Though it is a fairly common skin condition, eczema is no walk in the park. In fact, depending on the severity, it can lead to a lot of itchiness, flaking and discomfort. Plus, the visible sight of it can lead to a lot of embarrassment for people. Thankfully, there are many natural approaches you can take in order to alleviate the severity of the symptoms. Consider the following options.
Shea butter, cocoa butter and other natural butters can be wildly beneficial when you're dealing with eczema. You can easily purchase raw shea butter from a local grocer. Shea butter is extremely thick so in order to make it pliable, it's best to whip it. Start by melting your butter in a double boiler. Then, add your fair share of oils that can help decrease the intensity of eczema. A few great oils to consider are castor oil, peppermint essential oil and tea tree oil. As soon as you hop out of the shower, lather your homemade butter all over damp skin in order to moisturize and seal it.
Once you've moisturized your skin, it's best to wear breathable materials that will keep the moisture locked in. If you like wearing silk pajamas to bed, you might have to shift to cotton pajamas and cotton socks. The cotton fibers can easily lock moisture in for hours.
When you don't know how to manage various oils and natural remedies, it never hurts to talk to a holistic doctor or another naturopathic professional. They can give you atopic dermatitis resources or point you in the direction of other factors that might cause flare-ups. For some people, a change in the diet can do wonders for the skin.
Collodial oatmeal is known as a soothing ingredient that many major brands use in their moisturizing products. It has the ability to soothe and moisturize dry, cracked skin. If you purchase it in its purest form, you can add some to your bath or sprinkle some into your body wash.
Though it's fine to have periods of trial and error, be mindful of how much your skin can actually take. You don't want experiments to lead to more flare-ups and bad reactions. Take your time in trying different processes. If you find an option that works well, stick with it. However, don't be afraid to layer it with another method that you will implement in the future. Before long, you might have the keys to handling eczema on your own.
Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.