Eczema Archives - Page 4 of 5 - Skin Disease Remedies

how to get rid of baby eczema

All of a sudden celebrations of a new born baby turn to sadness, when red itchy patches appear on baby’s silky skin. Experts say, often the culprit is eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. If you don’t pay attention, eczema may get worse and lead to serious injuries.

According to studies, 20 percent of babies are affected by eczema. Unfortunately, steroids and creams may not work for all, because your baby may be allergic to the ingredients incorporated in the steroids. This is where you need to bring natural remedies to get rid of baby eczema.

So, how to get rid of baby eczema?

1. Stay Away from Eczema Irritants

Your baby’s skin may have allergies to metals, perfumes, dyes and ingredients in the cream. Once you see red rashes do check the ingredients and seek doctor’s suggestion. Baby soaps, which come with fragrance smell, may contain harmful chemicals that stripes natural moisture from your baby’s skin.

So select soap with no harsh chemicals and use natural moisturizes like coconut oil or castor oil. Even clothing can trigger eczema; avoid cloths that may stimulate itching. Use lightweight and breathable fabrics.

2. Eczema and Food Allergy Link

American Academy of Pediatrics claim that introduction of solid food may have impact on eczema development. So it’s recommended by experts to avoid solid food until 6 months of age and cow milk should be delayed until 1 year of age. Anyhow, there are very few studies to back these theories.

You may not know but your baby may be allergic to certain foods. Consult an allergist and discuss about the possible irritants in food. Else you can do it yourself by avoiding certain food items and see the change in eczema flare-ups.

3. Stop the Baby Scratching

Repeated scratching may leave scars behind on her skin. Eczema triggers heavy itching, so you must resist your baby from scratching. First thing is to keep nails short and use mittens to cover her hands.

Related post: How to keep the neck of a baby dry

4. Eczema Medication

Sometimes all the above things fail to get rid of baby eczema. One such parent increased the treatment dose by taking utmost care like using steroids, applying Vaseline to keep the skin hydrated and avoiding all irritants, but their struggle didn’t turned up. So, the doctor recommended her the strong steroid cream called triamcinolone acetonide, with which the red rashes cleared up completely.

Other mom, just shift their attention towards natural remedies to get rid of baby eczema like the one mom from England did. After trying steroids and creams recommended by physician and dermatologist she tired virgin coconut oil. Within weeks she started seeing positive results.

What I think from above cases is one solution or remedy will not work for all. Research, check and then try, to see the results.

Must read: Mom after struggling for her baby’s eczema writes a guide

Oatmeal Bath for Baby Eczema

You can hydrate your baby’s skin using this homemade remedy. Ingredients include virgin olive oil, baking soda and oats. Olive oil is renowned for its moisturizing properties, baking soda treats itchiness and oats cleanse dead cells on the skin.

Things you’ll need

Virgin olive oil – 3 tbsp
Baking soda – 1/4 cup
Oats (finely grounded) – 1/2 cup

Add all mentioned ingredients to bath tub and soak for about 15-20 minutes. Oats must be grounded finely, else they may settle at the bottom of the tub. To distribute evenly, mix thoroughly. Limit the use of baking soda as your baby’s skin is sensitive.

Note: Because of moisturizer, tub will be slippery. Take care of your baby. (source)

Try Apple Cider Vinegar to Get Rid of Baby Eczema on Face

Exceptional properties in ACV can moisturize your baby’s skin and reduce itching. Use it on face or add it to her bath tub, it turns out to be one of the effective remedy.

Add few drops of ACV in water; you can also add honey to add sweetness. Or directly apply over eczema affected area after diluting with water. Don’t use concentrated vinegar over skin; dilute it using essential oil or water.

Wrap up

World Health Organization recommends breast milk until 6 months of age, and then continue breastfeed with food until 2 years of age.
Studies prove that applying breast milk on baby eczema flare ups may treat or reduce them.
Use natural remedies like virgin coconut oil to moisturize baby’s skin.
Mother must avoid diet that may trigger allergies. Like peanuts, diary product and tree nuts. Else breast milk may turn out as irritant, studies prove.

