how to treat eczema fast

How to Treat Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) – Diagnosis & Treatment

Learn how to treat eczema fast at home in addition to over-the-counter medications for a complete relief.

Eczema – All You Need to Know:

Eczema (also known as Atopic Dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that makes your skin red, itchy and rough. It is a very common type of allergic reaction found in all men, women and even in infants and younger children.

To be precise, eczema is an umbrella term that describes a certain group of medical conditions that makes your skin red and itchy.

There are several types of eczema such as Atopic dermatitis, Contact dermatitis, Dyshidrotic eczema, Nummular eczema, Seborrheic dermatitis, Stasis dermatitis, Hand eczema, allergic asthma and Lichen simplex chronicus.

Allergic eczema
Allergic eczema

Surprisingly, people suffering from one type of eczema may get other types of eczema. This spreading or development depends upon various factors also known as triggers.

As per a population-based survey of eczema prevalence in the United States, over 30% of the population have some form of eczema. This accounts for more than 35 million people in the US alone. Interestingly, eczema is more common in females than males.

Alarmingly, more than 17% of the children under the age of 18 in the United States have atopic dermatitis. This increasing prevalence is more observed over the past several decades.

Some younger children outgrow this chronic condition, while others have recorded incidence and lifetime prevalence of eczema into adulthood.

Eczema – Signs & Symptoms:

Home Remedies For Eczema
Care_SMC via Flickr Creative Commons

Eczema (Atopic dermatitis) signs and symptoms can vary, depending upon the age of the person (infants, adolescence, and adulthood). Moreover, the symptoms are different for everyone.

The symptoms include redness, scaling, flakiness, and dry patches which are sometimes oozing and quite painful. It is shocking to observe that dry areas of the skin may lead to bleeding.

Generally, rashes prominently appear on the face, neck, elbows, and upper chest. Sometimes it may appear on any other parts of the body including eyelids, hands, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, and scalp.

Eczema is very irritating and stressful situation for individuals who suffer from it. Sometimes, it is very frustrating and difficult to handle. Scratching and rubbing (even if happen to do it accidentally) further irritates the skin, increase inflammation, and make itchiness worse.

Is Eczema Contagious From One Person to Another?

eczema non-contagious
Image Credit: NationalEczema

Eczema is not contagious. However, the children are prone to develop eczema if a parent has this chronic disorder. The risk is even higher when both the parents have Atopic dermatitis.

Then you might question “What is the main cause of eczema?” Though there is no specific cause for eczema to develop, scientific studies highlight that it is due to a mix of genetic and environmental factors.

As said earlier, there are studies that support the opinion that eczema is hereditary. While, other studies highlight that exposure to extreme hot and cold conditions (dry or cold weather), smoke, chemicals, detergents, stress aggravate your eczema.

Triggers that Cause Eczema to Flare and Make Your Skin Itchy:

It is better to avoid anything that triggers eczema, such as:

  • Extreme Temperature: dry or cold weather, colds or the flu, high or low humidity, sweating.
  • Foods: soya and dairy products, certain vegetables.
  • Allergens: seasonal pollens, pets, house dust mites, and animal dander.
  • Microbes: Bacteria, Fungi and viruses.
  • Environmental Irritants: household disinfectants, strong soaps and detergents, shampoos, chemicals, cigarette smoke, grass, sand, and fabrics such as wool, lanolin, polyester, and nylon.
  • Hormones: During pregnancy and menstrual cycle, women develop eczema due to the change in hormone levels.
  • Emotional Factors:: Stress aggravates eczema.
eczema triggers
EczemaLiving

Well, whatever may be the root cause, it is important to keep symptoms under control and treat eczema as early as possible.

How to Treat Eczema As per Dermatologists?

Heal your eczema from the inside out.

Remember there is no permanent cure for eczema (Atopic dermatitis) but top dermatologist’s treatments can ease the symptoms of eczema. The thing is you need to discover the root cause and put an end to all this suffering.

