Eczema can begin at birth or early childhood and is common in people with a family history. Unfortunately, it affects infants also. Living with eczema is not at all easy, trying to resist itching and trying to get relief from the rashes. All one wants is relief from eczema.
Before you jump to try out various products for instant relief, let’s understand Eczema.
Eczema –
The medical term is ‘Atopic dermatitis’. It’s a common condition that makes your skin red, itchy, hot, dry and inflamed. Dermatitis means superficial inflammation of the epidermis i.e outer skin.
There are several types of eczema that may be acute or chronic. Eczema is seen even in infants. It occurs mostly on cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp, forehead and neck in infants. The cause of eczema is inheritance usually or developed due to disorders such as asthma, hay fever, food allergies, etc. However, the exact cause is unknown.
Symptoms –
The symptoms can be mild to severe and commonly found are redness, swelling, cracking, scaling, stretch marks, pigmentation and a persistent itchy rash on the skin.
Ayurveda –
Eczema is known as ‘Vicharchika’ in Ayurveda and attributes to a poor diet which aggravates pitta dosha. Pitta shows up as blisters on your skin due to the accumulation of toxins inside. Eczema may also be caused due to an imbalance of other doshas and accordingly, the symptoms of eczema vary.
Ayurvedic remedies suggest the use of herbs or Panchakarma for better results. Neem, Aloe, Shatavari, Honey, Turmeric, Manjishtha are the most effective herbs used in the treatment of Eczema in Ayurveda.
Natural Remedies for Eczema
Coconut oil
It is a natural moisturizer and has the anti-bacterial property that prevents infection.
Sunflower oil
Sunflower oil hydrates the skin and relieves itching as well as inflammation. It also protects the skin’s outer layer by keeping the bacteria out.
Olive oil
A natural oil that has anti-inflammatory properties and rubbing some in the affected areas, softens the patches. Including olive oil into your diet can help you heal inside out.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and nourishing properties. Tea tree oil can treat various skin conditions. When combined with olive oil, it curbs the itching and softens the dried skin.
Apple cider vinegar
Topical application of diluted apple cider vinegar on the skin may help balance skin’s acidity levels and helps fight bacteria.
Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera has the capability to soothe eczema. It has wound healing properties that soothe skin and promotes healing. Moreover, it is antibacterial and antimicrobial that prevents skin infections.
Jojoba Oil
It is not oil as the name suggests, instead, it’s a liquid wax similar to sebum. It can penetrate through the skin easily and moisturizes it.
You can do a lot of other things to keep eczema under control or manage easily with certain lifestyle changes. For example – do not take long, hot showers. Hot water makes your skin dry, so you could opt for lukewarm bath and don’t rub to dry yourself. Gently pat until it’s partly dry and immediately apply moisturizer. Select a moisturizer that is thick in the form of cream or ointment and not lotions or liquid moisturizers. Oils work well in keeping your skin moisturized throughout the day. Avoid using scented products that may irritate your skin.
With these tips and effective remedies that you can easily do at home, you can certainly get eczema under your control and might overcome it soon.