Source

Share your story, how did you get rid of baby eczema?

Image source

Eczema

Can Breast Milk Treat Baby Eczema?

ByMoin Nex

Being a father or a mother, baby eczema may worry you more than anything. The red itchy patches over your baby’s silky skin will not just ruin appearance but it triggers pain. Atopic dermatitis or eczema affects 20 percent of infants.

Though there is a long list of steroids and creams for treating eczema flare ups, it may not work for all. This is the time when parents look for a natural remedy for their lovely baby. Most of them over the web claim that breast milk for baby eczema works effective. Let’s, check out what’s true.

Must read: Is Eczema Contagious?

An Evidence Based Approach: Breast Milk and Baby Eczema

Studies prove that breastfeeding till 2 years of age will form a protective layer from atopic dermatitis. However, other cases have shown no or side-effects of breastfeeding for eczema.
The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding up to 6 months and continue it up to 2 years. American Academy of Pediatrics, claim that early introduction of solid food for baby may affect development of atopic dermatitis. Experts there recommend avoiding the solid food until 6 months of age, including cow milk till 12 months of age. (Anyway, studies are lacking to prove food is the main trigger for eczema.)(1)
Experts say cow’s milk has 20 potential allergens, which may trigger eczema in your child.
The main cause behind eczema in children based on research is family linkage to eczema. Chances of eczema transferring from parents or other family members are more. (2)

breast milk for baby eczema

So, studies conclude that it’s not same for all. Breast milk may or may not work for your baby, I recommend to first test with breast milk under the supervision of a doctor. If rashes increases, then conclude that breast milk consists of some allergens. So the mother needs to stop eating allergic foods like wheat & corn, eggs, dairy products, soy, peanuts and food additives.

How to Use Breast Milk for Baby Eczema?

Marcie from Simplyrealmoms.com suggests applying breast milk over affected area and continuing with breastfeeding. Avoid having allergic foods mentioned above. She continues sharing that using breast milk you can cure ear, eye and minor cuts.

Best way to use breast milk is to fill ice cube tray with breast milk and freeze it. When it’s completely frozen, pop the breast milk cube to use it on flare ups. This way you’ll have enough amounts in hand to use.

Must read: 33 uses of breast milk

Alternate Remedies for Baby Eczema

As studies prove, it may not work for all. So in that case, a mom shared her alternate natural remedy to fight baby eczema and shared her awesome story with the internet.

Heidi Carolan from England visited doctor as soon as she noticed red rashes over her baby’s cheek. Even after using several creams eczema never reduced. So they visited a dermatologist, but that too went in vain. Creams never reduced eczema, but just increased them. Noticing that her baby may be allergic to ingredients in the cream, Carolan started surfing web for natural remedies and found coconut oil to be more effective.

She started using virgin coconut oil and soap nuts (from soapberry tree), after boiling the nut she made the liquid form of it as baby’s shampoo. With this combination she noticed a significant change in eczema flare ups. Now, when she looks back at her son’s photos with eczema she recalls what she went through at the time. (source)

If you can’t use soap nuts, just use virgin coconut oil over baby’s skin to treat eczema. It will give your baby instant relief from itching.

Share your views on using breast milk for baby eczema in comments.

Eczema

Coconut Oil for Eczema and Psoriasis

ByMoin Nex

coconut oil for eczema and psoriasis

As most of are aware of this chronic skin disease, eczema starts from childhood and unfortunately there is no permanent cure for this disorder. But no need to worry you can reduce eczema flare-ups using natural remedies and steroids if you prefer.

According to patient.co.uk, moisturizing elements can effectively decrease eczema. Because, dry patches appeared over different parts of the skin will stimulate itching, resulting in serious wounds. Moisturizers hydrate your skin and restrain itching. Coconut oil is the most common and most useful natural remedy according to me, as it’s affordable and we all have it.

Is Coconut Oil Good for Eczema?

Yes. This home available oil has emollient agents that hydrate your skin from outside. Its absorbing property helps to enter deeper layers of the skin and enhance collagen production.

