5 Remedies for Eczema
Eczema is a difficult ailment to deal with. Not only is there no definitive cure for eczema, but it is uncomfortable for those who suffer from it and can be embarrassing when it appears on skin that is visible on the face or body. Nobody likes to struggle with red and scaly patches on the skin. There are many different at-home and prescription remedies that your doctor or dermatologist might suggest. The following five options can be easy ones to try if you aren’t ready to progress to using stronger drugs or topical steroids.
- Light Therapy
Red light therapy is becoming increasingly popular for many different health issues that people encounter. One of the problems it can help ease is actually eczema. There have been studies that show that even small amounts of red light therapy done on a weekly basis can reduce the uncomfortable itching and scaly skin patches associated with eczema.
One of the most helpful aspects of using this tool to treat eczema is that it is very easy to use red light therapy for face flare-ups of eczema. Treating eczema on the face can be more complicated since facial skin is more delicate. Since red light therapy is safe for all skin areas, it is an excellent option to try if you tend to have flare-ups on the face. Although the upfront cost is an investment, the ease of use and benefits to your overall health makes light therapy an excellent option to try.
- Diet Changes
One remedy to help eczema that is often overlooked is trying to make a few diet changes. Eczema is an inflammatory reaction, so it can be helpful to eliminate any food sensitivities or allergies that might be aggravating your skin. Trying to make sure dairy, gluten, or too much sugar aren’t aggravating your body can be determined through elimination diets over the course of a few weeks or months. There are also some at-home tests that you can order to determine if you have any unknown food allergies. Eliminating those foods might help detect if your eczema is made worse by your diet.
- Bleach Bath
It might sound like a horrible idea, but bleach baths have actually helped many eczema sufferers. It’s a simple as using regular strength (6%) bleach to a bath. You don’t want to use a lot, just a little is needed. You can measure exactly and use one teaspoon per gallon of water in your bathtub, or just half a cup for a full bath. Pour the bleach in while the bath is filling with water so that it is evenly distributed throughout the bath. You can soak in the tub for five to ten minutes and then rinse yourself off using the shower. Make sure the water isn’t too hot so that your skin doesn’t dry out. And it is especially important to moisturize your skin well afterward.
- Slugging
Slugging is another way to help treat some flare-ups and it is easy to do as well as very cost-efficient. The idea of slugging is to moisturize the area you are struggling with and then coat the area with vaseline, petroleum, or another occlusive moisturizer. Some people even wrap the skin gently with a wrap to help keep the moisture sealed and protected. The occlusive moisturizer helps to keep the skin moisturized so that it has time to heal and recover.
- Aloe Vera Gel
If you are wanting to use something extremely natural and safe, aloe vera gel is an excellent option. It is very good at soothing inflamed skin and keeping it very moisturized. You want to make sure you use pure aloe vera gel with no fillers. You can easily find a quality gel at a health foods store or online.
The next time you are battling your eczema consider these remedies to try at home. You might find a new favorite that helps cut your healing time in half. Every remedy is worth trying until you find the right fit that helps you the most.
