4 Natural Ways to Soothe Eczema

Unfortunately for us battling with eczema, we have realized that it will never go away. It is something that I had to learn to live with as well as my son and I know that it is something that every family can relate to. When my son was a baby, he had severe eczema. It was so severe that he had it in main spots on his body such as his face, elbows, and ankles.  I took him to numerous doctors and they prescribed steroids and over the counter medicines to help control the problem and none of them work. You can imagine how frustrating that can be. When he actually used those products, it would either discolor his skin or make him want to scratch and irritate himself even more. I wanted to do research and see if there were natural ways that I can help soothe his skin. For me, the pain of dealing with dry, itchy, and patchy skin while trying to find ways to keep it moisturize has always been a problem.  The good news is that there are some ways that have worked and I am overly excited to share with you natural remedies to manage and soothe your eczema:

1. Coconut Oil- Coconut oil is one of those ancient traditions that has been kept a hidden secret for years. Coconut oil is extracted from the heart of the coconut. Not only is coconut oil used for cooking, it is also used for medicinal purposes such as keeping your skin nourished and well balanced from the inside and outside.  Coconut oil is my first choice to soothe eczema because it is anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and it really helps soothe the pain and the itching by being incredibly moisturizing. It is safe and effective due to its high fatty acids properties and due to it being without the addition of impurities such as fragrances or additives.  It is also packed with Vitamins E and K as well as caprylic acid. Caprylic acid is also found in breast milk and is one of the three fatty acids in coconut milk. There are several ways to apply coconut oil.  You can apply directly to the skin in a thin layer twice a day or depending upon your condition. Coconut oil is rich in texture, so a little bit goes along way. I would also recommend to use virgin coconut oil because of its properties.  Virgin coconut oil is natural and non-toxic, does not have additional chemicals added, and is not bleached like refined coconut oil. As with any product, I would test a small patch of skin before using for adverse reactions, but allergies due to coconut oil is rare. Another way to use coconut oil is to take a coconut bath. Just simply add to your warm water and relax in it.  You can use between 2-4 tablespoons. If you want to add and essential oil for aromatherapy benefits, you can add a ½ teaspoon to the oil. If your eczema is not as severe, try using a coconut oil band aide. Place the oil on a soaked band-aid or bandage and apply to skin for about twenty minutes or until the bandage or band-aid is dry. It helps throughout the night and makes it comfortable for you little ones to sleep.

2. Tea Tree Essential Oil- When purchasing essential oils, it is recommended to find only the purest high quality and high grade oils that are 100%. Tea Tree oil comes from the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree. Tea Tree oil is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and it helps with treating the infection resulting from scratching and inflammation. You can apply it directly to the skin, but be careful not to overdo it. If you have sensitivities to your skin, test on a small area first. You can find tea tree oil in many of your favorite beauty and bath products. Making a tea tree paste with your favorite carrier oil such as sweet almond or jojoba oil is one of the better options.  Combine 5 to 10 drops of oil with a ½ cup of carrier oil, mix, and apply.  If you’re on the go and don’t have time to make this paste, you can add 10-15 drops in your bath water. Tea tree is not safe to take orally and is not recommended to use in ears.

3. Oatmeal- You can always take it back to nature and go with what mother earth have to offer. Oatmeal has been seen as a medicinal part of the natural community of remedies for generations. It’s also a natural cleanser that keeps your skin soft and smooth. You can add 1 to 2 cups or 1 to 2 packets to your bath water. When you are finished, pat dry with a towel. Be careful getting out of the tub! It can be slick due to the tub being coated with the oatmeal.

4. A wet suite for infants and toddlers- This fourth tip is strictly for infants and toddlers. When my son was of that age, I experimented with several options and I found this actually worked! What am I speaking of when it comes to a wet suite? Layering them in clothing. It can be any type of clothing such as a simple white t-shirt that snaps at the bottom and a onesie to be the top outer layer. Soak the t-shirt in warm water and then put it on the baby. (Make sure to test the water on you first to make sure it is not to hot) The t-shirt should be immersed in water. Once you put on the t-shirt, automatically follow with the dry onesie. This wet suite will comfort and keep the infected areas with moisture while softening the scab. With my experience, I repeated these steps two to three times a day. This can last up to 4 hours.

There you have it. Four natural ways to soothe your eczema. It’s important to know that you are not alone dealing with it. There are no known official cures to eczema yet, so keeping it under control is vital. 

If you have tried any of the tips above, be sure to share as well. We would love to hear from you!!