What is Atopic Dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis, also called Eczema, is a long-term skin condition that causes the skin to become itchy and inflamed. The condition usually affects the areas of skin that come into contact with water, like the wrists, neck and inside of the elbow. The condition is not contagious.

The condition affects just under 5% of children and 2% of adults. It tends to start in early childhood and can be triggered by factors such as being born into a family with other eczema sufferers, a lack of vitamin D, allergies, asthma, smoking during pregnancy or a family history of asthma or eczema.

What are the Causes of Eczema?

Eczema is a chronic condition. It can affect anyone, regardless of age and sex. But, those who are prone to eczema have a family history of this condition. Several things can trigger the start of this condition. Since there are several causes for eczema, knowing what and why it occurs is important. If you want to know more about this condition and the possible causes of eczema, below are some of them:

1. Genetics: Eczema can be passed from one generation to the next.
2. Diet consisting of allergenic food like egg whites, fish, nuts etc. 
3. Infections like chickenpox, staphylococcus, streptococcus etc.
4. Some drugs may also cause allergic reactions in some people.
5. It can also have underlying causes like an allergic reaction to some food items or stress. 

When something as simple as touching the skin to change clothes or even scratching your skin while trying to remove a spot can cause rashes, redness and scaly patches, it is a concern.

Eczema is not just a rash that occurs on the surface of the skin. It can be caused by many factors such as your skin type and how prone it is to rashes, rubbing or scratching of your skin and exposure to environmental factors such as dust, dirt and dryness.

Getting Started With Home Remedies for Eczema

Eczema is a chronic skin disease affecting people of all ages. Though it can be extremely irritating, itching, and causing constant discomfort, there is an effective cure for eczema.

Once your doctor has diagnosed you with eczema they will be able to prescribe treatment depending on the severity of your symptoms. In most cases, topical treatments are prescribed which are applied directly to the affected areas of the skin.

Given below are some of the home remedies that can help treat eczema naturally.

1. Aloe vera gel: Aloe vera gel is derived from the leaves of the aloe vera plant and has been in use for centuries to treat a wide range of skin ailments. A systematic review reports that aloe vera has anti-infection properties that can prevent skin infections and skin dryness. It also promotes faster healing of wounds.

2. Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic and people with eczema may have less acidic skin than others. Hence apple cider vinegar when diluted can be applied to balance the skin’s acidity levels. Apple cider vinegar can fight bacteria as well and can prevent broken skin from becoming infected.

3. Colloidal oatmeal: Colloidal oatmeal is made from oats that have been ground and boiled to extract their skin-healing properties. A study reports that colloidal oatmeal lotion has anti-infection properties that can improve skin dryness, scaling, itchiness, etc. Colloidal oatmeal is generally safe to use for all ages, but people who are allergic to oats should avoid it.

4. Coconut oil: Apply virgin or cold-pressed coconut oil directly to eczema affected areas in order to moisturize the area and reduce the growth of bacteria. Use it once or twice per day on damp skin.

5. Baths: Bathing every day is essential to treat conditions like eczema as it can help your skin stay hydrated and keep infections at bay. There are different kinds of baths that you can try to treat eczema naturally like oatmeal baths, bleach baths, vinegar baths, baking soda baths, etc. Do not forget to apply moisturizer on affected areas of your skin within 3-5 minutes of getting out of the bath to stop the skin from drying out.

6. Honey: Honey is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent that has been used to heal wounds for centuries. Honey can fight off infections and therefore dabbing a small amount of honey on the affected area can help reduce the effects of eczema by moisturizing the skin and speeding the healing process.

7. Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help in healing wounds and prevent skin dryness, itchiness and infections. Make sure to dilute tea tree oil before using them directly on your skin. Try mixing them with a carrier oil such as almond oil or olive oil. 

8. Natural moisturizers: Natural moisturizers like sunflower oil, Cardiospermum can help lock in moisture and relieve itchiness. 

9. Dietary changes: Some foods that can help in reducing inflammation and infections are fish, beans, lentils, colourful fruits, leafy vegetables, turmeric and cinnamon. Try eliminating foods like dairy, soy, eggs and wheat from your diet for few days as these foods usually aggravate inflammation.

10. Gentle soaps and detergents: Usually, body soaps and cleansers contain harsh detergents that make the skin dry, especially in people with eczema. Therefore, try using a gentle, no-lather and fragrance-free cleanser and body soaps so that they don’t irritate your skin.

Take Away

Eczema is an allergic reaction of the skin that causes dryness of the skin. It can be irritating and very uncomfortable. If you have eczema, chances are that the affected area will become dry, cracked and itchy. The home remedies explained above can help in treating eczema naturally. However, if you are suffering from severe forms of eczema, we recommend consulting a specialist.

Modern treatment includes medications like taking steroids or applying creams and lotions containing steroids and corticosteroids.