Same goes for psoriasis, you can’t permanently treat it, and good news is you can reduce itchy patches completely. Your skin secrets natural oil called sebum to keep itself hydrated, when it fails because of dehydration or some other hormonal problem dry skin appears leading to itching.

You can’t resist yourself from scratching, can you? Topically apply coconut oil for eczema and psoriasis will give you instant relief from itching and assorted properties housed in coconut oil will fight bacteria and restrain its growth.

But, remember that coconut oil can’t treat eczema or psoriasis permanently. So you must stay away from eczema triggers, mean avoid eating or wearing substances that may trigger eczema and psoriasis.

How to Use Coconut Oil for Eczema?

To reap all innate properties residing in coconut oil, experts suggest selecting unrefined or virgin coconut oil for eczema and other skin diseases.

Wash the eczema affected area with water and pat dry. Avoid scratching and stay away from hot water.
Take few drops of store bought virgin coconut oil in your left palm and with right hand fingers topically apply the oil over eczema and psoriasis affected areas.
Leave it to dry naturally.
Repeated the process daily twice or thrice depending on eczema severity.

Studies conclude that people who use coconut oil in diet stay healthy compared to others, and let me clear this to you, though coconut oil has saturated fat it doesn’t clog pores and is not associated with cardiovascular problem. (1)

Alternatively you can mix other vegetable oils with coconut oil to treat eczema.

Also read: 25 Uses of Coconut Oil for Skin

1. Coconut Oil and Vitamin E Oil for Eczema

Add 2-3 table spoon of coconut oil to 2 table spoon of vitamin E oil and rosemary oil.
Mix all ingredients in a bowl thoroughly.
Wash your affected area with water.
Pat dry with soft cloth and apply this lotion over eczema flare ups.
Let it dry naturally. You can rinse it off with water later.

2. Using Coconut Oil Internally

Not just externally, you must fight eczema internally. Easiest way to do that is to take 4-5 tbsp of virgin coconut oil as supplement in your diet.
Properties packed in this oil will fight free radicals and improve your overall health.

Here goes a long list of coconut oil recipes.

3. Coconut Oil and Olive Oil Mash to Treat Eczema and Psoriasis

Olive oil is renowned for its moisturizing properties. Antioxidants agents, vitamin E and A housed in this oil will help you to fight free radicals and enhance skin texture.

On the other hand, fatty acids packed in coconut oil contain antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties that will restrain infection and hydrates the skin from outside.

Take 3 table spoon of virgin coconut oil and add 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil.
Optionally you can mix essential oil.
Stir thoroughly and refrigerate for future use.

There are plenty of other innate ingredients, which you can mix with coconut oil. But I personally prefer only coconut oil for my dry itchy skin.

How to Use Coconut Oil for Eczema on Scalp?

Above I discussed on how to use coconut oil for eczema on skin and hands, both goes same. Coming to hair or scalp, itching and flaky scalp are symptoms of eczema on scalp (we call it has Seborrheic Dermatitis). It’s a real discomfort and will ruin your physical appearance.

Best time to apply virgin coconut oil over scalp is before going to bed.
Wash your hands and pour few drops of coconut oil in your left palm.
Using your right hand fingers apply the oil on scalp starting from the right side of your head.
Then come to left side and then at the end make sure you evenly applied the oil.
Coconut oil now has all the night to heal eczema flare ups, in the morning take bath with a shampoo and follow with a conditioner.

Note: Consult your physician if you see increase in hair fall.

Related: Zinc oxide for eczema

Coconut Oil for Baby Eczema

Carolan from England shared her experience on baby eczema on internet. Like an average parent they visited doctor as soon as eczema flare ups appeared over her baby’s cheek. Even after using creams suggested by physician, eczema never reduced. So they consulted a dermatologist, but the try went in vain.

So out of concern, Carolan started searching over internet for natural remedies and found coconut oil to be the most effective remedy and tired it for her baby. Fortunately, it worked. To help all other mothers out there who’re worrying about baby eczema she shared this post over web.

