The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Sea Salt
Posted by Cynthdr96 (Litchfield Park, Arizona) on 04/12/2011
★★★★★
My has had eczema for 3 years now. I have tried everything that the doctors have told me to do. Than just this year my started swimming at her friends house. They have a salt water pool... It was amazing, that night she came down the stairs and said look mom!!! I thought oh dear it got worse. But be hold my eyes her Eczema was so much better and almost gone. So since than I let go swim over there, and it is gone now. I just make sure that she put some lotion at night to keep the mositer in her skin. SO do a study on salt water with people with eczema, and see the difference for yourself.
Honey
Posted by El (United States) on 04/21/2017
★★★★★
I love Manuka honey for ezcema.
Fish Oil
Posted by Elaine (Dallas, Texas) on 10/18/2010
★★★★☆
Eczema probably stems from a variety of reasons, and I think one of those reasons is TAPE WORMS. Many people have them and don't even know it, so I believe if you get rid of the tape worm, your skin will clear up. I have not tried ACV for eczema, but I take fish oil pills and they work just fine. It's not a cure but it remedies the problem until I stop taking the pills for a while. I had eczema since 22 and I am 33 now. Hope this helps.
Apple Fast
Posted by Tricia (Riverside, Ca) on 10/11/2010
★★★★★
I tried the 3 day apple detox, I had severe eczema on my back, doctors would prescribe hydrocortisone that would give temporary relief from itching but would never remove the ugly rash, I started the apple detox and finished in 3days the rash from my back has gone completely and no long itches. My skin is so smooth on my back and face.
Eliminate Dairy
Posted by Ca (Columbus, Oh) on 09/12/2010
★★★★★
I had bad eczema and my hands would crack and bleed. I was always looking for a new hand cream that would work, and found ones that would handle it but I had to constantly apply them. I almost never drink milk but I did eat cheese and other dairy products. After I eliminated dairy for a few days because I wanted to become vegan, the eczema on my hands went away. I was looking at them today and I can't believe how they look, they're fine. Very rarely I eat dairy now but it hasn't come back. I try to avoid all dairy products. People who have tried tons of creams but not this should try it. I don't need to use any hand creams now, my hands are never dry.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Zinc Cream, Propolis
Posted by Lyonya (Toronto, On) on 07/29/2010
★★★★☆
I had a terrible eczema for more than 2 years on joints of my fingers. It was in a form of little bumps that started on the joints of index finger on both hands and with time spread around to other joints and also spread to the area near the finger nails. I apply (topically) apple cider vinegar whenever I have an itching episode and then, I apply a generic "baby rash" cream with 15% zinc. I also use propolis (bees wax) to prevent inflammation (I also used polysporin for the same reason). After ~ 2 weeks the eczema was essentially gone. But when I stop using ACV (apple cider vinegar) new patches appear and it takes 2 weeks to completely heal the infected region.
Remark: I noticed that when I regularly use ACV, even when I don't have an itching episode, the spread of the "bumps" stop and the infected area gets better.
Apple Fast
Posted by Tanya (Orlando, Florida) on 06/11/2010
★★★★☆
I'm just giving an update on my eczema. I believe it just takes some time for the 3 day apple fast to work. Everyone is looking for that quick fix but healing is a slow process. The 3 day apple fast is a good start to clearing your eczema, just remember to drink lots of water and you will see results. My eczema is almost cleared totally up but the acne still remains. Believe me it's worth a try.
Baking Soda
Posted by Jean-marc (Gatineau, Canada) on 05/10/2010
★★★★☆
I have chonic eczema and use lots of cortisone cream that helps controll it. My skin was in very bad shape this spring, especially the neck. I tried sodium bicabornate (half a cup in the bath) and after two days,the improvement was spectacular. No more itching at night, my skin is soft, the eczema is gone almost completely. I don't think this is a cure, but it certainly helped me a lot. Good luck to all!
