Eczema Home Remedies
July 23rd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Skin is the largest organ in the human body. It is vital to our survival. Any contact with the skin can affect it. The right element can do major damage and should be avoided. Eczema, which occurs right from the newborn to the elderly, can be of many different types. Eczema is one of the few conditions where home remedies are found to be effective. There are a number of home remedies that offer relief and in some cases a cure. Here are several home remedies for treatment of several different forms of eczema. These home remedies can offer instant relief to eczema sufferers.
· Take nutmeg with a little bit of water and rub it on a smooth stone. This will create a paste which can be applied to the affected area for a few minutes. Follow this with a thorough rinsing with water.
· One of the wonder drugs or vitamins in the fight against eczema and the associated itching is Vitamin E. A natural product, vitamin E provides relief from itching by ridding the affected area of the microbes that are the source of irritation in eczema. One caveat with vitamin E, make sure it is the real thing. Synthetic vitamin E can’t be used by the body. The method to determine whether the vitamin E is natural or synthetic is by looking at one of its main ingredients. Alpha-tocopherol which is the technical name for vitamin E is usually preceded by either a “dl” or “d”. The “dl” signifies synthethic vitamin E. Make sure the active ingredient is preceded by “d”.
· Here is a solution that comes with a recipe.
One teaspoon white oak bark
One teaspoon of the herb, comfrey root
One teaspoon of slippery elm bark
2 cups of water
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and then boil for about 30 minutes. Use the resulting solution to wash the affected area.
· One of the elements in blueberry leaves is a form of natural acid that can decrease swelling or inflammation in the affected areas. There are extracts and lotions that contain the eczema fighting active ingredient of blueberry leaves. This topical solution can be used long term to help you face the discomfort of eczema.
· Moisturizers and emollients can help by moistening the affected area thereby relieving some if the constant itching. Use frequently for best results. The emollient should have some sort of fat content. Fat content will seal the moisture inside the skin. It is recommended you use this after showering or bathing so that the moisture that escapes with the hot water is replaced in your skin.
· Another remedy involves a teaspoon of both camphor and sandalwood paste. The resulting paste should be applied to the infected area to protect and soothe it.
· One of the more effective methods of treating eczema is with the use of zinc. Zinc can be taken orally or rubbed into the skin.
· Pine tar soap is also effective in the treatment of eczema. Washing the affected area will decrease the itch and irrigate the skin keeping it moist.
· Another oral remedy is tomato juice. Tomato juice contains anti-oxidants which are vital to skin condition.
Diets for eczema are a bit of a misnomer since diet alone will not cause eczema. There must be the presence of certain genes that cause eczema. If you have those genes, then it is recommended that you avoid the items that cause the allergies. Things like dairy products, eggs, nuts, citrus fruits and preservatives can trigger eczema in a person disposed to having eczema problems.
Dry and scaly skin must go
Ken
Eczema Herpeticum
June 7th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Eczema Herpeticum manifests itself as a circularized infection of herpes. These are frequently found where there have been epidermal disruptions such as burns, atopic dermatitis, eczema, etc. The cause of this condition is related to the organism found in Herpes Simplex 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2). Very painful reactions are suffered by people with this condition. Eczema Herpeticum is only one of the affects of the viruses, as the brain, eyes, liver, lungs and other vital organs can also be affected. The treatment for this disorder usually involves antiviral drugs such as valaciclovir and acyclovir.
When this virus, herpes simplex gets entry in atopic dermatitis skin lesions, Eczema Herpeticum is caused. This is an extremely severe and life threatening disease. Though it is not a common infection, it can occur in people of all the ages and genders. Those who are infected by this virus may not even know that the herpes simplex virus has infected them.
Symptoms of eczema Herpeticum: the first symptom is seen in 5-12 days after being infected by the virus and then it results in-
- Dry, inflamed, itchy and red skin with watery blisters on them
- The affected area becomes very itchy with the formation of small blisters that become crusted.
If the condition is not treated they may become worse in the following stages:
- Formation of multiple watery blisters on the skin.
- Blisters eventually spread to other areas of the skin causing bleeding, erosion and crusty skin
- At this stage it becomes very painful
- The viral infection spreads throughout the body causing swollen lymph nodes and accompanied by fever.
- This result in the development of the secondary bacterial infection often tends to erode the affected area.
Steps you should take to reduce symptoms and avoid further risks:
- Avoid scratching skin and keep your fingernails short to reduce the damage of scratching
- Make sure that the dust in your residence is kept to a minimum by vacuuming and dusting to reduce the dust mite population
- Follow a regular routine of skin care as advised by your dermatologist
- Bathing should be in lukewarm water along with emollients. Avoid staying for a long time in the bath.
- Use prescribed moisturizers and creams for your skin in addition to your favorite emollient.
- Avoid rubbing your skin to get it dry after bathing. Pat your skin to get it dry.
- Protect your skin with rubber gloves when handling detergents, chemicals or solvents.
