There are countless types of home remedy’s for eczema that well meaning people have passed on over time. A home remedy for eczema is often formulated through trial and error. Each one of us is different and our bodies respond differently to different regimens.

Formulating a good home remedy for eczema that will work for you requires patience. It can sometimes take quite a while before you experience any improvement. Whilst trying out a new home remedy for your eczema, it is important to remember that this type of treatment is complementary- that is the treatment is intended to be used alongside you conventional medicine or medication not to replace it totally. (more…)

Most babies who suffer from eczema have atopic eczema where the condition is hereditary and allergy related.

The most common symptoms of atopic baby eczema are dry, itchy and inflamed skin that causes redness, swelling, weeping and scaling. Although it can affect any area of the body atopic eczema is most commonly found on the head, face, neck, arms and behind the knees.

Moisturise the skin

One of the most important things to do when trying to control atopic baby eczema is keep the skin moist. You can simply rub a good moisturiser into the skin after bathing and before bedtime or you can add a bath oil to the bath water. Allow your baby to soak in the water for 10 – 15 minutes to enable the bath oil to penetrate into the skin and offer a protective layer over the top of the skin.

I believe the bath oil is the most effective form of moisturising a small baby’s skin all over. However a combination of both will more adequately offer 24 hour moisture. (more…)

Eczema is an inflammation of the skin causing the skin to become red, dry and itchy. As with many conditions the severity varies from person to person. Some people experience a mildly itchy rash on a small part of the body and consider it a mild irritation. For others the eczema covers their entire body, is extremely itchy and the skin cracks and becomes painful.

Who Gets Eczema?

Most people think eczema only affects children but anyone can get eczema at any age. Your Guide To Eczema is a terrific resource to help you understand eczema just that little bit better. It affects both males and females equally. You are more likely to develop eczema if there is a family history of eczema, asthma or hayfever (allergic rhinitis).

What Does Eczema Look Like?

Eczema skin is usually very dry and scaly. Due to the itchiness of eczema and the excessive scratching scratch marks and broken skin are not uncommon. Check out eczema photos at the excellent Epismooth.com site. Continuous scratching will cause the skin to thicken and broken skin may lead to a skin infection.

A baby developing eczema between the ages of 2 – 4 months usually has inflammation of the skin with oozing and crusting. For a child not developing eczema until around 2 years of age the oozing and crusting is less common as the rash is usually dryer and scaly. (more…)

Treating and controlling eczema is not always as easy as you would expect and for those with severe eczema it can be a very time consuming task.

The most important aspect of treating eczema is to keep the skin well moisturised. Dry skin is a major problem for people with eczema so it is important to avoid anything that will dry the skin like soaps, dyes, perfumes and chemicals. Applying a moisturiser regularly is also very important.

Creams and Ointments

For some keeping the skin well moisturised is sufficient to control the rash but for most the symptoms will need to be controlled by a medicated cream (I recommend Calendulis Plus Cream). Traditionally steroid based creams have been used to control eczema and whilst these are often very effective they are not suitable for long term use as they do have some side effects.

Recently there has been a trend towards treating eczema with natural creams. These are available over the counter at chemists, health stores and the internet. There are many to choose from and it is a matter of personal preference which one is chosen to be used. The main advantage to natural creams is their reduction in side effects and the ability to use them long term when the eczema symptoms are persistent.

Increasing your omega 3 levels by increasing the amount of oily fish you eat or by taking supplements will also help to reduce the inflammation of eczema there by reducing the uncomfortable symptoms associated with eczema.

The Allergy Aspect

Flare ups of eczema are often caused by allergy. Finding what you are allergic to and removing it from your life will help to control your eczema. Unfortunately this is not always an easy task.

Common allergies causing eczema flare ups are pollens, some foods, animal dander, chemicals and dust mite. Stress and climate changes are also common triggers of eczema. It is impossible to say what causes each person’s eczema without determining their allergies and assessing their environment. However if the culprit can be determined and removed your eczema will be less severe or may even disappear totally.

The classic eczema symptoms are:

• itchiness
• redness
• dryness
• scaling

However, there are also many other eczema symptoms that are not obviously related to the skin. Symptoms such as thirst caused by loss of fluid from the skins tissues, over sensitivity to cold and heat, and the prevalence of other allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever, are all types of eczema symptoms that many people experience.

Following is a brief list of the most common eczema symptoms you may experience.

Skin inflammation: swelling of the skin surface and the underlying tissues.

Redness: caused by widening of the blood vessels in the skin and an associated increase in blood flow to the affected area.

Itching: can vary in intensity and leads to inflammation that can result in infection.

Dry, scaly skin: depends on the individuals skin type, but dry skin can often predispose a person to the development of eczema.

Pale skin and loss of pigmentation: due to reduced blood flow caused by eczema’s disruptive effect on the skin’s circulation.

Thick leathery skin: over time the skin can become thicker due to constant scratching. The skin tries to protect itself from this by producing more keratin (the tough protective protein found in skin cells).

Much controversy and argument surrounds the idea that food may play a role in triggering eczema. It has only been in recent years that doctors and health professionals have become aware of the significance of diet on eczema.

It is now generally acknowledged that some 10 – 25 percent of people are affected by food sensitivity, and it has become much more widely accepted that food intolerance may play a big part in eczema.

For many people, a change in diet is the crucial factor in the successful control of eczema. The underlying philosophy “ you are what you eat “ can be very true for people who are suffering from eczema. By paying attention to the food we eat and through planning a careful diet, the closer you will be able to get to understanding the underlying cause of your eczema flare ups. (more…)

Eczema is term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated.

The most common type of eczema is known as atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema. Atopic refers to a group of diseases with an often inherited tendency to develop other allergic conditions, such as asthma and hay fever.

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, the prevalence of atopic eczema is increasing and affects 9 to 30% of the U.S. population. It is particularly common in young children and infants. While many infants who develop the condition outgrow it by their second birthday, some people continue to experience symptoms on and off throughout life. With proper treatment, the disease can be controlled in the majority of sufferers. (more…)

Atopic eczema

This is the most common form of eczema. Although both adults and children can develop atopic eczema it is predominantly considered a childhood condition.

The term ‘atopic’ refers to a person who is prone to allergy. Most children who develop atopic eczema inherit it from their parents. It is however not eczema itself that they inherit but rather the tendency for their body to overreact to certain triggers in their environment. These substances most commonly include house dust mite, pollens, proteins on cat and dog fur and some foods.

The most common symptom of atopic eczema is itchiness. There is also overall dryness of the skin, redness and inflammation. Constant scratching can also cause the skin to split, leaving it more likely to become infected. (more…)