Eczema is a skin condition that may occur in persons of any color or ethnicity. At this time, 10% of individuals who are African American, 11% of people who are white, 13% of people who are Asian American and Pacific Islander, and 13% of people who are Native American have the illness. Many people for getting rid of this body condition recommend washing our bodies with shampoo or bar soap, but let’s know what eczema is and learn other ways to treat it without using shampoo. Eczema may make the skin seem cracked and red, and on those with darker skin tones, it can also make the skin appear brown, purple, or even gray. Eczema sufferers might find relief from their skin's dryness and irritation with the help of natural therapies and home cures. In the winter, when symptoms are likely to be at their worst, people who have eczema may benefit from using creams, natural products, as well as dietary and lifestyle modifications to control or avoid flare-ups of their condition. Skin that is cracked and dry might benefit from moisturizing with natural ingredients like aloe vera gel and coconut oil. In addition to this, they are effective against inflammation as well as hazardous germs, which helps to decrease swelling and protect against infection. Eczema cannot be cured by natural therapies, but they may help control the symptoms and prevent flare-ups from occurring. The most effective natural treatments for eczema are discussed in this article.
- Gentle soaps and detergents: There is a possibility that laundry detergent contains harsh chemicals, which might make eczema symptoms worse.
The soapy foam that you get from many body washes and cleansers comes from the detergents that they include. It is possible for detergents and other lathering chemicals to cause dryness of the skin, which is particularly problematic for persons who suffer from eczema. Because of their high alkalinity content, bar soaps may also be quite drying to the skin. You may want to try using a cleanser that is mild, has little lather, and is fragrance-free. Scrubbing or exfoliating with products that include abrasive particles, since they might aggravate existing skin irritation, should be avoided. Switching to a laundry detergent that is milder, has no added scent or color, and is also devoid of dyes is something that a lot of individuals who have eczema find helps relieve their symptoms. In addition, you should attempt to avoid using fabric softener since it leaves a residue on garments and often includes perfumes as well as chemicals that might aggravate sensitive skin.
- Dietary changes: Eczema is an inflammatory disorder, which means that it causes the skin to become irritated, red, and inflamed. Because eating certain foods may either increase or decrease inflammation in the body, modifying one's diet in a few important ways may help lessen the severity of eczema outbreaks.
The following are some examples of foods that reduce inflammation:
- Fish
- Leafy greens
- Beans and lentils
- Colorful fruits
- Vegetables
- Turmeric and cinnamon
Dairy products, eggs, soy products, and wheat are examples of common foods that might cause inflammation. Try cutting out any of them from your diet and keeping a food journal to assist you in determining which foods may be contributing to the issue.
- Honey is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent, and for generations, people have turned to honey to speed up the healing process of wounds. Honey has been shown to hasten the healing of wounds and improve the operation of the immune system, which means that it may assist the body in warding off illnesses.
Honey is said to be effective in the treatment of a range of skin conditions, including burns and wounds, and it also has antibacterial characteristics, according to the findings of another study from a reliable source. Honey, when applied directly to the skin that is afflicted by eczema, has the potential to help prevent infections while also hydrating the skin and accelerating the healing process.
- Colloidal oatmeal, also known as Avena sativa, is made from oats that have been pulverized and cooked in order to extract the skin-healing qualities contained within the oats.
According to research that was published in 2015, colloidal oatmeal lotion contained qualities that made it antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which led to improvements in:
- Skin dryness
- Scaling
- Roughness
- Itch intensity
Take a warm bath with some powdered colloidal oatmeal added to it, and then relax. Select a colloidal oatmeal product that has oats listed as the sole component, and steer clear of those that include scents or other ingredients. People are able to get pure colloidal oatmeal by shopping at health food shops or shopping online. In addition, you may buy lotions and creams online that have colloidal oatmeal included in the ingredient list. Colloidal oatmeal is usually considered to be safe for use by individuals of all ages; however, those who are allergic to oats should steer clear of it. People who are sensitive to gluten should also exercise care since oats are often processed along with wheat in commercial facilities.
- The study suggests that a modest bleach bath helps alleviate eczema symptoms owing to the bleach's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actions. This may seem risky, but the research supports this claim.
Bleach has the ability to destroy the bacteria that are found on the surface of the skin, including S. aureus, which is the organism that is responsible for staph infections. It is possible that the microbiome on the surface of the skin will be restored. According to the findings of a study conducted in 2018, taking bleach baths may lessen the need of using topical antibiotics or corticosteroids. On the other hand, the advantages of bleach baths as a comparison to conventional baths were not observed in other studies. Use basic bleach of standard strength (6%) and follow the instructions below to create a bleach bath for eczema treatment.
- If you have a full bathtub, add a half cup of bleach to the water, or use one teaspoon of bleach for every gallon of water.
- While the tub is being filled, add the bleach to the water.
- Soak for 5–10 minutes.
- Perform a thorough washing all over the body with warm water.
- Dry the skin by patting it gently.
To keep your skin from being too dry, wash it with tepid water and apply moisturizer as soon as it's done drying. Stop using bleach baths immediately if you see any signs of discomfort, including redness, irritation, or inflammation. Due to the strong fumes, those who have respiratory conditions such as asthma or breathing problems should also avoid taking bleach baths.