Discoid Eczema Remedies
Posted by Quiet (Wisconsin, Wisconsin Usa) on 05/17/2012
★★★★★
This will resolve the itchy blisters--makes them stop itching immediately and rapidly disappear. Apply 2x daily and continue at least overnight for at least a week after all visible signs are gone:
1. Wash with gentle soap and then gently with baking powder (sodium bicarbonate) Pat dry.
2. Apply thin coat of tea tree oil
3. Apply thin layer of coconut oil.
4. Paint effected area with thin coat of zinc paste. (I used one that also contained castor oil, was made for babies and had no added scent.
Cover effected areas to prevent touching anything. Is it contagious? Maybe. Clean everything In your household, using bleach when possible.
Those four steps are the heart of this treatment. I also took turmeric with pepper during treatment, but am not certain that is essential. (1 tsp w/ pepper 3x daily during active phase; tapered to 1 tsp / day during "99.9%" sure it is gone phase ( the extra week)
The first time I tried this, all blistering was gone in 10 days. Furthermore, at step 2 or 3 above, the itching stops, so you will be comfortable.
Good luck.
Vitamin D
Posted by Carol (Charlotte, Nc) on 04/01/2010
★★★★★
First off - I love Earth Clinic. Thanks to all of you who write in and offer advice. This site has helped me on many occasions. Concerning my eczema - I suffered from eczema all over my hands for 5-6 years after the birth of my son. It was extremely embarrassing, itched like crazy and made me absolutely miserable. I wish I could have enjoyed those early years with my son, but I did not because of the horrible itch, pain, and embarrassment. I know it was very much stress related. I tried all kinds of remedies - watch my diet, omega 3's, and multiple vitamins, etc... When my son went to kindergarten, the stress level went down and my hands got better, but still aggravated. It was not until I went to have a physical and had my Vit. D level checked that I believe I found the answer. Optimal Vit. D level should be over 50, and mine was 20. So I started to supplement with Vit.D and my hands immediately cleared up. Interestingly, so did that "redness and heat" within my body that I always felt was with me. I haven't had my level checked again but I am still on higher than usual doses. I also learned that if you are overweight, you require more Vit. D because the fat cells absorb a lot of it. Most folks supplement with 1000 a day but I take 5 - 6,000 a day. Also, I learned that going outside can work but you have to live where the sun is just right in relation to your location, has to be the right time of the day, and need 15 minutes of that sun on large parts of your body - like arms and legs. And in the winter in most of the USA, there is no way to get enough Vit D. from the sun. Also, there is a huge deficiency nationwide of Vit. D. And this causes all kinds of illnesses. There is a major epidemic of Vit. D deficiency. I found that when I got my Vit. D. level up, my hands cleared up, and I stopped getting colds, flu, etc... Actually, quite amazing. This is especially true of elderly who hardly ever get any sun and have lower immune function anyway. Bottom line: If you don't know your Vit. D, get it checked. If below 50, supplement or make intentional effort to get nature's Vit.D - the sun most every day.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Tavora (Brooklyn, Ny) on 08/16/2009
Hi - I read a book called Green for Life and the author's daughter had cured her asthma w/ a drink (her mother create) called 'Green Smoothies'. The whole family are raw foodists but each (the author, her husband, and two children) had very significant health problems. By changing their diets and drinking 2-3 quarts (sometimes more) of green smoothies a day - all their health issues went away. The son even 'cured' his juvenile diabetes....(the author will recommend to drink at least 1 quart to start). For healing purposes - 2-3 gallons.
The smoothies may help with your asthma and tame your eczema. From what I know - dairy products are a huge trigger w/ eczema. But one other thing to consider for your asthma is Mullein tea. It is an expectorant and helps strengthen the respiratory system. Many blessings!
Eliminate Dairy
Posted by Connie (Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA) on 07/31/2009
★★★★★
I can't speak for everyone, obviously, but the eczema on my arms returns when I drink milk or eat ice cream.
