Eczema ~ Causes and Natural Treatments

What is Eczema?

Eczema can show up in many different ways on the skin—most commonly as itchy red patches. However, some breakouts can blister, weep or be flaky, dry, and/or scaly. The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis, which generally refers to the type that can be linked to heredity. Often this type of eczema can exist in combination with other allergic conditions, such as asthma and hay fever.

Eczema can be one of the most frustrating skin issues because there can be so many reasons (internally and externally) for a flare-up. Consequently, it can take a while to get the outbreak under control and begin to reverse the irritation. Many people who suffer from eczema become very frustrated or feel like living with eczema is just a way of life. This does not have to be the case. There is always a reason for the problem and always a solution that will work. Patience and having the correct remedy is the key. Keep in mind that symptoms and solutions can be different for everyone.

Improve Your Diet

Skin problems are not always linked to something we put on our skin. Often there is a deeper problem. What we put into our bodies is reflected in our skin. More than likely, this is the case with eczema. A breakout can be triggered by foods that your body may be rejecting. You may have an allergy to a certain food or perhaps an overload of processed foods, alcohol, or medications.

Start eating a diet full of fruits and vegetables, which are high in antioxidants. The more color the better. Avoid processed foods, excessive sugar, and “fake” sugar. Soda pop and energy drinks can be full of harmful ingredients, so read your labels. My rule of thumb is that if you do not recognize a word as a real food ingredient (such as maltodextrin, dextrose, high-fructose corn syrup, trisodium phosphate) do not buy it.

Reduce Stress

Eczema is a nerve-related disorder. Sometimes it is your body’s way of letting you know there is a problem. If you suffer from anxiety, you may be more prone to an eczema breakout. If you believe this may be the reason for the problem, try to eliminate stress and take care of yourself by getting a massage, venting to a loved one, praying, meditating or doing yoga.

Balance Your Hormones

Believe it or not, hormones can also play a role in eczema. Sometimes women will see a difference in their eczema around the time of menstruation. If you believe hormones are an issue, try to eliminate dairy products with rBST and buy organic. This may help. Organic milk and organic Greek yogurt with no added hormones are best if you love your dairy products. Balancing herbs such as raspberry tea, rhodiola, ashwaganda, holy basil, and cinnamon can also be helpful.

Be Choosy about Skin-Care Products

Your personal-care products can also cause problems when it comes to your skin. Chemicals in products will eventually take a toll on your skin. Avoid products that have a lot of ingredients that are hard to understand. Stick to natural, soft soaps and cleansers, and after you bathe, put a pure oil on your skin instead of a lotion. However, if you are going to use a body lotion be sure it is a more natural product, containing healthy ingredients for your skin, such as the GEG Nourishing Hand & Body Lotion.

Be Savvy about Household Products

One eczema factor that gets overlooked is your laundry detergent. Washing your clothes in a detergent riddled with chemicals and/or bleach can be very irritating to the skin. Try using a “free and clear” detergent, or make your own. Even some of the “free and clear” detergents can be irritating. Also, wearing new clothes, scarves, or coats without washing them first can cause an outbreak of eczema. Anything that touches your skin can also irritate your skin.

Keep Pets Out of Your Bed

We love our pets, but if you have a dander allergy, playing with an animal can cause an eczema flare-up. You may try to lessen the amount of time your skin comes in contact with your pet’s fur. Also, if pets sleep on your bed or sofa, it could cause irritation to your skin because that is where you spend much of your time. Try protecting the couch or bed with a sheet, or no longer let pets hang out there. Easier said than done, I know!

Monitor Your Allergies

Those prone to seasonal allergies or who have a family history of allergies are more likely to suffer from eczema. Sometimes being aware of things you need to avoid can help improve breakouts. You may find that once you have changed your diet and removed chemical-type products from your home, you will experience fewer allergy symptoms.

Beat the Heat

One of the worst eczema breakouts my son had as an infant was when he was in his car seat for a long ride. The weather was very hot, and even with air conditioning, the car was not staying cool enough. If you are unable to avoid the heat, try wearing breathable cotton fabrics whenever possible.

Start Making Changes

Start with replacing personal-care products and detergents then move to food and so on. It can be easy to get overwhelmed, so start slow. One thing to consider if you are an adult and suffering from an eczema outbreak but have not had an outbreak in a very long time, is that it could be your body’s way of raising a red flag. There may be more going on inside than you know, such as an illness that needs attention. If you feel this may be the case, you will want to get a blood test and see a well-respected physician.

If you have an infant or child suffering from eczema, keep in mind that many babies outgrow eczema and other unexplained breakouts like cradle cap. Eczema in infants and children can be uncomfortable for them and cause bad sleep habits. Getting professional help is important if natural remedies do not help.

For my family, we saw the biggest improvements from eating a cleaner diet, eliminating chemical detergents and using more natural skin care products. These changes have had lasting results and I hope they do for you as well!