Effective Natural Eczema Treatments for Soothing Relief

Cold Showers

Posted by Meagan (Logan, Ut) on 03/11/2012
★★★★★

Cold showers always have helped my eczema when it flares up. The cold water makes your circulation go faster and the cold water itself purges toxins from the pores in your skin. This helps acne as well.

You can rub almond, coconut or olive oil on afterwards for extra moisturizing.

Neem Oil

Posted by Fazeila921 (Atlanta, Ga) on 01/21/2012
★★★★★

I read online that neem is good for eczema. I happened to have some neem powder at home that I purchased for use on my hair and face masks. I decided to try the powder in a warm tub of water and soaked in it. It took the itch away immediately. So, the next I purchased 100% organic neem seed oil from Whole Foods. I rubbed it on with a little tea tree oil and I felt instant relief. I put it on the next morning and again the following night. The eczema subsided! Now I am left with the really ugly dark scars from the eczema but it is flat, no longer red or itchy and on my way to recovery.

Warning: Neem seed oil stinks!! It's like a cross between onions, garlic & cabbage soup. This is how it smells normally. Very unpleasant but it works. I will definitely keep a bottle handy just in case I have another episode.

P.S. I've tried using tea tree oil alone for eczema in the past and it didn't really help much. I also tried applying apple cider vinegar and it burned like hell and didn't help much either. It was the neem that zapped away the eczema for sure.

L-Carnitine, Flax and Borage

Posted by Gautami (Uk) on 10/23/2016

Thank you for posting that info, Dianne, it really makes sense for me, I haven't had eczema for 20 yrs, but had a recent flare up on my chin and under my eye. What's changed in my habits?

1) I switched from a more expensive omega 3-6-9 balanced supplement which included Eve Primrose Oil (GLA) to a cheaper Flax seed oil and have been taking a high dose for some muscoskeletal inflammation. It worked for that but maybe I overdid it and now have an imbalance.

2) I lost over a stone on the intermittent fasting diet where one only has 500-600 calsa day for 2 days a week. However I upped my coffee consumption those days and I work out. The combo of fasting, exercise and coffee would cause my body to metabolise triglycerides/ fatty acids from my own adipose tissue (fat)

I have been trying ACV, coconut oil, Citricidal and allsorts, but nothing has sufficiently worked. I have the qualifications and the knowledge but I didn't make the connection regarding my own body and EFA metabolism til I read your post, Dianne. Thank you for sharing! And thank you Earth Clinic!

PS that might be why the lady above found yeast worked - nutritional yeast contains active ingredients integral to the fatty Acid metabolism process.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Dilesh (New Malden, England, Uk) on 08/15/2011
★★★★☆

Hi,

This is my first ever post about my eczema. I have been suffering since 9 and am now 31 years old. Ive seen every kind of doctor, a psychiatrist, chinese herbalist, ayurvedic and a portugese specialist, to no avail. I guess I gave up. Over the last 3 years I have been fighting a real battle, at times wishing I was not alive. However, I have learned there is fundamentally something wrong inside, I tried giving up the steroid creams and using oils like Neem, Tea Tree, Borage, Vit. E and others but, was continually shedding dead skin, and what I thought was meant to happen using oils, only dried my skin out even more and had to deal with waking up in a sea of skin every morning.

Around 3 months ago I stumbled upon Apple Cider Vinegar, and started taking baths, immediately my skin was closing up the wounds and I was on my way, however, it still didnt stop the itching. Great after scratching but, the eczema was not clearing up.

Next step, my diet, now I try to eat only Fresh & Natural, nothing out of a tin, no fruit juices, etc I have learned that Seb Derm on face is caused by fungal and found that mixing ACV and soda bicarb with water and spraying it on then showering gets rid of the fungus

The worst thing about my condition is when my face got all white from skin cells flaking off and dry scales appearing on my face and nothing would take it away. I can only dread what people would think when they saw me.

For the past 2 months I have gone on a very strict diet, of eating fruits in the morning and throughout the day, eating dates, nuts. I do eat canned tuna or sardines as I need the protein for the gym, though have been told to stop this also.

In the morning I drink Aloe Vera and Amla juice mixed with water and before bed.

