4 Home Remedies for Eczema

When you’re in the midst of an eczema flare-up, there’s bound to be just one thing on your mind, and that’s to find a way to make the itching stop. 

Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that has no cure. While there are plenty of ways to manage it, sometimes a breakout rears its ugly head and you’re left with skin that’s dry, red, and so itchy. 

If you’re experiencing severe and frequent eczema flare-ups, our team at Integrated Dermatology of 19th Street in Washington, DC, wants to offer four remedies you can try at home that can relieve the itching, hydrate your skin, and keep further flare-ups at bay. 

1. Soothe your skin with topical treatments

For irritated skin plagued by eczema, you can try out some different topical treatments to see if any of them work to calm the flare-up. These are the ones that are most commonly reported to be effective:

• Coconut oil
• Sunflower oil
• Evening primrose oil
• Colloidal oatmeal
• Witch hazel
• Aloe vera

You may also want to try applying a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer often to restore your skin’s protective barrier. In addition, adding less than ¼ cup of bleach or white vinegar to a full bath about once a week can not only calm your skin but also prevent infection from settling into any breaks in your skin. 

2. Take a closer look at your diet

There are a lot of aspects to your diet that could be contributing to worsening eczema. Some foods commonly linked to eczema breakouts include eggs, nuts, shellfish, and cow’s milk. 

In addition, since eczema is an inflammatory condition, eating a diet that actively lowers inflammation could be helpful. The Mediterranean diet is a great tool to use since it focuses on consuming whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. It also encourages avoiding processed foods, simple carbohydrates, saturated fats, and refined sugars. 

3. Keep your stress levels in check

Stress is a common trigger for eczema flare-ups since high stress can raise bodily inflammation. If you’re having trouble lowering stress and anxiety, try out these relaxation techniques and exercises:

• Meditation
• Yoga
• Tai chi
• Deep breathing
• Music therapy 

Seeing a mental health professional for cognitive behavioral therapy can also help identify your specific stress trigger points and offer healthy ways to cope. 

4. Try out a humidifier 

The drier your skin is, the worse your eczema will be. If the air in your home is dry, it’s going to make it much harder to stay on top of keeping your skin hydrated. Placing a cooling humidifier in your bedroom can help add some much-needed moisture back into your skin. 

If you find that you’re still having difficulties keeping your skin eczema-free, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our team to find some effective solutions. Call our office at 202-955-6995 or use our online scheduler to book with us today.