People can use creams, natural products, and dietary and lifestyle changes to manage or prevent eczema flares, especially within the winter, when symptoms tend to be at their worst.
Natural substances, like burn plant gel and oil, can moisturize dry, broken skin. they will also combat inflammation and harmful bacteria to cut back swelling and stop infection.
Natural remedies cannot cure eczema, but they will help manage the symptoms and forestall flares. this text looks at the simplest natural remedies for eczema.
- Aloe vera gel
A person can use aloe vera gel directly from the plant.
Aloe vera gel is derived from the leaves of the aloe plant. People have used aloe vera gel for centuries to treat a wide range of ailments. One common use is to soothe eczema.
A systematic review from 2015 looked at the effects of aloe vera on human health. The researchers reported that the gel has the following types of properties:
- Antibacterial
- Antimicrobial
- immune system-boosting
- wound-healing
The antibacterial and antimicrobial effects can prevent skin infections, which are more likely to occur when a person has dry, cracked skin. Aloe’s wound-healing properties may soothe broken skin and promote healing.
How to use it
People can buy aloe vera gel in health stores or online, or they can purchase an aloe vera plant and use the gel directly from its leaves.
Choose aloe gel products with few ingredients — others can contain preservatives, alcohol, fragrances, and colors, all of which can irritate sensitive skin. Alcohol and other drying ingredients could make eczema worse.
Start with a small amount of gel to check for skin sensitivity. Sometimes aloe vera can cause burning or stinging. Generally, however, it is safe and effective for adults and children.
- Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a popular home remedy for many conditions, including skin disorders. The National Eczema Association (NEA) report that apple cider vinegar may help with the condition. However, they recommend using caution, as the vinegar’s acids can damage soft tissue.
No research has confirmed that apple cider vinegar reduces eczema symptoms, but there are several reasons why it could help:
Balancing the skin’s acidity levels : Vinegar is highly acidic. The skin is naturally acidic, but people with eczema may have less acidic skin than others. This can weaken the skin’s defenses.
Applying diluted apple cider vinegar could help balance the skin’s acidity levels, but vinegar can cause burns if it is not diluted.
In contrast, many soaps, detergents, and cleansers are alkaline. They can disrupt the acidity of the skin, which can leave the skin vulnerable to damage. This may explain why washing with certain soaps can cause eczema flares.
Fighting bacteria: Studies have found that apple cider vinegar may fight bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Using apple cider vinegar on the skin could help keep broken skin from becoming infected.
How to use it
Always dilute apple cider vinegar before applying it to the skin. Undiluted vinegar can cause chemical burns or other injuries.
People can use the vinegar in wet wraps or baths, and it is available in most supermarkets and health stores.
To use apple cider vinegar in a wet wrap:
- Mix 1 cup of warm water and 1 tablespoon of the vinegar.
- Apply the solution to cotton or gauze.
- Cover the dressing in clean cotton fabric.
To try an apple cider vinegar bath soak:
- Add 2 cups of apple cider vinegar to a warm bath.
- Soak for 15–20 minutes.
- Rinse the body thoroughly.
- Moisturize within several minutes of leaving the bath.
- Bleach in the bath
Although it may sound dangerous, research indicates that bleach in the bath can improve eczema symptoms due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Bleach can kill the bacteria on the surface of the skin, including S. aureus, which causes staph infections. This may restore the microbiome of the skin’s surface.
Conclusions of a 2015 review indicate that bleach baths could reduce the need for topical corticosteroid or antibiotic treatments. However, other research found no benefits of bleach baths, compared to regular baths.
How to use it
To make a bleach bath for eczema, use regular-strength (6 percent) plain bleach and try the following:
- Add half a cup of bleach to a full bathtub of water or 1 teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water.
- Pour in the bleach while the bath is filling.
- Soak for 5–10 minutes.
- Rinse the body thoroughly with warm water.
- Gently pat the skin dry.
Use lukewarm water to prevent the skin from drying out, and moisturize immediately after drying.
If a person experiences any discomfort, irritation, or redness, they should stop using bleach in the bath. People with asthma or breathing problems should refrain from taking bleach baths, due to the strong fumes.
- Colloidal oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal, also known as Avena sativa, is made from oats that have been ground and boiled to extract their skin-healing properties.
A study reports that colloidal oatmeal lotion had antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, resulting in improved:
- skin dryness
- scaling
- roughness
- itch intensity
According to the results of a randomized controlled trial, a colloidal oatmeal moisturizer worked better than a control.
How to use it
Add powdered colloidal oatmeal to a warm bath and soak.
Choose a colloidal oatmeal product that has oats as the only ingredient and avoid those with fragrances or additives. People can buy pure colloidal oatmeal from health stores or online.
Lotions and creams that contain colloidal oatmeal are also available for purchase online.
Colloidal oatmeal is generally safe for all ages, but people who are allergic to oats should avoid it. Individuals who are allergic to gluten should use caution, as oats are often processed with wheat.
- Baths
Bathing provides the skin with essential moisture.
Bathing is an important part of eczema treatment. When a person has a skin condition such as eczema, their skin needs extra moisture because the outer layer is not functioning as it should.
For some, washing often can dry out the skin and make eczema worse. This can occur when:
- using water that is too hot or cold
- using the wrong soap
- not moisturizing afterward
Avoid bathing too frequently. Most babies and children need bathing once or twice a week.
NEA recommend that adults:
- bathe or shower at least once a day
- use lukewarm water
- limit bathing to 10–15 minutes
- avoid scrubbing the skin
- use gentle cleansers instead of soaps
- try different types of medicinal baths, such as those with baking soda, vinegar, or oatmeal
A long, hot shower can remove natural oils and moisture from the skin. Take shorter showers and keep the water at a warm, not hot, temperature.
After bathing, moisturize within 3 minutes of getting out. Gently pat the skin dry with a towel and apply an oil-based moisturizer before the skin has fully dried. This can help seal in water from the shower or bath before it evaporates.
After washing and drying the hands, apply moisturizer to help prevent eczema flares on them.