Treatment of Eczema Herpeticum
Seek immediate medical care for the treatment of Eczema Herpeticum. Treatment is much more effective if the diagnosis is made early enough. Your dermatologist can recommend any number of anti-viral medicines that suit you and your condition. Medicines for relieving pain may seem to be helpful and provide relief. When you go to a dermatologist, they may perform specific tests to determine the virus and the appropriate therapy.
Ken
Eczema Eyelid
May 27th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Signs of eczema eyelid are scaling, erythema (redness of the skin) and edema (excess fluid). These conditions are also associated with burnings and pruritus (itchiness). A couple of causes are skin irritants and allergens in the atmosphere. Because of the thin, sensitive skin near and around the eyes, the eyelids are easily susceptible to irritants and allergens. Some other causes could be hypersensitivity to environmental allergens like dust, mold or pollens. Eczema eyelids could also be the result of seborrhoeic (excessive oily skin) dermatitis.
Eczema is an underrated disorder that is frequently overlooked. It has devastating effects and the treatment of this condition is really hard. When the eczema begins to spread towards the eyelids, it is a condition that cannot be tolerated by many people. Eczema eyelid is associated with the itching and the pain.
Itchy, inflamed and scaly skin
In adults the skin may become too dry; whereas in children it becomes weepy.
Mild eczema is associated with a small irritation; whereas severe eczema becomes unbearable, leading to disruption at work or at home, low self esteem, depression and sleep disturbances.
Prevention of eczema eyelid
It is said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So it is with eczema. The best time to fight eczema is to prevent it before it occurs. Some allergens that are difficult to avoid are present in the air itself. Allergens can be reduced in and around your house with the use of air filters, allergen-tight bedding, or anti-allergen cleaning products.
Treatment of eczema eyelid
The typical treatment for eczema eyelids is comprised of a series of corticosteroids, but their use has some side effects causing the thinning of the skin or enlargement of the blood vessels. The new advanced treatments do not have such risks. This new treatment is called topical immunomodulators. They are safe to treat the sensitive areas of the eyes.
The patient suffering from eczema eyelid should generally avoid all possible irritants and allergens. They should stop using cosmetics and the skin products that cause irritation to the eyes. They should also avoid scratching and rubbing of the eyes. Sometimes a moisturizer is what the doctor will prescribe for temporary relief.
One important thing to remember is that your eczema can be worsened with stress. So, give yourself time to involve yourself in those activities that you like and will promote relaxation. Meditation, yoga, creative pastimes or any other hobby work well to reduce your stress.
Ken
Nummular Eczema
May 17th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
The medical term for nummular eczema is nummular eczematous dermatitis. This skin disorder manifests itself in patches of round coin-sized discolored skin. Allergies to medicine are a likely cause of nummular eczema. People who have dry skin are frequent sufferers of this disorder. It also increases in the winter (drier cold air). The condition gets worse with soaps, woolen garments or taking more than one bath per day. The irritation of the skin can be made worse with detergents, soaps and roughly textured clothing. It can also get worse with using liquid hand soaps or fabric softeners.
Extreme climatic conditions may aggravate the eczema. Medical allergies may worsen the diseases but they cannot be the cause for eczema. There is no known cure against eczema, but there are effective ways of controlling it. High-powered prescribed ointments can be applied over the affected area. However, these ointments should not be used in armpits, rectal area, groin and face. It is recommended to rub these ointments into the skin with a light massage. The application of the ointment depends on the severity of the disorder but in most of the cases applying the ointment once a day on the affected area is considered to be sufficient. Nevertheless, if the disorder continues, then dermatology tests are recommended.
Eczema can be of various types and the severity of the disorder may vary from person to person. Ointments with a percentage of coal tar are effective for people suffering from scaly nummular eczema, but this ointment can leave stains and smells on clothes. Taking oral medicines and antibiotics may also be needed in some cases. Severe cases can be cured by taking prescribed internal medicines and injections. Itching is often accompanied with the rashes of the disorder. Ultraviolet ray’s treatments, which are given in the dermatology clinics, are an effective way to control the constant itching eruptions.
It is recommended to keep the skin moist by applying Alpha- Keri oil or the Neutrogena oil after a shower. Another option is Vaseline which is not too greasy and can be applied over the affected areas. Maintaining clean hygienic habits will lessen the disorder and help heal the eczema faster. Take a bath or a shower once a day to keep the skin lubricated. Do not use very hot water for a bath as this might dry the skin. Wipe the body with a clean towel instead of rubbing it with the towel. Do not dry the skin completely. Do not use harsh soaps for cleaning the skin as it dries the skin completely thus increasing the chances of eczema.
Keep the use of soaps to a minimum while washing the face, armpits, feet and the genital areas. Use mild soaps like Dove, Cetaphil, and Oil of Olay etc instead of using concentrated soaps. Keep away from all the synthetic clothing materials like wool. It is recommended to use soft cotton clothes. Use the perfume free and the dye free detergents for washing and laundering the clothes. Controlling the causes that elevate eczema will definitely help in keeping a control over this disorder.
