Eczema is a skin disorder with itching and exudation. It mostly affects the areas which are under frictional stress like thigh curves, knee backs, armpits, etc.
Also, it can appear on the palm and foot when exposed to irritants
The region affected is susceptible, with signs of itch, irritation, and inflammation.
Eczema is not a deadly or life-threatening disease, but its symptoms greatly disrupt a normal lifestyle.
Though incurable, it can be well treated and controlled. Treatment is by the use of drugs, and control is by restraining from things that trigger its aggression.
Besides physician prescription, one can follow these natural methods to control the symptoms.
Eczema arises whenever the circumstances provide for it. So it is good to be aware of those conditions and take the precautions needed.
The affected individual must have an idea of materials or substances from which he has to abstain. The materials which are to be avoided vary from person to person.
So, everyone can have their list of things to abstain from to control or treat his eczema.
Eczema symptoms
A typical eczema appearance on the skin is,
♥ Red patch with exudation (weeping) causing tingling, itching, smarting, and blisters.
♥ The fluid in vesicles becomes turbid, milky, and discharged due to vesicle rupture in 5 to 6 days, forming thin crusts on the surface.
♥ In severe eczema cases, there may be an occurrence of fever, headache, anorexia, etc.
What causes eczema?
Causes of eczema include
a) Individual constitution, i.e., irritability and hereditary aspects.
b) Stress due to overwork, anxiety, irregular habits.
c) It may occur due to teething in childhood or due to dys-menorrhea (improper & painful menstrual periods) in a woman.
d) In babies due to soiled undergarments by urine, poor nutrition, etc.
e) In adults, due to uncleanliness and excess sweating. Hence you can see symptoms outbreak seasonally. It may be due to heat in summer or excess moisture in the rainy season.
Indigestion is also a prominent cause of eczema.
Eczema is commonly found in body regions like the corners of thighs, scalp, behind the ears, the face, hands, and legs. This is further seen in obese patients due to excess folds in the body. So follow these tips for weight loss.
Eczema treatment by medicine
The physician tries to treat eczema from external means mostly. But, indeed, it is not caused solely by external irritation. So one needs to be treated from internal besides external help for the symptoms to subside.
To get prompt relief from symptoms, apply an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal combination cream in the area. Even you may be prescribed an antihistamine (anti-allergy drug). This, if applied for a day or two, will relieve symptoms greatly.
Besides these physician-prescribed medicines, one can use natural means to treat and prevent eczema symptoms.
Eczema home remedies
Eczema can be treated and handled well by natural and preventive means. Any natural medicine which controls microbial growth prevents inflammation and soothes the skin can be used. Here are a few of them
When you suffer from eczema, apply either
a) Coconut oil (anti-microbial, soothing agent, and also humidifier)
b) Honey (if small flare) (anti-microbial, humidifier)
c) Turmeric (anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial)
d) Aloe vera: Aloe vera gel is a humidifier and also a soothing agent.
Besides, if you are short of vitamins and suffer from eczema, Vit-D & Vit-E supplements help in relief. Also, check the herbs for eczema.
Eczema Precautions:
Eczema is not a curable disease as far as I know. Though the symptoms subside and do not appear for a year or two, they can still reappear. So here are the precautionary tips for subsiding it. Also, these tips help to prevent it from getting worse when the symptoms start to appear.
Diet: Diet plays an important role in eczema. Whatever we feed inside shows its effects outside. Many individuals have an incompatibility with certain foods, which can trigger eczema.
In general, people may not be compatible with dairy products, poultry products, wheat, seafood, potatoes, citrus fruits, etc. So when there are symptoms of eczema, having these foods tend to aggravate it. The aim is to recognize which are those foods allergenic and avoid them. The food we consume should not be allergenic, not overheat the body to trigger the eczema symptoms.
During times of severe eczema, to get immediate relief to alter the diet. Consume more fruits and avoid spicy food altogether. Even avoid the use of wheat-related food if you reside in warm countries. It is better to stay on a milk diet, and if you desire to have food, it should preferably be a vegetarian diet.
Soap for eczema: Haven’t you noticed that eczema worsens by applying soap in the region? Soaps made of sodium or other cationic metals enrage eczema. They are harsh on the skins and even leave moisture. Sodium is also an ion that holds up water, so it may help retain moisture for a long. So try to use organic soaps that are not irritating to the skin. Even rinse the clothes thoroughly to remove the allergenic soap used during washing after bathing allows the area to remain dry. Use a fan or blower in cold mode.
Avoid heat and sweat: Heat and sweat act as a trigger for eczema. Even there are cases where extreme cold stimulates eczema. But many experience trouble during heat seasons. Try to stay in places of average room temperature and avoid sweating.
Clothes: Eczema clothing is a crucial remedial measure. Try to wear clothes that are not abrasive on your skin. Clothes made of wool, polyester, acrylic, etc., are to be avoided. 100% Cotton organic clothes are best and advisable for undergarments, gloves, and nightclothes. Even try to use undergarments made of cotton or organic fiber, especially if the eczema is near the groin.
Used dry Clothes: Eczema is worse, mostly in the rainy season and in summers. In the rainy season as one might mistakenly wear partially dried undergarments. Avoiding wearing somewhat dried clothes promotes the growth of fungi-like infections, making the condition worse.
Reduce Stress: Stress is the primary factor and contributor to eczema. It can be both mental and physical stress which has to be reduced in control of eczema. Stress contributes to chronic eczema symptoms. So if you are stressed, reduce it by exercises, yoga, or meditation.
Also besides, try to keep the area dry with access to free air circulation.
It is good to clear the fluid and apply a moisturizer if it is too severe or even oozing.
Use soft water, i.e., water without calcium or other salts, to clean the area.
Homeopathic remedy option: This is an interesting medicine system that claims to relieve and also cure eczema. My advice is to find an expert homeopathy physician and give symptoms and disease history in detail. Try Sulphur-30 thrice daily for 3 days, and you may notice remarkable relief of eczema symptoms. If so, you may better consult a homeopath for your problem.
I have been struggling with eczema and have been seeking treatment for it lately. My skin must really not like heat or sweat, because those are my biggest triggers. My eczema seems to get worse when I am exercising, because I do sweat. Do you think that it is possible to get to a point where my eczema can clear up and exercising doesn’t affect my skin like that?