How to Treat Symptoms of Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) with Home Remedies

Eczema -also known as atopic dermatitis- is a skin condition that is characterized by red, angry skin (typically in the folds of joints, and on the neck, hands, feet and face) that often oozes.

Doctors often prescribe strong medications for this condition. One of these medications was recently found to cause skin cancer in users.

If you'd like to try natural home remedies to treat your eczema, read on.

Instructions

• 1

  Coconut oil is a rich emollient that soothes, softens, and heals irritated skin. Using 100% organic, unfiltered coconut oil is more beneficial to those with sensitive skin. This can be purchased at some grocery stores, and most health food stores.

• 2

  Exposure to sun (with sunblock) helps heal the skin because exposure to the sunlight kills the bacteria in cracked, open eczema patches.

• 3

  Spearmint leaf juice, applied to patches of eczema, provides cool relief from the pain and itching, If you can't find this product, steep some spearmint leaves in a pot of nearly-boiling water. Allow to cool completely, and apply this tea with cotton balls.

• 4

  Avoid contact with products that contain dyes and fragrances. Bathe instead with Cetaphil.

• 5

  Avoid bathing daily. Contrary to common sense, water can be dehydrating, and will irritate eczema.

• 6

  Bathe or shower in water as cool as you can stand. Heat is dehydrating and also exacerbates eczema.

• 7

  Grate fresh nutmeg, and combine with olive oil to form a paste. Apply the nutmeg paste to the inflamed patches of eczema. If you don't have olive oil, substitute another natural oil. Don't substitute water, as a water-based paste will dry and will be difficult to remove.