Mar
18
2012

Eczema Natural Treatment

If you’ve ever had an allergic rash, then you know how itchy, unsightly, and annoying it can be. If you’re lucky, it’ll go away on its own, and you won’t have to worry about it anymore. If you’re afflicted with eczema, however, this might not be the case. It wasn’t for me.

I had to deal with eczema for years. At first, I thought it was an allergic problem. I tried switching to unscented laundry soap, and threw away all of my old soaps and lotions. When that didn’t work, I got rid of all of my household cleaners, and started washing everything in vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. When that didn’t work, I went on a very restrictive allergy diet, to see if something I was eating could be the culprit. When that didn’t work, I went to the doctor for a battery of allergy tests. When they came back negative, I was at my wits’ end. My skin seemed to be having an allergic reaction, but what could I do about it if I wasn’t actually allergic to anything?

The fact was, I was one of millions of people with eczema of unspecified origin. I learned that not all skin rashes are from an allergic response- some people just develop eczema, without a clear cause why. To say that I was frustrated by this would be an understatement. I had no idea what I was going to do at this point, aside from resign myself to living with a huge, itchy, scaly rash. I told a friend of mine that I was considering trying some alternative therapies, but I was afraid that I’d end up spending a bunch of money on them just to find out that they couldn’t help me, either. That was when she told me about Eczema Free Forever.

As it turns out, this friend’s son had developed very bad eczema not long ago. We’d been good friends for quite awhile, so I was shocked to hear this… I never remembered seeing him with eczema! As it turns out, Eczema Free Forever was the reason I didn’t. When he developed the disease, my friend had done some research and discovered this system. After following all of the advice in the special Kids’ Section, his eczema had cleared up completely, and stayed gone!

Needless to say, I tried the treatment myself, and I’m very happy with my results. I no longer need steroids or messy topical creams anymore, and I’m finally confident enough to wear the kind of clothing that I was too embarrassed to wear with my eczema. My skin is softer, clearer, and no longer inflamed or itchy. It’s really amazing!

If you have eczema, you owe it to yourself to try this system. Not only will you learn about the real root causes, you’ll learn how to use your body’s own innate healing ability to cure yourself, all without drugs, creams, or other messy treatments. Your skin will be happier, and you’ll be happier too.

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Sep
28
2011

What is?

A lot of people have heard of, but don’t know much about it aside from that it involves the skin. In fact, it affects millions of people every day, though their reactions and triggers may vary. It is one of the most common dermatological conditions that afflicts people, and it’s important to know what it is in order to avoid it or fight it.

Eczema is a sort of umbrella term for a number of different dermatological conditions. When someone is afflicted, they will develop patches of rough, inflamed skin. Sometimes, skin will become extremely itchy, as well. In severe cases, the skin might blister, crack, ooze, or even bleed. Though it usually isn’t painful, having areas of rough, broken skin can make tasks like bathing, dressing, or applying skincare products difficult. Diaper rash, poison ivy rash, dandruff, and sebhorreic dermatitis are all different types, all with very different origins. Though it might be very unsightly, it is not contagious, and it isn’t generally dangerous. However, it can end up negatively impacting the quality of life of people affected by it, especially if it appears over large areas of the body, or on highly visible areas such as the face.

In many cases, it has an allergic origin. When the body is attempting to fight of an allergen, whether it’s one that was applied to the skin or not, it can start attacking many different body systems. This is why people who are allergic to shellfish often break out when they consume iodine. Food allergies are a common trigger, including allergies to nuts, dairy, wheat, fungus, and soy products. External allergens also commonly cause skin reactions, like allergies to fragrances, laundry detergent, household cleaner, hygiene products, plants, or animal dander. In situations where external allergens or irritants are the problem, eczema will usually be limited to the places where skin came in contact with the irritant in question. Allergic is usually treated with topical hydrocortisone cream or gel, though really severe cases might require systemic antihistamines, or even steroids to clear up.