Buy organic coconut oil from store and apply topically over eczema affected area.
Best time is after bath; your baby’s skin is now ready to absorb the oil.
Rinse it off when the oil naturally dries up.
Regular use is important to see the change.

Must read: How to Keep the Neck of a Baby Dry

Using Coconut Oil for Scalp Psoriasis

Last month I met a student who has scalp psoriasis. Am not an expert, but based on my research and knowledge over psoriasis and skin, I recommended him to try coconut oil extensively. In a week or so, going to meet him again, then I can reveal the results.

But mean time, if you drill through properties of coconut oil, you’ll find interesting thing. Emollients and antiviral agents in coconut oil can easily reduce psoriasis. Experts say, coconut oil can give relief to some extent for scalp psoriasis, but this shouldn’t replace steroids.

Just like in the case of eczema, buy virgin coconut oil and apply over scalp.
And the best time is at night before going bed.
Don’t bath with hot water; you can try lukewarm water, as hot water may stripe moisture.
Repeat the process daily.

Did you ever think that a simple home available remedy can treat most chronic skin diseases? What’s your say on coconut oil for eczema and psoriasis?

Image source

Eczema

Shea Butter to Treat Eczema and Psoriasis

ByMoin Nex

shea butter for eczema and psoriasis

Shea butter is praised all over the cosmetic industries for its humectant properties. This nut extracted African butter penetrates into your skin and hydrates your dry itchy patches. Because it’s packed with same moisturizing elements that your natural oil sebum has.

Now coming to eczema, it’s a chronic skin disease resulting in itchy dry patches at affected parts. Though mere cause of eczema is unknown maintaining moisture all over the body keeps itching at bay. Same goes with psoriasis.

Experts say that you can’t permanently treat eczema or psoriasis. Anyhow you can reduce inflammation using innate remedies, and applying moisturizer stands first. Shea butter for eczema and psoriasis works great because of its eminent moisturizing properties.

Shea Butter for Eczema (How it works?)

Shea butter is packed with fatty acids and vitamins, which are renowned remedies for stretch marks, psoriasis, sun burns, acne, scars, healing eczema and wrinkles. Irremovable fatty acid in shea butter makes it unmatched healing remedy. [Related post: Shea Butter for Wrinkles]

Vitamins in this African shea butter include A, E and F, which serve to enhances healing eczema. Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties aids in soothing eczema affected skin. Coming to fatty acids, shea butter consists of 5 fatty acids, namely stearic, almitic, oleic, arachidic and linoleic. Phenolics in this butter are source of antioxidant properties.

Raw shea butter remains solid at room temperature, but it melts when comes in contact with your body. This shea butter lotion then penetrates into the skin and locks the moisture; which develops a barrier over skin to restrain infection causing bacterial growth.

How to use Shea butter for Eczema Flare ups?

If you want to stay away from the strong odor of raw shea butter, then mix it with some base oil and essential oil then apply it over prewashed skin.

Shea Butter Recipe for Eczema

Things you’ll need

Raw Shea butter – 2 ounce
Any base oil (Wheat Germ oil) – 1 tbsp
Any essential oil (Sandalwood oil) – 15 drops
Lavender oil – 15 drops

Procedure

Mash it with fork or melt it using double pot.
Remove from steam and pour Wheat Germ oil and other ingredients mentioned above.
Mix it well and store in cool place.

Shea Butter for Psoriasis (How it works?)

Raw shea butter consists of non saponifiable property, and oils with this property have more healing fractions when compared to other oils. Though you can’t completely treat psoriasis with shea butter, you can relieve itchiness associated with this chronic skin.

With effective healing properties this African butter associates moisturizing fraction that hydrates your dry skin and locks moisture.

Related post: How to make whipped shea butter

If you seriously want to reap all innate benefits of shea butter then go and get raw or unrefined shea butter. Procedure of applying shea butter for psoriasis is exactly the same way mentioned above for eczema.

Did you ever use Shea Butter for Eczema or Psoriasis? Please share your real time views in comments.

