Natural Treatment for Eczema
Eczema treatment can be done without the use of medication. In fact, there are natural treatments available and you just have to know what these are.
The first natural remedy is probiotics. This is good bacteria and we have this inside our bodies. It suppresses the growth of bad or harmful bacteria in our system, influences our immune function and strengthens the digestive tract's protective barrier.
Since there are not enough probiotics inside the digestive tract of infants, nursing mothers are encouraged to breast filled their babies as the milk also contains galacto-oligosaccharides that help probiotics grow in the body especially during the first six months.
Studies have shown that over a two year period, infants that are breast fed have less risk of suffering from eczema later on in life.
Children and adults can also drink probiotics. A good example of this is Yakult which is made from a mixture of skimmed milk powder, sugar and water that is ultra-heat treated and then fermented using a live probiotic strain called Lactobacillus casei Shirota.
You can buy this in the grocery and now, there are two types to choose from namely Yakult Original and Yakult Light. Both contain Lactobacillus casei Shirota in equal amounts, but the Light version has less sugar. So you know which is which, Yakult Original has a red lid while Yakult Light is the one in the blue.
We know that there are creams and ointments available to treat eczema. But did you know that there are products made of natural ingredients? You can find some made from herbal extracts of chamomile, licorice and witch hazel.
But before you try any topical herbal product, check first with your doctor if it is safe for you to use because some herbs like chamomile may cause dermatitis.
Aside from applying the natural product to your skin, you can also take it in orally. There are supplements around that can help treat and prevent eczema. Some examples of these include evening primrose oil with a dose of 500mg. daily, MaxEPA fish oils 1,000 mg. three times a day, Vitamin C and bioflavonoids both 1,000 mg daily, Vitamin A 10,000 I.U. daily and Zinc 50 mg. daily. You should also eat fish at least twice a week.
Taking a bath is also another natural form of eczema treatment. Instead of using soap and water, you will be using oatmeal. All you have to do is put in one or two cups into a tub of lukewarm water. Afterwards, you will need to apply a moisturizer on your damp skin to keep it moist.
If you don’t like the idea of taking a bath in oatmeal, try mixing one-teaspoonful of comfrey root, one-teaspoon of slippery elm bark, one-teaspoon of white bark, and two cups of water together in a bowl. After boiling it for 35 minutes and giving it some time to cool, get a face towel and wash this over the affected skin. It may not remove the itch but it can help decrease the urge to scratch it which is important because scratching could just make things worse.
Eczema treatment can be done naturally, with creams or ointments and medication. The important thing to keep in mind when you choose to use any of these products is that it must work.
Showing posts with label treatment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label treatment. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
How to Deal with Eczema
How to Deal with Eczema
Eczema treatment is possible but before we mention what these are, we should know what it is first.
Eczema is a dry skin condition that happens commonly among children. There are different degrees by which someone is affected and the only good news is that it is not contagious.
When you do have it, your skin will not only look dry but also itchy and red. In severe cases, there may be bleeding, crusting and weeping.
So how do we treat eczema? The first thing you have to do to prevent it from getting worse is not to scratch it because constant scratching causes the skin to bleed and split making it vulnerable to infection. Should this happen to you, there are oral and topical antibiotics available that can kill the bacteria.
Since this is easier said than done, you should apply creams and lotions over the affected area to keep the skin moist. The best time to apply it to the skin is after bathing so the moisture from the bath is still locked into the skin.
Another option is to apply cold compress. If this still does not work, then you can go to the drug store and apply nonprescription corticosteroid creams and ointments that are designed to reduce inflammation.
If the nonprescription corticosteroid creams and ointments are not effective, then it is time to try those that are prescribed by the doctor. You should know that there are some side effects and to prevent this from happening, you must limit the length of treatment time and the locations where this will be applied. Instead of topical prescribed medication, the doctor may even give you oral corticosteroids.
The creams and ointments mentioned will not be able to help if you have severe itching. For that, doctors will recommend sedative antihistamines that are available in both prescription and over-the-counter varieties. Since drowsiness is a common side effect, this is usually given during the evening so you will be able to get a good night’s sleep.
For those who want to use something else, they can try tar treatments and phototherapy. The only problem with tar treatments is the fact that it is messy.
The last resort for eczema treatment if nothing seems to work is a drug called cyclosporine A. This is designed to modify the body’s immune response at a price because it is known to have serious side effects.
But for people who are suffering from atopic dermatitis which is another form of eczema, there are two topical medications to choose from that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These are namely tacrolimus and pimecrolimus which belong to a class of drugs called calcineurin inhibitors which work by modulating the immune response. The best part is that there are no side effects even during long term use.
Can eczema be prevented? The answer is yes. If you have children, make sure they are wearing breathable clothes like those made of cotton, use mild soaps when they bathe, keep their room clean from dust mites and avoid sudden temperature changes.
Eczema can happen at any age. Studies have shown that there are 15 million people in this country who have one form or another. The good news is that there is eczema treatment available. If over the counter creams, ointments and medications don’t work, consult with your dermatologist so something stronger can be given.
Eczema treatment is possible but before we mention what these are, we should know what it is first.
Eczema is a dry skin condition that happens commonly among children. There are different degrees by which someone is affected and the only good news is that it is not contagious.
When you do have it, your skin will not only look dry but also itchy and red. In severe cases, there may be bleeding, crusting and weeping.
So how do we treat eczema? The first thing you have to do to prevent it from getting worse is not to scratch it because constant scratching causes the skin to bleed and split making it vulnerable to infection. Should this happen to you, there are oral and topical antibiotics available that can kill the bacteria.
Since this is easier said than done, you should apply creams and lotions over the affected area to keep the skin moist. The best time to apply it to the skin is after bathing so the moisture from the bath is still locked into the skin.
Another option is to apply cold compress. If this still does not work, then you can go to the drug store and apply nonprescription corticosteroid creams and ointments that are designed to reduce inflammation.
If the nonprescription corticosteroid creams and ointments are not effective, then it is time to try those that are prescribed by the doctor. You should know that there are some side effects and to prevent this from happening, you must limit the length of treatment time and the locations where this will be applied. Instead of topical prescribed medication, the doctor may even give you oral corticosteroids.
The creams and ointments mentioned will not be able to help if you have severe itching. For that, doctors will recommend sedative antihistamines that are available in both prescription and over-the-counter varieties. Since drowsiness is a common side effect, this is usually given during the evening so you will be able to get a good night’s sleep.
For those who want to use something else, they can try tar treatments and phototherapy. The only problem with tar treatments is the fact that it is messy.
The last resort for eczema treatment if nothing seems to work is a drug called cyclosporine A. This is designed to modify the body’s immune response at a price because it is known to have serious side effects.
But for people who are suffering from atopic dermatitis which is another form of eczema, there are two topical medications to choose from that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These are namely tacrolimus and pimecrolimus which belong to a class of drugs called calcineurin inhibitors which work by modulating the immune response. The best part is that there are no side effects even during long term use.
Can eczema be prevented? The answer is yes. If you have children, make sure they are wearing breathable clothes like those made of cotton, use mild soaps when they bathe, keep their room clean from dust mites and avoid sudden temperature changes.
Eczema can happen at any age. Studies have shown that there are 15 million people in this country who have one form or another. The good news is that there is eczema treatment available. If over the counter creams, ointments and medications don’t work, consult with your dermatologist so something stronger can be given.
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