How to Treat Eczema Naturally

With winter weather comes dry, hashed skin, especially if we don’t properly nourish our skin during the cold winter months.

The air is colder and drier in the Inland Northwest, and in most places in the US this time of year, making it hard for our skin to stay healthy, fresh and hydrated. We need to take more time to nourish our skin, protecting it against the harsh elements of winter.

One of the most common skin conditions exacerbated during winter is eczema. I used to suffer with this almost every winter, and my brother has issues with eczema as well. Baby girl has battled with it too.

It’s relatively easy to treat, without using harsh toxin loaded, over the counter skin care products. Even those they are commonly prescribed to treat eczema, aren’t getting to the cause of the problem. Eczema is more times than not dietary related, especially if it’s persistent and lasts for months or flares up. Without treating the root, it will never fully go away, and the conventional products used only bring toxins and chemicals to the party.

Here are my tips for treating eczema naturally:

1. Check your diet: If the condition persists and is recurring, dietary measures may need to be taken. Dairy, wheat, eggs, soy, and nuts are commonly a cause of eczema. You may have an intolerance or sensitivity to dairy, wheat or eggs, and it’s apparent by the skin condition.
2. Drink more water: Water helps to hydrate the skin from the inside out. And just because it’s not warm outside doesn’t mean you don’t need your water in the winter. Dehydration is common in the winter, and it’s seen in our skin.
3. Apply coconut oil: Organic cold pressed virgin coconut oil works wonders on our skin. It’s an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, and it helps to relieve dryness. Use it on the affected area, as often as needed.
4. Use aloe vera: Aloe vera is great for soothing symptoms. Make sure to buy pure aloe vera, or better yet use the gel found in an aloe vera plant’s leaves.
5. Tea Tree Oil Cream: Massage into skin for a cooling sensation.
6. Chamomile: I suggest using tea bags and letting the tea steep for 15 minutes, and then apply to affected area in a gauze. Let stand for 20 minutes. You can also add chamomile essential oil to bath water or the tea and soak. This helps soothe the skin. Do this 2-3x a day to relieve acute symptoms and inflammation.
7. Essential Fatty Acids: Fatty acids such as black currant seed oil, flaxseed oil, primrose oil or salmon oil, help to lubricate the skin.
8. Vitamin E: Make sure it’s not synthetic and not vitamin E acetate. Break open vitamin E gel tablets and pour over affected area. (Make sure it contains D-alpha tocopherol).This helps to relieve itching and dryness.
9. Relieve Stress: Yes, stress has an effect on skin conditions. It is known that stress can cause or exacerbate dermatitis. Find ways to help you de-stress, whether it’s running, meditation, yoga or prayer.
10. Nourish with moisturizer: I suggest using argan oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil for your moisturizers. They won’t leave your skin oily. They are great for all types of skin, and will help to relieve dryness and prevent dryness. I tend to have oily skin, and I don’t feel oily after using them. These oils have healing properties as well. (Make sure to buy pure, organic oil). Adding a few drops of lavender oil or tea tree oil will help to bring a cooling sensation too.

The best way to combat eczema is to start with the diet, and use creams, poultices and oils while experimenting with your diet. Eczema is only a symptom of a much larger issue in most cases. It could indicate a gluten intolerance or other food allergy, and until the root is cared for, it will continue to be an issue.

The above tips will only help to relieve the discomfort of eczema, especially if it’s triggered by the diet.

Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit

What skin conditions do you/have you battle with? Do you have any tips that work for treating eczema?