Sometimes, eczema doesn’t have a clear origin. This can make things really tricky, since, without a clear origin, it become next to impossible to pinpoint what needs to change to make it go away. For people that have unknown origin condition, unfortunately, it isn’t that simple. In these cases, people usually need to switch to using gentle, unscented skin care and cleaning products, and find a topical cream to use long-term to control the itching, scaling, and inflammation.

It can be a very embarrassing, uncomfortable condition, but it isn’t dangerous. By taking the necessary steps to determine whether it is caused by an allergic reaction, and then determine the best course of treatment, people can reduce their flare ups and greatly improve their quality of life.

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Sep
22
2011

What Are The Different Types?

Eczema works as a kind of catchall term. When someone says they have this condition, they mean that they have a dry, scaly, painful, itchy, or oozing skin condition, but what that condition actually is is debatable. In most cases, many types can be treated the same way, so the difference isn’t very important. However, it is good to know and understand the difference between the major skin conditions that fall under the umbrella of ‘eczema.’

To start with, poison ivy, oak, or sumac rashes. Essentially allergies cranked up to eleven, many people forget that poison ivy, oak, and sumac aren’t actually poisonous- they’re just dangerous because the overwhelming majority of the population is severely allergic to them. Exposure to the oils in these plants produces an intensely itchy, blistering rash, which can persist for weeks.

Atopic dermatitis is the most common type. It results in an itchy rash that chronically reappears. ‘Dermatitis’ refers to a skin inflammation, while ‘atopic’ refers to a condition that tends to run in families, or appear with other conditions. In the case of atopic dermatitis, it is frequently seen with allergies and asthma. This type usually shows up in children, but can persist into adulthood.

Seborrheic dermatitis is another common type. It is unique in that it typically affects ‘oily’ areas of the body, like the scalp or inside the ear. It also results in a dry, flaky, scaly area, sometimes with reddened, irritated skin. Dandruff is a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis.

Nummular dermatitis results in round, coin-shaped patches of scaly, crusty, dry skin. These patches usually show up on the arms and legs, but can end up spreading to the rest of the body. Nummular dermatitis usually appears as the result of an allergy.

Hand dermatitis is a fairly self-explanatory form. In this, the dry, scaly areas appear on hands, usually after they were exposed to an irritant or allergen in lotion, soap, shampoo, cleaner, or something else the hands touched or were immersed in. Usually, this form is confined to the hands, but severe cases can end up spreading to the wrists and forearms.

Allergic contact dermatitis is a usually minor, self-limiting form. In this case, when an area of the body comes in contact with something it is allergic to, a reaction will develop. This reaction is usually the same size and shape as the area that touched the allergen. Costume jewelry, lotion, fabric softener, and other common things that are worn near the skin can all cause allergic contact dermatitis. In most cases, the reaction will go away once the offending material is removed.

There are some other types out there, including some which are relatively rare. These are the most common types that people with eczema experience. The symptoms are similar to other skin conditions, however, so if you think you might have it, it’s important to be diagnosed by your doctor before attempting to treat it.

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Sep
17
2011

Symptoms

There are millions of people who suffer from eczema, and just about as many different ways that it can present itself. Not everyone will end up with this condition in the same place, or to the same degree. What one person barely notices can end up having a major impact on another person’s quality of life. That said, there are some main symptoms that are common to most people with this skin condition.

The most common symptom is a patch of rough, scaly skin. Whereas regular dry skin might cover a large area of the body, and have a tight, dry appearance and feel, it is usually rough and patchy, almost like alligator skin. What’s notable is that the skin around the afflicted area usually appears to be perfectly normal, and isn’t dry, scaly, or inflamed. Some people might notice little bumps and dry patches on their hands, feet, fingers, or toes. These can be itchy, painful, or might have no other symptoms at all.

There is frequent itchiness. This can be because of an immune response, or simply as a side effect of the rough, patchy areas. Unfortunately, scratching or exfoliating eczema just tends to make it worse. Some people won’t really notice any itching at all, while others will itch so badly that they can’t sleep at night.

