy that works for you.  There is no “one size fits all” cause; contributing factors may stem from diet, allergies, family history, compromised immune system, etc.

In an inspiring article, MasterChef judge John Torode, gives his account on how he cured his eczema.  The cause- -an allergic reaction to the nightshade food family:

John says: ‘I cut out all the deadly nightshade family – potatoes, aubergines, cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers – I took out ginger, garlic and stopped drinking caffeine and ate a lot more green vegetables and herbs.’

Experts believe that touching these foods can trigger an allergy that exacerbates eczema when they are then eaten.

Incredibly, the eczema eased after a month and, even more incredibly, has never returned, even though he no longer follows a restricted diet or needs regular acupuncture sessions. He believes that this is because of the way the treatment helped him not just physically but emotionally, as well.”[source]

The article also explains why his diet works for him.  Nickel, the most common allergen that causes eczema, is found in the trace minerals in nightshades.  Now that is something to consider before you reach for your next baked potato.

This is a must-read for anyone who suffers from this condition.   Click here to read the rest of the article.

According to a study conducted at the Shiga University of Medical Science in Japan , oolong tea is so effective because of the anti- allergenic properties of the polyphenals. The subjects of the study drank three 10ml servings of the tea 3 times a day after meals. After one month, 63% of the tested patients showed improvement, and the effect was noticed as early as 1 or two weeks of treatment.  Another study of 100 patients showed that drinking a liter of oolong tea a day improved itching and inflammation.

Oolong tea is so promising because so many eczema sufferers testify to it’s effectiveness.  There is one word of caution, however: caffeine.  If you find that caffeine is an eczema trigger, try decaffeinated oolong tea, or you can decaffeinate it yourself.  Steep a teabag for 45 seconds in hot water, then pour out the liquid.  Add more hot water and steep normally.  This process releases up to 80 percent of the caffeine and the tea’s aroma and flavor is maintained.

Happy tea drinking!

An article in Science Daily suggests that fragrance ingredients in shampoos and conditioners can be the problem.  Studies conducted at Shalgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden indicated that “over 5% of those who underwent patch testing were allergic to the air oxidized form of the frangrance ingredient linalool”. The article then suggests that 60-80% of perfumed hygiene products and cleaning agents contain linalool.

Linalool is a naturally occuring compound found in a variety of plants, flowers and spices such as lavendar, rosewood and bergamot.  It is a colorless, fragrant substance that oxidizes when exposed to air.

Linalool may not be the only toxic chemical in your shampoo or conditioner: ingredients such as methylparaben, DMDM Hydantoin, and other additives may be doing more harm than good.  All of these ingredients are skin irritants and could very well trigger an allergic reaction. Fortunately, there are some possible alternatives: products on the market such as Aubrey Organics and Giovanni Cosmetics are free of these harsh chemicals and use more natural ingredients.

If you don’t want to go the “natural” products route, you can research the safety of your current products, and the ingredients in them that can cause irritability.  A wonderful site you can do this with is Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database, a nonprofit organization that rates the safety of over 42,000 products. It not only limited to haircare, you can find information on other skin-irritating products in makeup, skin care, nail care, and baby care.

Check your bathroom cabinets; your favorite products may be a contributing factor to your condition.

Click here to read more about how linalool may be a cause of eczema.

Probiotics has become  one of the latest dietary rages along with Superfood.  These mini microorganisms, called “good bacteria”, are known to  manage and prevent gastrointestinal infections as well as support a healthy digestive system.  But did you know that probiotics could be a possible eczema remedy?

Remedy experts Joe and Teresa Graedon over at Vindy.com claim that this may be the case.  Replying to a letter from an eczema sufferer asking for advice to keep it under control, the Graedon’s write that “Scientists have done controlled studies on two improbable approaches that proved helpful:  drinking oolong tea or taking probiotics such as Lactobacillus GG“.

How could this be?  One of the purported benefits of probiotics is strengthening of the immune system.  The immune system in turn can combat exposure to toxic substances, resist the negative effects of stress, and fight allergies.  Environmental toxins, stress, and allergies are all possible underlying causes of eczema.

The great thing is that probiotics are easily obtainable.  You can find these friendly flora at your local supermarket in the dairy section: yogurt or other fermented dairy products such as kefir, sour cream, and buttermilk all contain strains of lactic bacteria.  If you are an eczema sufferer who has eliminated dairy from your diet or is lactose intolerant, you may opt for fermented soy such as miso and tempah or take probiotics in supplement form.

So next time you have a “flair up” try ingesting a little bacteria…it may be just the eczema remedy you’ve been looking for!

Click here to read the article at Vindy.com