Eczema affects 31.6 million people in the US, or around 10 percent of the population.
Although there is no cure, dietary and lifestyle changes can help reduce eczema flare-ups. Eczema sufferers can also soothe the itching and calm their inflamed skin with OTC and prescription creams. There's even limited support for DIY treatments such as bathing in bleach-infused water.
But what about other eczema home remedies for itch relief? If the idea of soaking in a bleach bath doesn't appeal to you, you'll be pleased to hear that there's more than one home remedy for eczema.
Read on to find out more about the natural products you can use as home remedies for eczema.
Top 7 Best Home Remedies For Eczema
Coconut Oil
As explained in greater detail below, applying an oil to your skin shortly after showering is great for locking in moisture. By hydrating the skin, you also help reduce the chance of an eczema flare-up.
Thanks to its antibacterial abilities, coconut oil is especially effective for eczema-prone skin. Inflamed and cracked skin can allow bacteria to enter, but coconut oil helps prevent this.
Coconut oil is also a popular eczema home remedy for many people because of the healthy fatty acids it contains. These are ideal for adding much-needed moisture to dry skin, making cracking and sores less likely.
When it comes to using coconut oil on your skin, make sure it's virgin coconut oil. This type of coconut oil is far more effective at improving the health of your skin barrier and combating inflammation than mineral oil.
Aloe Vera Gel
Derived from the leaves of the aloe plant, aloe vera gel has a long history of medicinal use. Its ability to soothe the skin and help with everything from sunburn to acne makes aloe vera gel an obvious eczema home remedy candidate.
According to a scientific review, aloe vera gel is antimicrobial and antimicrobial. The research also showed that it has the ability to boost the immune system and heal wounds. These properties make aloe vera gel ideal for soothing broken skin and preventing infections.
To benefit from this natural treatment you can take the gel right from inside the leaves of an aloe plant yourself or buy it online or in health stores. But if buy the gel, make sure to choose one without added ingredients such as preservatives, fragrances, or alcohol. These can irritate and dry out your skin and may even make your eczema worse.
Sunflower Oil
Extracted from sunflower seeds, this oil can help to protect the skin barrier by locking in moisture and keeping bacteria out.
Sunflower oil is also loaded with fatty acids, which help stop skin infections. And, thanks to the linoleic acid it contains as well as its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, sunflower oil promotes skin regeneration for faster healing and a stronger skin barrier.
If used on wet skin after bathing, sunflower oil is especially good at hydrating skin. This makes itching and inflammation less likely to occur. But, ensure you choose an organic, cold-pressed sunflower oil for the best results.
Calendula Cream
People have been using calendula cream as a treatment for burns, cuts, and skin inflammations for centuries. And, although there's only limited empirical research into its use, anecdotal evidence suggests that this herbal remedy also acts as a natural eczema cream.
Calendula cream works by improving blood flow to injured or inflamed areas. It also hydrates the skin and helps fight infection for multi-faceted eczema relief.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Also called 'avena sativa', colloidal oatmeal consists of ground and boiled oats. It's available as a cream or powder and has many skin-healing benefits.
Colloidal oatmeal has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. For eczema sufferers, this means it can help with itching intensity, skin dryness, roughness, and scaling. Research supports this, showing that colloidal oatmeal moisturizer is more effective as treating cracked, dry skin than generic moisturizers.
For the best results, use both the powder and cream forms together. To do so, add the powder to a lukewarm bath and soak for around 15 minutes. This will help relieve itching and soften your skin. After your bath, pat your skin dry and then apply a generous amount of colloidal oatmeal moisturizer over your body.
As with other eczema home remedies for itch relief, make sure to choose colloidal oatmeal products without fragrances or additives to avoid irritating your skin. If you are allergic to oats then you should avoid this product altogether, while those with gluten allergies should exercise caution since oats are often processed with wheat.
Honey
As a natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent, honey is well known for its powerful healing abilities.
A recent review confirmed honey's effectiveness at healing wounds and boosting immunity. And, that this combination is powerful for fighting off infection. Likewise, another scientific review supported the use of honey for a variety of skin ailments, including burns and minor cuts. This study also showed that honey has good antibacterial capabilities.
To harness the benefits of honey, use Manuka honey products on eczema wounds and broken skin. This can help prevent infections while providing much-needed moisture and encouraging healing.
Evening Primrose Oil
Despite mixed results for the use of evening primrose oil as an eczema treatment, many people swear by it.
You can apply this oil, which comes from the evening primrose plant to the skin or take it by mouth in the treatment of eczema.
When applied as a topical treatment, evening primrose oil helps to soothe and hydrate cracked and irritated skin. When taken by mouth, the linoleic acid and omega-6 fatty acids it contains can help reduce inflammation in the body.
Home Remedy for Eczema
As these home remedies for eczema show, there are plenty of everyday products that can provide relief from dry and itchy skin. Some even have the power to boost your skin barrier and fight off infection.