In many cases, it will appear inflamed. It might look red, or feel hot to the touch, or even become puffy. Allergic type is often inflamed, and will die down as the body gets over its exposure to the allergen. It’s important not to scratch or otherwise irritate inflamed, since it will usually get worse if it’s bothered. If it is from exposure to an allergen like poison ivy, scratching it can actually spread the allergen to other areas of the body, leading to more outbreaks.

Some unfortunate people will have eczema that becomes bad enough to ooze, or bleed. This happens when skin gets so dry that it begins to crack, exposing the dermis underneath. Broken skin is often itchy as it heals, and burns or stings when common remedies are applied to it, which makes treating the problem extremely difficult. Clothing or bandages can also end up sticking or drying to cracked skin, becoming very painful to remove. Sometimes, even if it doesn’t ooze or crack, can be painful. It might produce a burning sensation, or just be painful to the touch. In many cases, the pain isn’t very severe. For some people, however, the pain can become intense enough to disrupt sleep, work, or other daily activities.

Some is caused by allergens or other irritants, while some other types don’t have a clear cause. Your doctor can help you determine whether or not you have the condition or another dermatological problem, and help you narrow down potential triggers of your outbreak.

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Sep
10
2011

Remedies

With all of the millions of people afflicted by eczema, it’s no small wonder that they’ve come up with a laundry list of remedies for treating the condition. Unfortunately, most of these won’t help you get rid of it permanently, but they can help control some of the symptoms of an outbreak.

Baking soda and water is often touted as a great way to control the itching. In this case, baking soda and water are mixed up in a paste, which is applied to the affected area. In cases of things like eczema from poison ivy, this can help dull the itching enough for you to get some sleep. It should be noted, however, that people with very inflamed or broken skin might want to try this with caution- baking soda can sting very badly.

Lavender oil is another recommendation. In this case, a few drops of the oil (which has soothing and antibacterial properties) is mixed up in a carrier oil, like olive or sesame, and applied to the area. This helps moisturize rough, scaly patches, while the lavender itself helps soothe and calm inflamed, itchy skin. Only a few drops of lavender oil are necessary, however. It’s never a good idea to use any essential oil on skin undiluted, especially on skin that’s already compromised.

Tea tree oil is good for severe dandruff. In this case, tea tree oil can be mixed with regular shampoo to produce a 5% tea tree solution. The shampoo should be mixed well, applied to the hair and scalp, and allowed to sit for a few minutes. Tea tree oil has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-itching properties that make it helpful for controlling dandruff and scalp dermatitis.

Natural moisturizers like coconut oil, aloe vera, and even honey have all been touted as effective remedies. These are all soothing, moisturizing ingredients, and can even be blended together to be more effective. The only problem is that they do tend to be messy, so it’s important to cover the area with a loose dressing or clothing after applying them.

Because certain dietary imbalances can exacerbate eczema, many people swear by eating probiotic cultures to help control it. Things like yogurt, kefir, kombucha tea, or probiotic capsules can help keep the body’s levels of beneficial bacteria in balance, crowding out the harmful bacteria and yeasts that can cause flare-ups. The good thing about probiotics is that they can be combined with just about any other therapy, for a one-two punch.

Lastly, there are a number of over-the-counter remedies that can help. Hydrocortisone cream can help moisturize the affected area and reduce itching, while over the counter antihistamines can help mitigate a severe breakout. Not all of these remedies can be used long term, however, so it’s important to talk to your doctor if you find yourself using them every day for an extended period of time. They may choose to test you for allergies, or switch you to a prescription-strength treatment instead.

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Aug
20
2011

Causes

Eczema is one of the most common dermatological condition that afflicts people of any age, gender, or ethnicity. However, though it’s grouped under the catchall term eczema, this actually refers to a group of separate conditions. Therefore, it can have a very wide variety of different triggers, from diet to external factors.

