Eczema Relief Made Simple with Natural Strategies for All Ages
Eczema is the most common type of dermatitis and can be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, being characterized by itchy, inflamed patches of skin. These can ooze and flareup.
Eczema can affect all ages...
Eczema in children
Eczema is a prevalent skin condition not only in adults but also in children. In fact, it often starts in early childhood, with many children developing symptoms before the age of five. Eczema in children can cause red, dry, and itchy patches, especially on the face, scalp and the bends of the arms and knees. In some cases, the skin may crack, ooze, or become infected due to excessive scratching.
In addition, eczema can cause significant discomfort, leading to restless sleep and irritability due to the constant itching. The condition can also have emotional effects, as children may feel self-conscious about the appearance of their skin.
How can children with eczema be helped?
- Don't let your child's skin become dry. Daily bathing in lukewarm water is helpful if you use a mild soap and shampoo to wash at the end of the session which should not be too long.
- Immediately pat the skin dry without rubbing before applying plenty of natural moisturizer to keep the moisture in.
- Let your child's skin breathe by using cool natural fabrics such as cotton for both clothing and bed linen. Avoid wool as this can be scratchy and irritating to the skin.
- Use natural fragrance-free detergents for washing their clothes and bed linen and stay away from fabric softeners.
- Avoid extreme temperature changes for your child.
- Keep the fingernails cut short and put mittens on so that your child cannot scratch the eczema rash. Cool compresses to the area for a few minutes at a time will soothe and discourage scratching too.
Introducing H-Eczema Formula which is all natural and safe to use anywhere on the body - even for young children from the age of two years - and provides quick relief for all types of eczema. The Formula works to:
- Provide relief from itching, dryness and discomfort
- Decrease the severity and frequency of symptoms
- Soothe the skin
- Re-moisturize the skin
Eczema in Adults
- In adults, eczema can affect many areas of the body, including the face, hands and eyelids.
- It often appears as a red to dark brown scaly rash that can bleed and crust when scratched.
- The skin around the eyes is a common area for adults to develop eczema, and it can appear as thickened, darker skin that's very itchy.
- The severity of eczema can vary from person to person. People with mild eczema may only experience small areas of dry skin that itch occasionally, while more severe cases can cause widespread inflammation and constant itching all over the body.
How can adults with eczema be helped?
- Non prescription creams which are applied regularly to relieve itching.
- Moisturizers are also important to prevent dry skin and relieve itching. They should be as natural as possible and free of alcohol, scents, dyes, fragrances, parabens, and other chemicals that can irritate the skin. They should be applied two to three times a day.
- Antihistamines can be helpful in reducing severe itching.
- Topical steroids are sometimes recommended by health providers but should not be used for more than three months at a time.
However, H-Eczema Formula is the 100% natural way to tackle outbreaks of eczema in adults.
The Formula is specially formulated from pure ingredients to provide the perfect eczema home remedy that is gentle, safe and successful to use in treating the symptoms of eczema. H-Eczema Formula helps to reduce outbreaks while assisting in smoothing, re-texturing and moisturizing the skin.
When used as directed, the product is formulated to address even the most stubborn symptoms so that the skin is restored to a smooth appearance.
Eczema in pregnancy
Pregnancy-induced eczema is very common, possibly accounting for up to fifty percent of all eczema cases and could be association with immune function and autoimmune disorders as well as a history of asthma and hay fever.
The symptoms of pregnancy-induced eczema include:
- Red, rough, itchy bumps that can appear on different areas of the body.
- These bumps often appear in groups and may have a crust.
- Pustules may also be visible.
Those who are pregnant, and already have a history of eczema, may find that their eczema becomes worse - although the good news is that some symptoms may actually improve!
- Moisturizing is very important with eczema.
- Typically, your doctor may prescribe a steroid ointment to apply to your skin although these may cause concern.
- Another suggestion for treating more severe cases of eczema is UV light therapy which could be useful in helping to clear up the eczema.
- Avoid any treatments that involve methotrexate (Trexail, Rasuvo) or psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) during pregnancy.
Our own H-Eczema Formula is perfect for mild to severe eczema symptoms including during pregnancy with the proviso that if pregnant or breastfeeding, you should consult your doctor before use.
We share some general tips to help with eczema
- Apply cool compresses to the skin, or take a colloidal oatmeal or baking soda bath to relieve the itch.
- Moisturize the skin daily to form a protective barrier against the elements, applying moisturizer straight after a shower or bath to seal it in.
- When drying after a bath or shower, just gently blot the skin with a soft towel without rubbing.
- Always resist scratching as this can make any discomfort worse and even lead to an infection.
- Use natural and fragrance-free detergents, cleansers, makeup and other skin care products.
- Always use gloves and protective clothing if you have to handle chemicals.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes made from soft fibers such as natural cotton.
SOURCES:
Dlova, N. C., Naicker, T., & Naidoo, P. (2017). Soaps and cleansers for atopic eczema, friends or foes? What every South African paediatrician should know about their pH. South African Journal of Child Health, 11(3), 146–148.Retrieved from
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajchh/article/view/164488. (Accessed May 7, 2021).
Eczema and bathing. (n.d.)
https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/bathing/. (Accessed May 7, 2021).
Eczema products. (n.d.)
https://nationaleczema.org/eczema-products/? fwp_product_category=moisturizer#soa-filters-title. (Accessed May 7, 2021).
Evangelista, M. T. P., Abad-Casintahan, F., & Lopez-Villafuerte, L. (2014, January). The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial. International Journal of Dermatology, 53(1), 100–108
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ijd.12339. (Accessed May 7, 2021).
Hon, K. L., Tsang, Y. C. K., Lee, V. W. Y., Pong, N. H., Ha, G., Lee, S. T., ... Leung, T. F. (2016). Efficacy of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) baths to reduce Staphylococcus aureus colonization in childhood onset moderate-to-severe eczema: A randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over trial [Abstract]. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 27(2), 156–162
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Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.