Eczema or also known as atopic dermatitis is a term for a group of conditions which causes inflammation, redness or irritation on the skin.

The word “atopic,” refers to a person’s tendency to get conditions that can be triggered with allergies such as asthma and hay fever.

This condition is very common in children but can still occur at any age. This affects 10 to 20 percent of infants and about 3 percent of adults and children in the U.S.

Eczema is a long lasting or chronic condition which tends to appear periodically and may be accompanied with other conditions like asthma or hay fever.

There is still no cure for eczema, even today. But don’t worry, eczema can be treated with self-care measures to relieve itching.

In addition to that, eczema isn’t contagious in any form, but can be inherited. Eczema has several symptoms which can vary depending on the age of the person.

As previously stated, rhus condition is mostly seen in infants with dry and scaly patches appearing on their skin. The patches are usually itchy and irritating.

Thus, you would see babies scratching their skin roughly. However, excessive rubbing and scratching can lead to skin infections.

For milder cases of eczema, the most common symptoms are:

• Dry

• Redness

• Acaly skin

• Skin flushing

• Itching

• Open, crusted, or weeping sores

The majority of people with this condition developed it before the age of 5. Symptoms are quite different in children and adults.

• Symptoms in infants

The following atopic dermatitis symptoms are common in infants under the age of 2:

• Rashes on the scalp and cheeks

• Rashes that bubble up before leaking fluid

• Rashes that can cause extreme itchiness, which may interfere with sleeping

• Symptoms in children

The following atopic dermatitis symptoms are common in children age 2 and above:

• Rashes that appear behind the elbows or knees

• Rashes that on the neck, wrists, ankles, and the crease between the buttocks and legs

• Bumpy rash

• Rashes that can become lighter or darker

• Lichenification — a thickening of the skin which can then develop into a permanent itch

• Symptoms in adults

The following atopic dermatitis symptoms are common in adults:

• Rashes that are more scaly than those occurring in children

• Rashes that commonly appear in the creases of the elbows or knees or the nape of the neck

• Rashes that cover much of the body

• Very dry skin on the affected areas

• Rashes that are permanently itchy

• Skin infections

Eczema has several types called:

Atopic Dermatitis - This is the most common and known type of eczema. It causes the skin to get red and itchy.

Contact Dermatitis - This type of eczema is somewhat inevitable, meaning that almost everyone gets this condition at some point in their lives.

This occurs when your skin comes in contact with something that can cause a skin rash or irritation.

Dyshidrotic Eczema - This is also known as dyshidrosis — a skin condition wherein blisters form on the soles of your feet or palms of your hands.

The blisters are usually irritatingly itchy and may contain fluid. Nummular eczema - This is a chronic type of eczema which appears after a burn, abrasion, or an insect bite.

This causes coin-shaped spots on the skin which are usually itchy and well-defined. It may sometimes have a clear fluid or its total opposite which is a crusty rash.

Seborrheic Dermatitis - This is a condition that makes skin flaky and dry such as dandruff.

Stasis Dermatitis - This type of eczema usually happens to people with poor blood flow and happens in the lower legs.

Eczema is hard to treat, especially when you have very sensitive skin. Choosing the right ointments and creams suitable for your skin are the trickiest part.

And sometimes those products can leave your skin feeling drier and more irritated.

Natural remedies are here to give you hope with your eczema, without paying too much on those ointments.

If you want a natural and mild treatment with less side effects, you should go for natural remedies for eczema as it is simple and affordable.

See Also:

5 Natural Remedies For Gas

8 Natural Remedies For Muscle Cramps

9 Natural Remedies For Mouth Ulcers

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains fatty acids and antibacterial properties which can reduce bacteria on the skin, prevent infections, and add moisture to the skin.

This is especially helpful for those people with patches from eczema.

Do this by applying cold-pressed virgin coconut oil directly onto the skin after taking a bath. Use this remedy several times a day, most especially before bed, in order to keep your skin moisturized overnight.

Aloe Vera Gel

This is found inside the leaves of the aloe vera. This has been used for centuries to treat several conditions such as soothing irritated skin like eczema.

Aloe vera gel is said to contain antimicrobial, antibacterial, wound-healing, and immune system-boosting properties.

Since all of these properties are combined inside the aloe vera, which makes it one of the most effective natural remedies in treating skin problems.

The antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of aloe can help prevent further infections from dry and cracked skin.

The wound-healing property on the other hand, may help soothe and heal cracked and damaged skin. You can use aloe vera gel by getting it in a store or getting it off an aloe vera plant.

Just directly apply an ample amount of aloe vera gel onto the affected area and repeat as needed.

However, if you’re buying aloe vera in stores, as much as possible make sure to choose an aloe vera gel with less ingredients such as alcohol, fragrances, preservatives, and colors, which can all lead to dryness or even worsen your eczema.

Apple Cider Vinegar

This is known to help with eczema, however, use this with caution, as apple cider vinegar’s acids can damage the skin if used in excessive amounts or for a long period of time.

There are several benefits for using apple cider vinegar, and those are:

Balancing The Skin’s Acidity Levels

Our skin is naturally acidic, however, for people with eczema, they may have less acidic skin than others, making it more prone to irritation and skin problems.

Many skin soaps, detergents, and cleansers contain alkaline which can disrupt the skin’s acidity levels. This is why washing with soap or taking baths frequently can cause eczema flares.

Fighting Bacteria

There have been studies showing how apple cider vinegar fights bacteria. Using this on the skin can help keep damaged skin from getting infections.

You can use apple cider vinegar as a remedy by diluting your apple cider vinegar with water before anything else, as it could burn and worsen your damaged skin.

You can either do a wet wrap or bath with apple cider vinegar.

For A Wet Wrap:

Mix a cup of warm water and a tablespoon of the vinegar. Pour a few drops of the solution on a cotton or gauze, then cover the dressing jn clean cotton fabric.

Leave it on for 3 hours.

For a Bath Soak:

Simply add 2 cups of apple cider vinegar to a warm bath, then soak for 15-20 minutes before thoroughbred rinsing your body.

Don’t forget to apply a moisturizer or lotion several minutes after the bath to avoid dryness.

Honey

This contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which have been used to heal wounds for centuries.

Honey has been said to help treat skin problems like burns and wounds. The best type of honey to use for the skin is manuka honey.

Simply dab a small amount of honey onto the affected area. You can rinse it whenever you want since honey is just a mild ingredient.