For most people, it is triggered by an allergen. This can be either internal, like a food or chemical allergy, or external. In cases of of external origin, the reaction is usually confined to the area where contact with the allergen occurred. In situations where hand lotion or soap is the culprit, this usually means the hands, wrists, arms, and anywhere that the hands have touched while they had the offending chemical on them. In cases of internal origin, the reaction can appear anywhere. In most cases, it will end up showing up on the face, neck, chest, and trunk of the body. Certain foods are common triggers, like wheat, soy, nuts, dairy, and shellfish. In many cases, eliminating contact with allergens is enough to get rid of. However, it can take a long time for the body to stop reacting to an allergen. If you use hand soap once, and have a reaction to it, that reaction can persist for hours or even days after the initial contact occurred. For this reason, if you think you have food allergies that are causing your eczema, it’s necessary to eliminate potential triggers from your diet for anywhere from several days to several months before you can really begin to notice a difference in your skin.

Allergens aren’t the only causes, however. Sometimes, it appears where skin has been compromised or irritated. Areas of the body that wrinkle or fold in on themselves are common sites, like the elbows and stomach. This is because things like sweat, oils, and soap or lotion residue get trapped in these areas easily, and the increased friction between skin there makes it really easy for irritation to develop. It’s important to remember that someone doesn’t necessarily have to be allergic to a substance to become irritated by it. People with sensitive skin may not actually have allergic reactions to their triggers, but their skin will still end up inflamed and irritated upon exposure. Sometimes, it can take repeated exposures to something to allow development, which makes eliminating triggers more difficult than when something produces a definite, immediate response.

If you or someone you love is suffering from eczema, it’s critical that you look at every aspect of your lifestyle, not just what comes in contact with your skin. Anything from laundry soap to your lunch can cause a flare up, so it’s vitally important to take a good, hard look at all of the potential allergens and irritants that you come in contact with at home, at work, at school, and outdoors. By uncovering your specific triggers, you can work to eliminate them from your daily life.

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Aug
14
2011

Can Be Prevented?

Once its established, it can be hard to get eczema to go away. Many people want to try to treat the symptoms, like the scaling, inflammation, itching, and pain, but sometimes applying anything topically just makes matters worse. Eczema encompasses a wide variety of conditions with a wide variety of causes, so pinpointing exactly how to treat it can be very tricky. This makes a lot of people wonder if it’s possible to just prevent having to deal with it to begin with.

So, can it be prevented? The short answer is yes. In many cases, it is of a preventable origin. Some people will develop it out of the blue, but a lot of outbreaks are due to allergies, so preventing them is as easy as avoiding those allergens. This is simple when you’re talking about poison ivy, which the majority of the world’s population is allergic to. This becomes more complicated when you’re talking about something like wheat or dairy, which most people aren’t allergic to, but which it is entirely possible to develop a sudden allergy to without warning. In this case, prevention might not be completely feasible- after all, how can you know to avoid something that you had no problem eating yesterday? However, by diligently figuring out what triggered the outbreak by process of elimination, you can work to prevent future outbreaks from occurring.

Stress can be another contributor. Though few people will develop a rash from stress alone, stress seriously taxes all of the body’s systems, including the immune system. Undue amounts of stress will make you more likely to suffer a reaction. The best way to avoid that is to practice relaxation and stress management techniques. Take up meditation, yoga, or another relaxing, contemplative activity. Not only will this help reduce your stress level, it will help you stay happier and healthier overall.

Environmental irritants are another contributor. With the sudden emphasis on ‘green’ housekeeping, a lot of common household chemicals have been put under scrutiny. Now, we’re starting to understand just how much all of the chemicals around us can affect our health, including eczema. To prevent outbreaks, switch to unscented, all-natural cleaning products. This includes the soap you use on your skin, the laundry detergent you use on your clothes, and the air freshener you use in your home. Alcohols, fragrances, dyes, and preservatives are common triggers for many health problems, including allergies, headaches, and skin rashes. If you have the time and the ability, consider making your own cleaning products at home. If you make them, you can control every ingredient that goes into them, greatly lessening the chances that you’ll expose yourself to something that will trigger flare-up.

It can’t always be prevented, and sometimes it takes a breakout to show us that there’s a problem that needs prevention to begin with. By taking stock of all of the different potential allergens and irritating ingredients you come into contact with every day, you can drastically reduce the likelihood that you’ll suffer flare-up.

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