Image source

Eczema

Zinc Oxide for Eczema

ByMoin Nex

zinc oxide for eczema

According to Medline Plus, zinc supplement fails to treat skin diseases like eczema and allergies. Anyway zinc oxide when used topically showed improvement in treating atopic eczema.

There are different types of eczema. Atopic eczema is the most common type of eczema. So note that one remedy won’t work for all eczema. You must try, test and use to treat eczema and for this you must take doctor’s help.

Also read: Sulfur for Eczema

Zinc oxide for Treating Eczema

Not just for treating eczema, zinc oxide can be used to soothe skin. Dr. Marilynn Syrett says to protect skin from harmful UV rays zinc oxide turn to be safest treatment. This is why many sunscreen creams add zinc oxide as main ingredient.

Wash the entire eczema affected area with water.
Pat dry and apply with zinc oxide paste on it.
If you’re allergic to zinc, cod liver oil, petroleum jelly or any other ingredient in zinc oxide, don’t use it.
Follow doctor’s prescription.
For rough or thickened eczema affected areas you can use bandage containing zinc paste and ichthammol paste so that it boosts absorption of medicine and soothes skin.

Related post: Interesting Facts About Eczema

Excess oil production caused by puberty can be controlled by topical application of zinc oxide. Thus it can be used to treat acne in some cases.

Must read: Apple Cider Vinegar for Eczema

Note that zinc oxide leaves thin white residue on applied part which can’t be rubbed.

Overdose may cause side-effects, consult your doctor before considering zinc oxide. Side-effects include hives, itching, skin rashes and difficulty in breathing.

Image source :Altered

Eczema

Natural Remedy for Eczema with Sea Water

ByMoin Nex

There are many controversies surrounding the use of sea water for treating eczema. Because soaking eczema flare-ups in sea water is nothing but just like “adding salt to an open wound”.

Yes, it pains but British Association of Dermatology claims that Dead Sea water can be used to treat eczema. Treating eczema has more worth than having mild pain.

Why Sea Water Treats

Salt in sea water dries out eczema wounds and refrain further infection, may be this feature of sea water helps to treat eczema. Anyway, there are different types of eczema and same remedy may not work for all. So you need to try your luck with home available remedies to treat eczema.

Because of the antiseptic properties of sea water it’s an effect natural remedy for eczema. Wounds when exposed to seawater it pains so it’s up to you to weight the benefits of sea water with pain you get.

Also Read: Can’t stop scratching?

Have a look at forum discussion.

Eczema is a chronic skin diseases, main cause is still unknown. Anyway hereditary and food you eat may trigger eczema. Skin becomes dry, itchy and scaly. Applying antioxidant and antibacterial creams can relieve itching. Though it gets treated using creams and home remedies if you don’t care of your skin they appear once again.

Eczema

Can Sulfur Treat Eczema?

ByMoin Nex

how to treat eczema with sulfur

After calcium and phosphorous, sulfur is 3rd most abundant mineral in your body, 50 percent of sulfur is found is muscles, skin and bones.

Anyway, it plays a vital role in overall body functioning like protein synthesis, collagen production and is a part of keratin, which strengthens hair, skin and nails.

But can it treat eczema?

Yes, not just eczema, it can treat acne, psoriasis, warts and other skin diseases.

Though you can get required amount of sulfur through diet, at times your body meets with sulfur deficiency which triggers health problems. So to restrain them, balanced amount of sulfur consumption is important, either through natural sources or through supplements.

Note: Consult your physician before opting for sulfur supplements.

Eczema is a chronic skin disease which makes your skin dry and itchy. More on eczema here.

How to Treat Eczema with Sulfur?

1. Natural Source

sulfur natural sources

Consider diet which has high amount of sulfur. Which includes, wheat germ, cabbage, eggs, fish, onions, kale, turnips, meats, garlic, dried beans, brussel sprouts and soy beans.

2. Sulfur Supplements

sulfur supplement

You can take sulfur powder or tablets as prescribed by physician.

3. Sulfur Bath

sulfur bath _

Get sulfur bath from local organic store and soak affected area in it.