That said, some people tend to experience mixed results with natural treatments. As such, it pays to try a few until you find the top home remedy for eczema that works best for your skin condition.
For more of the latest health and lifestyle tips, be sure to check out our other blog posts! Visit the Healthcare and Frugal Fitness sections to improve your health on a frugal budget.
Coconut Oil
As explained in greater detail below, applying an oil to your skin shortly after showering is great for locking in moisture. By hydrating the skin, you also help reduce the chance of an eczema flare-up.
Thanks to its antibacterial abilities, coconut oil is especially effective for eczema-prone skin. Inflamed and cracked skin can allow bacteria to enter, but coconut oil helps prevent this.
Coconut oil is also a popular eczema home remedy for many people because of the healthy fatty acids it contains. These are ideal for adding much-needed moisture to dry skin, making cracking and sores less likely.
When it comes to using coconut oil on your skin, make sure it's virgin coconut oil. This type of coconut oil is far more effective at improving the health of your skin barrier and combating inflammation than mineral oil.
Aloe Vera Gel
Derived from the leaves of the aloe plant, aloe vera gel has a long history of medicinal use. Its ability to soothe the skin and help with everything from sunburn to acne makes aloe vera gel an obvious eczema home remedy candidate.
According to a scientific review, aloe vera gel is antimicrobial and antimicrobial. The research also showed that it has the ability to boost the immune system and heal wounds. These properties make aloe vera gel ideal for soothing broken skin and preventing infections.
To benefit from this natural treatment you can take the gel right from inside the leaves of an aloe plant yourself or buy it online or in health stores. But if buy the gel, make sure to choose one without added ingredients such as preservatives, fragrances, or alcohol. These can irritate and dry out your skin and may even make your eczema worse.
Sunflower Oil
Extracted from sunflower seeds, this oil can help to protect the skin barrier by locking in moisture and keeping bacteria out.
Sunflower oil is also loaded with fatty acids, which help stop skin infections. And, thanks to the linoleic acid it contains as well as its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, sunflower oil promotes skin regeneration for faster healing and a stronger skin barrier.
If used on wet skin after bathing, sunflower oil is especially good at hydrating skin. This makes itching and inflammation less likely to occur. But, ensure you choose an organic, cold-pressed sunflower oil for the best results.
Calendula Cream
People have been using calendula cream as a treatment for burns, cuts, and skin inflammations for centuries. And, although there's only limited empirical research into its use, anecdotal evidence suggests that this herbal remedy also acts as a natural eczema cream.
Calendula cream works by improving blood flow to injured or inflamed areas. It also hydrates the skin and helps fight infection for multi-faceted eczema relief.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Also called 'avena sativa', colloidal oatmeal consists of ground and boiled oats. It's available as a cream or powder and has many skin-healing benefits.
Colloidal oatmeal has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. For eczema sufferers, this means it can help with itching intensity, skin dryness, roughness, and scaling. Research supports this, showing that colloidal oatmeal moisturizer is more effective as treating cracked, dry skin than generic moisturizers.
For the best results, use both the powder and cream forms together. To do so, add the powder to a lukewarm bath and soak for around 15 minutes. This will help relieve itching and soften your skin. After your bath, pat your skin dry and then apply a generous amount of colloidal oatmeal moisturizer over your body.
As with other eczema home remedies for itch relief, make sure to choose colloidal oatmeal products without fragrances or additives to avoid irritating your skin. If you are allergic to oats then you should avoid this product altogether, while those with gluten allergies should exercise caution since oats are often processed with wheat.
Honey
As a natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent, honey is well known for its powerful healing abilities.
A recent review confirmed honey's effectiveness at healing wounds and boosting immunity. And, that this combination is powerful for fighting off infection. Likewise, another scientific review supported the use of honey for a variety of skin ailments, including burns and minor cuts. This study also showed that honey has good antibacterial capabilities.
To harness the benefits of honey, use Manuka honey products on eczema wounds and broken skin. This can help prevent infections while providing much-needed moisture and encouraging healing.
Evening Primrose Oil
Despite mixed results for the use of evening primrose oil as an eczema treatment, many people swear by it.
You can apply this oil, which comes from the evening primrose plant to the skin or take it by mouth in the treatment of eczema.
When applied as a topical treatment, evening primrose oil helps to soothe and hydrate cracked and irritated skin. When taken by mouth, the linoleic acid and omega-6 fatty acids it contains can help reduce inflammation in the body.
Home Remedy for Eczema
As these home remedies for eczema show, there are plenty of everyday products that can provide relief from dry and itchy skin. Some even have the power to boost your skin barrier and fight off infection.
That said, some people tend to experience mixed results with natural treatments. As such, it pays to try a few until you find the top home remedy for eczema that works best for your skin condition.
For more of the latest health and lifestyle tips, be sure to check out our other blog posts! Visit the Healthcare and Frugal Fitness sections to improve your health on a frugal budget.
