Chamomile Baths, Dietary Supplements

and More Ways to Keep Eczema at Bay

If you are prone to eczema, winter months can become unbearable! Here are many causes, symptoms and remedies to keep those eczema outbreaks at bay.

Causes

 Eczema can be caused by many things, from dryness, the foods you are eating to stress and hormones. Here is a list of eczema causes:

• Soaps and detergents
  
• Shampoos
  
• Dish-washing liquid
  
• Chlorine
  
• Dust
  
• Pets
  
• Very hot weather
  
• Highs or lows in humidity
  
• Perspiration from exercise
  
• High stress levels
  
• Hormones

Symptoms

Eczema can be identified by a rash most commonly found on the face, wrists, hands, feet or back of the knees. Other areas of the body may be affected too. Eczema is extremely itchy and may even start itching before the rash appears. The rash can appear as small red bumps or very dry, flaking skin. Eczema can affect the pigmentation of the skin in the affected area causing it to be lighter. Eczema is very uncomfortable, painful and unbearably itchy. This article will highlight ways to prevent eczema and cure an outbreak.

How to Nourish Your Body to Treat and Prevent Eczema Outbreaks

There are many ways to treat eczema from natural remedies to pharmaceutical creams.

 Apple Cider Vinegar

• Drinking a tonic of apple cider vinegar and water (1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar and 3 teaspoons water) is known to cure and aid many ailments and eczema is one of them. Incorporating apple cider vinegar into your lifestyle can only be beneficial.
  

• Apple cider vinegar will also take the itch away – do this by soaking up some of the vinegar with cotton wool and applying it to the area.
  
  

Moisturise

• Mix your favourite cream with coconut oil for the ultimate moisturiser that will keep your skin soft and hydrated to prevent an eczema breakout.
  

• Moisturisers rich in vitamin E are also great for your body. Make sure your moisturiser is perfume free as this may cause the irritated skin to burn when applied.

• Create your own coconut oil mousse. Whip cooled coconut oil with a beater until it whips into a light mousse. The coconut oil must be in its hard form; if you try to whip liquid coconut oil it will not work.
  

Bathing

• Take magnesium baths. Add magnesium salt to your bath. This won't dry you out; some people think it actually makes your skin feel soft.
  

• Bathe in oatmeal. Oatmeal can moisturise and nourish your body and has helped with the cure of eczema. Roll 1 cup of oats in cheesecloth or muslin and pop it on the bath.
  

• Bathe in coconut oil or in chamomile: take 4 teaspoons of dried chamomile flower and wrap it in cheesecloth/muslin and drop it in the bath.
  
  

Vitamins

• Take a vitamin C, D and E supplement, especially in the dry months. This will boost your immune system and nourish your body from the inside out.
  

• Fish oil supplements are also great for nourishing your body and are very healthy for you.

If your eczema is so bad that the natural remedies aren't working, you may need to visit the doctor.

Other cures include:

• Steroid creams will help to alleviate eczema very quickly, but will also thin out your skin, so be extra cautious when venturing out into the sun or harsh conditions.
  

• Cortisone tablets will help eliminate the eczema.
  

• The doctor may also give you a steroid injection; this will at least take the itch away.