Vitamin B-Complex
Posted by Lisa (Lawton, OK) on 12/01/2007
★★★★★
I was diagnosed with eczema many years ago. The Dr. prescribed some medication, but I didn't want to take it because I was pregnant at the time. Tried Vitamin B-Complex after reading about the benefits. I took 1 in the morning and 1 at night and the eczema started to clear up after about 3 weeks. I then started taking just 1 pill a day and if I get lazy and don't take it for several days, I start feeling the "itch" starting. This might help Jordan with the "itchy bumps". I hope so. I'm somewhat of a petite person; I don't know if body weight would affect the amount of B-complex needed to see possible improvement.
Honey
Posted by seagull (Atlanta, GA) on 07/03/2007
★★★★★
i read the suggestion of using honey for eczema - i mixed honey with some vaseline for easier spreadability and then put on cotton gloves - altho it took several days - it worked!! the palms of my hands are almost clear now - were really bad. great idea - tx so much!!
Jojoba Oil
Posted by Dawn (Pocahontas, usa) on 05/11/2007
★★★★★
Pure Jojoba oil has cleared up my daughters eczema ; shampoo without sulphates cleared up her eczema.
Eliminate Citric Acid
Posted by Kate (Adelaide, SA, Australia) on 06/28/2009
★★★★★
I would say that Teri from Atlanta is on the right track regarding citrus. I had eczema all of my childhood. My family and I eventually came to the realization that acidic properties were to blame, in particular oranges. Every since that discovery I have stayed well clear of them. I also have to watch my intake of other acidic fruits such as tomatoes, lemons, limes and even grapes. Your little one is so young, but even now you can record what you feed her each day and in another column you can write her reaction to that food, if any. Eventually you will see a pattern form. There may be one or more culprits. As your daughter gets older, the key is to put a topical cream on before she feels the itch. That is if you want to use that on her skin. I used to apply it once I had already starting scratching and by that point it was useless because it would just make me want to scratch even more. When I learned to apply it religiously (about 2-3 times per day) it would be more controllable. Stay away from soap, there are plenty of soap free products today that will be gentler for your baby's sensitive skin. The worst thing one can do is scratch an eczema spot 'vigorously' as that will only spread it. Just digging a nail lightly in or even just pressing against the itchy point is usually enough to relieve the itch. Remember 'Knowledge Is Power' so explore this condition as much as you can and you will help your daughter no end.
Turmeric
Posted by SuSu (Sacramento, CA) on 02/03/2007
★★★★★
After taking turmeric, 1/4 heaping tsp, and then stopping, I realized that the eczema on my palms had disappeared and then returned when I quit taking the turmeric. I resumed and it's been gone ever since.
Table Salt
Posted by Celene (West Springfield, MA) on 11/18/2006
★★★★★
I tried using a teaspoon of table salt, mixed with a little warm water to form a paste. I applied it to the side of my nose (where the crease is) because i have a very itchy patch of skin there that I can't seem to stop scratching! Putting salt on itchy skin works! It breaks the scratch/itch cycle, but eating garlic everyday will help also!
Honey
Posted by Connie (HoHoKus, NJ) on 03/16/2006
★★★★★
I had a kind of eczema in the corner upper eye lid which refused to go away for months. After trying many different remedies, I decided to try honey after reading about its healing properties. One application did it, it was amazing!!!!
Rice Water
Posted by noel (california) on 01/05/2025
★★★★★
saw a post on Twitter about soaking white rice (or any type of rice) in water for 24 hours? then applying the water to your eczema. Not sure if it works, but some replies were positive, and saw some reddit posts talking about it too. I'm not 100% sure on how long to soak the rice; some people say 30 minutes while others say 3 days, while others mentioned bathing in rice water. I soaked about 1 Tablespoon of white rice in about 3-4 Tablespoons distilled water for 6 days and it kind of smelled kinda rancid but seems to still work okay, but you might not want to soak it more than a couple days.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Vera (Colorado) on 02/19/2025
Noel, we talked a while back, and I suggested high dose biotin, as biotin is often a cure for seb. eczema. You sounded interested at that time. Have you tried it since?