4. Sulfur Soap

sulfur soaps

Use sulfur soap to wash eczema affected areas.

5. Sulfur Creams

sulfur cream

Or you can opt for sulfur contained creams.

Image source 1, 2

Eczema

Baby Eczema Symptoms, Causes, Treatments and Triggers

ByMoin Nex

Unlike eczema in adults, baby eczema is common and treatable. Dry itchy patches flare up on your baby’s skin.

In most cases these patches are wiped out naturally, in other cases you must practice a moisturizing remedy prescribed by doctor. 10 to 15 percent of babies are affected by atopic dermatitis or infantile eczema.

Where it appears and what does it look like?

red baby eczema rashes

Dry, red, itchy and crusty eczema patches may appear anywhere on baby’s skin, but in most cases flare ups can be seen on fore head, cheeks, scalp and over joints.

You may confuse eczema rashes with cradle cap rashes. Cradle cap rashes normally occurs on baby’s scalp, it is harmless and does not usually itchy (goes off in 8 months).

What causes baby eczema?

Scientists are researching to find the exact cause of eczema, right now cause for eczema in adults and babies are unknown.

But few experts say that dry skin and hereditary can cause eczema flare ups.

Skin is barrier which protects inner parts and natural oils present on skin helps it to work efficiently. When these natural oils are stripped either by using harsh soaps or by hydrating baby from inside the body, dry skin appears which results in itch-scratch cycle.

Or if anyone in parents have hay fever or asthma or diseases which are associated with eczema, then eczema flare ups may appear.

Does this patch go away by itself?

In most cases red itchy patches goes away when your infants grow up. Only small number of children will carry it to adolescence age. Anyway, remissions may appear in different stages of life. Avoiding dry skin by applying moisturizer will work.

Baby Eczema Triggers?

Triggers or irritations increases flare-ups and may make the situation worse. But remember that eczema triggers will not be same for all babies. Here are common eczema triggers.

#1 Dry skin

It causes itching, which increase eczema condition. Dry skin is caused when you use soaps with alcohol as ingredient. They strip natural oils from skin leaving it dry from the outside. Climate can also make skin dry; like winter. The dry air makes skin dry by stimulating itching.

Tip

Apply moisturizer prescribed by doctor and use humidifier in your room when air outside is dry. Prefer moisturizing soaps. Hot water leaves your baby’s skin dry, instead go for lukewarm water.

#2 Stress

Babies with eczema react to stress by flushing, which leads to itching.

Tip

Keep yourselves stress free to calm your babies.

“When parents stress, the kids are going to be stressed,” says Andrew Garner, MD (source: WebMD)

#3 Irritants

Keep your babies away from wool or synthetic fibers which trigger itching, also from body sprays, perfumes and soaps or creams which are made for adults.

Sweat and heat can make infant eczema worse.

Tip:

If you’re not sure which type of clothes are your baby’s skin love, take advice from other or consult your doctor.

#4 Allergens

According to WebMD still there is a debate on food allergies triggering eczema. Few experts suggest that removing cow’s milk, peanuts and eggs from baby’s diet may help to reduce eczema flare ups.

Read this: Home Remedies for Skin Allergies

Treating Baby’s Eczema

If you want to get rid awkward looking rashes on your baby’s skin then you may try below suggested tips. (Few of them are already discussed above, will repeat it here)

Before taking for a bath apply oil (essential oil or any other oil) on your baby’s whole body.
Avoid hot water, consider lukewarm water.
After bath pat dry baby’s skin, don’t rub.
While baby’s skin is damp apply moisturizing cream.
Dress baby with cotton and avoid synthetic fiber cloths.
Cut your baby’s nails (be careful, you might hurt him/her). So that, while scratching he/she won’t damage skin. You can use gloves instead.
Avoid putting too many blankets, because sweating can trigger itching.

If none of the above is working go for steroids, which may include creams or any other medication if needed.

We recommend consulting a doctor before taking a step.

Baby Eczema Pictures

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Reference:

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby-eczema-questions-answers
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cradle-cap/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://www.parenting.com/article/3-things-that-stress-out-babies