Also taking Guduchi pills twice a day, however, I researched further and found that taking Vitamin B can help, B3, B5, B6, Biotin, Acidophilus and vitamin D. The main issue with B6 is that it makes me itchy for 20 minutes, though, it is definitely doing something and found that taking the B vitamins allows me to sleep without scratching.

Apart from my skin geting aggravated, it has started to heal. My skin colour, (brown, Im inidan) is coming back. It used to be a mixture of brown, grey from all the steroids and exposure to sunlight.

My only concern now is where I had Seb Derm on my face, which I'm controling by spraying a mixture of ACV and Soda Bicarb. has cleared but have got open open wounds that itch. Im trying to find a way to close them up, and think Zinc may help. Would love to hear what anyone thinks...

Wish everyone keeps strong and its so easy to give up... But, you can control your eczema and by building up your immune system your eczema can remain at bay... Im still fighting and I wont give up.... God Bless you all....

If theres anyone that wants to discuss further, contact me please on dvyas99(at)hotmail.com

Gluten-Free Diet

Posted by Jack (Tokyo) on 06/13/2011
★★★☆☆

WORKED TEMPORARILY

I agree with Dpayne about gluten intolerance. I eat a paleo diet that excludes all grains, legumes, and sugar. All my food is cooked at home so that I can cook everything from single ingredients. I believe that my gut was able to process the apples without inflammation, which is why outbreaks stopped during the fast and I had the breasthing space to heal up. I am really on a mission to find the cause of this eczema!

So, after the 3 day apple detox my hands and feet became completely clear. It was so great having them back again. I started back on my paleo diet and very gradually the vesicles began appearing again. It's now 20 days on strict Paleo since the end of my apple detox and my hands are back to full outbreak status.

I have been tracking all foods that I have eaten so I know the culprit is in this list. In Japan you can only test for 13 allergies per blood sample for some reason, so to kick off with allergy testing for these foods:

tomato
white potato
lamb
chicken
beef
pork
carrot
sweet potato
garlic
onion
coconut
tuna
salmon

I made sure I got a couple of nightshades in there, all the meats, the main fish I eat, and I need garlic to flavour food. Wish me luck :-)

Apple Fast

Posted by Jack (Tokyo) on 05/25/2011
★★★★☆

Day 3 of the apple detox and my fingers have no new developments. Lots of eczema still there but it's healing. Going to start back with spinach and scrambled eggs tomorrow morning.

Apples, ACV, Dietary Changes

Posted by Marianne (Salyer, Ca) on 06/17/2012

Thankyou so much, Samuel from Redmond, WA. I reread your posting every few days, and am totally grateful for your clear information. It has been the only method that has proven to be helpful. No words can thank you enough.

Homemade Cream

Posted by Helen (Vancouver, B.c., Canada) on 05/02/2011

I forgot mention in the above post that my husband also avoids all dairy products and have the following supplements on a daily basis:

- multi vitamin mineral complex (free of wheat, yeast, sugar, starch, dairy products, gluten, artificial preservatives, flavors, colors )
- Omega 3-6-9
- Vitamin E

He also takes olive leaf extract and a digestive enzyme supplement (the contents of one of each are mixed with a cup of water and taken with dinner).

Homemade Cream

Posted by Muttmom (Emery, Sd) on 09/14/2012

I was misdiagnosed and treated for ringworm for months after telling the derm that Bagbalm made it much better. In the end I used Vaseline and all the crud sloughed off. I think a heavy neutral emollient helps is the trick and only washed every 3 days. I stopped washing and drying twice a day as per DR. (very aggravating) It was discoid eczema- (from unecassary biopsy) symtoms- started as bug bite. Lower leg of 60 yr old male, itched worse at night, enlarging circle looking similar to ringworm, never contagious, did not respond to anti fungals.