Check out these remedies brought to us by our friends at Cleopatra’s Choice
Ken
Eczema Lotions
May 13th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Eczema is an inflammation of the upper layer of skin which is commonly known as dermatitis. Eczema usually describes swollen, reddened and itchy skin. Different types of eczema are atopic eczema, contact dermatitis, xerotic eczema and the most common type, seborrhoeic dermatitis. Causes of eczema can be dust mites, animal saliva, stress, soaps, detergents, disinfectants along with a host of other contributors. To treat eczema, an in-depth analysis is needed to determine the type and treatments available.
Primarily typical eczema lotion is used in treatment. This eczema lotion acts in many ways. The infected site is often irritated and inflamed and so applying the eczema lotion gives a very soothing effect on inflamed skin and it keeps skin hydrated. Maintaining adequate moisture will definitely relieve the pain of dry skin and reduce scaling and inflammation. Eczema lotion helps in maintaining adequate moisture level.
The cooling effect of eczema lotions offers considerable relief to the constant itching and resulting mental distress. Unlike other creams, eczema lotions are easy to spread evenly over a large surface area. Many eczema lotions contain active ingredients which aid in the healing of damaged skin and which act against pathogens that cause irritation and eruptions.
Many eczema lotions available on the market have immediate remedial effect. This means that after their application you can immediately feel the soothing effect. Many times eczema is accompanied by small breaks in the skin, so you can feel the relief even before you finish applying lotion. When anyone is in acute pain it may not be possible to spend time getting information on various types of lotion, so it is advisable to follow the doctor’s prescription or go with the advice of a pharmacist.
Calamine lotion has also been proven effective in the treatment of eczema. Primary ingredients of calamine lotions are zinc oxide and ferrous oxide. Zinc oxide has properties that make it useful for certain skin diseases, including eczema. This zinc powder is a strong antiseptic and it absorbs moisture which makes it good for eczema with weeping sores. Calamine lotion is water insoluble; it protects the skin and keeps it dry when alkaline liquids encounter the affected area. Calamine lotion is effective but high dosage of ferrous oxide and zinc compounds can be harmful to the skin. Therefore, it is advisable to use calamine lotion only for a limited time period.
Most ingredients of eczema lotions will dry away or break down after application. In skin, new cells are formed all the time and old cells are cast off, so the skin layer on which you had applied lotion doesn’t remain in place for long. Combating stress along with eczema lotions will help you in the treatment, because stress levels can lead to new eruptions and itching.
Eczema lotions are effective and popular because of their ease of application. The degree and duration of the effect will depend on specific ingredients and individual skin types. Many a time combination therapy is used to treat eczema and lotion is used only to give a temporary cooling effect. A good quality eczema lotion is effective on only the outer layer of skin. It acts to form a protective layer which keeps chemicals out and keeps moisture in which allows for faster healing.
Ken
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Baby Acne Eczema
May 11th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
About 3 weeks of age is when most babies start to display baby acne eczema. The delicate face of the newborn is covered with red bumps and rashy looking patches. It can look like pimples and mostly appears on the cheeks and forehead. It may also appear on the back. There are a number of possible causes for baby acne eczema. The prominent pimple marks appear worse when the baby is hot and fussy. Spit up milk, strong soap or chemical detergents used to wash the babies clothes may also irritate the skin to the point of baby acne eczema.
If your baby has small pimples on the face just after birth then it does not mean that the baby is suffering from baby acne eczema, it may happen that the bumps will disappear on their own after a few weeks. There may be another condition like cradle cap that irritates the baby but is not as severe as baby acne. It generally occurs at the same age when baby crests gas production.
* Somewhat fleshy and reddish pimples occur mostly on the cheeks forehead and chin.
* Whiteheads can be found.
* It appears when the baby has high fever and his skin is irritated.
* If baby clothes are washed in harsh detergents, the skin reacts and gets affected.
Baby acne eczema develops from the maturing effects of mother’s hormones. Its affects remain until approximately 4 and 6 months of age. Doctors diagnose the disease based on timing and external appearance.
The exact cause of baby acne eczema is undefined but generally baby acne eczema is an allergic disease. Some babies react to mother’s milk but usually outgrow the condition. In cases where the mother is taking certain medicines while nursing and the baby is also taking some other medicine, then the potential for side effects are magnified. One of these side effects could be baby acne eczema.
It occurs due to the hormonal changes in the baby a few weeks after birth. When baby clothes are washed in harsh detergents, the skin reacts with rashes and irritation.
Usually there is no need for special treatment. Gently cleansing the face once a day with water will help a lot. Don’t scrub the baby; baby acne eczema is not caused by dirt. Too much washing may cause irritation to the skin so don’t cleanse the baby again and again. Try to use mild baby soaps for the baby bath. Oils, lotions or any kind of moisturizer should be avoided because of the potential for a severe reaction. If the acne lasts for more than 6 months, your pediatrician may prescribe easygoing medicine.
Ken