There is a myriad of ways to treat eczema. However, the right treatment depends upon the age, medical history and severity of the symptoms. Before starting any eczema treatment over the counter prescription medication, you need to watch for signs of infection.

As eczema is an unpredictable disease, you should learn more about it to find the right treatment for eczema.

Eczema Treatment over the counter
Image Credit: Garo/GettyImages

According to the dermatologists (skin specialist), topical corticosteroids form the mainstay of eczema treatment. Doctors even prescribe antibiotics and antihistamines to treat severe eczema alongside a bacterial skin infection.

Medications that act on the immune system also known as biologic drugs or “biologics” are undergoing a final review at the Food and Drug Administration.

Due to the steroid phobia and mistakes in its dosage and therapy, people seldom get suboptimal results.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Home Treatment and Remedies:

Thus, in spite of many advancements in the field of eczema research and clinical trials on new medicines, home treatment is considered to be an effective therapy. Specific natural and alternative treatments including at home skin-care routine is considered to be an effective method to treat severe eczema.

Living with atopic dermatitis (eczema) doesn’t have to be hard. Here is an easy to understand information on eczema home treatment to help you control the conditions like itching and redness.omplementary and alternative treatments for eczema.

There are several kinds of complementary and alternative treatments for eczema available which you can experiment and find the best for your skin. One should keep in mind that all kinds of eczema home remedies may not suit everyone.

natural home remedies

Moist Your Skin:

One of the most effective treatments for severe eczema is to moisturize your skin regularly to avoid dryness and further itching. As a general practice, experts suggest moisturizing the body within 3 minutes after you bathe or wash your hands.

Eczema patients have to take care of their lotions and creams as they might even irritate you. Due to the chemical composition and other substances, these skin care products make the condition even worse.

The best home remedy for eczema is massaging your skin with almond oil. This is very light oil which can easily absorb into the skin giving you relief from itching and burning.

Always take shorter lukewarm baths or showers. Use a non-soap cleanser when washing. Don’t use body scrubbers. Just pat dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing.

Wet Wrap Therapy: Getting sealed with a wrap of wet gauze is an innovative treatment for severe eczema.

According to National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, this wet wrap therapy includes three lukewarm baths a day, each followed by an application of topical medicines and moisturizer that is sealed in by a wrap of wet gauze.

Wet Wrap Therapy eczema
Image Credit: NIAID

Skin Care at Home Using Natural Remedies for Eczema:

Diet and Nutritional Supplements also play an important role in treating established atopic eczema (dermatitis). Certain dietary supplements (probiotics, fish oil, primrose oil, borage seed oil, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B6, sunflower oil etc) not only give you eczema relief but also cure the root cause.

In addition to the moisturizing as a treatment for eczema, you should consider other effective natural remedies and simple lifestyle changes for treating eczema at home. Thankfully, these tips help you to get rid of eczema easily.

  • Keep your fingernails clipped short thus potentially contributing less scratching of your skin.
  • Some find eczema relief by applying nutmeg paste prepared by rubbing nutmeg against a smooth stone using little water.
  • Vitamin B6 deficiency may result in skin rashes called seborrheic dermatitis. Eczema symptoms could be cured by increasing the intake of Vitamin B6.
  • To avoid eczema, the foremost thing to do is to hydrate your body as frequently as possible by drinking plenty of fluids and water.
  • Another important home remedy for eczema is camphor and sandalwood paste. Applying the paste twice a day for one week gives you a good result.
  • Managing stress and depression through yoga and meditation foster a deep state of relaxation.

By a quick comparison, one can easily say that these home remedies for eczema are natural, safe and it is for sure that they definitely suit your skin.

Over to you …

By following the home remedies for eczema carefully, you can treat the condition effectively. It all needs some patience to get the results.

Want to know more in detail about home remedy for eczema, then visit Eczema Free You that helps you to get rid of eczema in as little as 10 days.

how to treat eczema free you

Image Credit: katharine shields via Flickr Creative Commons
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