How to Treat Eczema with Natural Cures

Eczema is an unpleasant condition that causes red, bumpy, itchy rashes to form on the skin. Also known as dermatitis, eczema is described by the Mayo Clinic a chronic problem that is most prevalent in babies and children. Eczema causes the skin to lose moisture, thereby bringing about breakouts of rashes. It is recognizable by dryness, itchiness, blistering, scaling, and redness of the skin. This article will outline the causes of eczema, natural cures for eczema, and eczema treatments.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Understanding the causes of eczema:
   According to WebMD, between ten and thirty percent of Americans are believed to be affected by eczema. One of the biggest predictors of eczema is heredity. If you have family members who have suffered from asthma, hay fever, or eczema itself, your odds of being afflicted by eczema increase significantly. Though the precise cause of eczema is still being studied, it is believed to be caused by an immune disorder that causes the body to overreact to the presence of a typical bacterium. Further, while it appears to be spread genetically, eczema is not contagious.

2. Eczema prevention:
   Though eczema is currently incurable, there are several ways to prevent flare-ups. Per the University of Maryland Medical Center, eczema can be aggravated by some allergies such as those to pollen, dust mites, and dander. Cold dry conditions like those found in a northern winter can also aggravate the condition. So staying indoors with a mild temperature combined with the use of a humidifier can limit the irritation.

3. Natural cures for eczema:
   For general eczema prevention, use a moisturizer on your skin - the thicker, the better. Do so any time that your skin feels unusually dry or uncomfortable. For those sufferers with extremely dry skin, the Mayo Clinic suggests baby oil as a natural cure for eczema. For some sufferers, eczema can get worse with frequent bathing and drying. Try to keep your showers as short as possible and use lukewarm water rather than hot water. General stress and anxiety can make outbreaks more uncomfortable, so try to avoid and manage stress as best as possible. Also, some foods are believed to be responsible for springing outbreaks. Dairy products, acidic foods, and anything that contains alcohol tend to be the most common irritants.

4. Medical eczema treatment:
   In many cases, your doctor can recommend a medical aid for you. Cortisone creams or ointments may be prescribed for occasional use; these can relieve some of the irritation, but if they are used too frequently, they can cause more problems than they solve. Overuse of these creams can actually lead to further skin irritation which defeats the purpose of using them. Antihistamines may also be recommended or prescribed to relieve itching. As always, consult your doctor for a personal eczema treatment plan.

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