Vitamin B6

Posted by Going_28 (East Norriton, Pa, Usa) on 04/05/2011
★★★★★

A couple winters ago, I had terribly dry lips and dry, cracking elbows that led to dark, purple blotchy eczema on both elbows that quickly spread up my arms onto my chest. A dermatologist gave me 4 prescriptions that I never filled. I read that dry lips could be a Vitamin B deficiency, so I went to GNC, got a $6 bottle of 100mg (I believe), it was 100mg or 100UI, I just know it was a small gray bottle, and it was $6 hard white tablets. I took one a day, and my cracked lips cleared up in 2 days, the purple blotchy eczema cleared up in about a week, and never came back, even though I stopped taking the Vitamin B6 tablets about a week after it cleared up.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Karl (Galway, Ireland) on 03/29/2011
★★★★★

Hi there, I was suffering from this debilitating condition (discoid eczema) for nearly a year. I had being to four doctors two of them "specialists" to no avail. I had to cure it myself which I did in six months. It's a very simple cure really. I experimented with a few different methods but looking back on it now the solution is very simple.

Shower twice a day. After the first shower spray apple cider vinegar to the wounds. Dilute to the amount of pain you can handle. Second shower at night apply shea butter or raw organic coconut oil. Use Dr. Bronner organic soap. Drink about 150 mills of ACV to bring the PH balence of your blood. Then consume Cellfood, Cellfood DNA/RNA, and Cellfood Silica and if you can afford it Cellfood multivitamin as directed daily. Your discoid eczema will be gone in 6 months. I have video evidence to back this up and I will send this to anybody who needs help with this terrible infliction. This is all you need to do people. It will cost $80 a month for six months... But trust me you will have your life back as I thankfully do now. Feel free to ask me any questions.

Honey

Posted by Maskeen (Dubai, Uae) on 01/08/2011

Yes, eczema is an internal condition which manifests its symptoms externally. a friend's daughter, when she became tired of steroid based creams and other rx drugs, drank neem tea. eczema cleared up within 7 days. take fresh neem leaves and boil. drink when cool.

Apple Fast

Posted by Tanya (Orlando, Florida) on 05/26/2010

I've tried the 3 day apple fast and I too have dyshidrotic eczema. It is on both hands primarily on the palms. I also have acne, had it since I was 15 and now I am 33. The fast seem to keep the inflammation down but not cure it. Neither did it cure my acne. Once I start back on food (I am on the 3rd night) tomorrow I am pretty sure the inflammation will start up. Thanks for the post but I guess it's not for everyone.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Anna (Oslo, Norway) on 05/21/2010
★★★★☆

First I would like to thank the creators of this site and its subscribers. Although not all of the suggested remedies helped me, just finding this site helped me to feel less alone and to decide that a natural remedy was definitely the way I wanted to go. The things I tried that didn't work also led me on to something that did, and without having other people's suggestions to work from, this may never have happened. I developed perioral dermatitis for the first time in my life about 7 months ago. I suspect it may have started because I used steroid cream to treat some facial eczema, however, factors such as moving to a cold, dry climate, lots of stress, and experimenting with different types of face care products probably took their toll as well. Having suffered physically and emotionally for very many years with acne, I was devastated to now have this happen to my face. It took nearly 3 months before I worked out that I had POD and in that time I had taken the usual route of using more steroid cream, only to have the condition return worse than before. To this day my doctor insists that the steroid cream is the best cure, just that I didn't use it for long enough!! Having now done my research, though, I made the decision not to use steroid cream ever again on my face, and also that I would much rather find a natural cure than take antibiotics for several months. Here are the tings I have tried:

1. Got rid of all my old skin care products (even though the ones I was using were organic and for sensitive skin) and found a cleanser and moisturizer designed especially for very reactive skin. At first though, I used only warm water to wash my face.

2. Swapped to fluoride-free toothpaste. I don't know if this made a difference but I still use it because of all the other nasty effects of fluoride I read about along the way.

3. Started taking probiotics. Again, I'm not convinced they helped much with the POD, but I don't think they hurt either and I do believe that part of my problem was related to yeast imbalance.

4. Dabbed apple cider vinegar mixed with warm green tea - about 1 part tea to 2 parts vinegar - twice a day. I did this for 3 weeks. I'm afraid this was not the miracle cure in my case. I think it may have kept the 'rash' contained, but it did not remove it and in the end it was irritating my skin too much. I felt my skin needed and deserved something more gentle.

5. Nappy/diaper cream. They don't sell the Balmex cream in Norway, but I bought another one that contained zinc oxide and calendula cream. This was extremely soothing and settled the irritation. My skin liked it and I saw some improvement. I applied it to the affected areas twice a day, although had to go without on work days where I needed to be around people as it's not a flattering look. In the end, however, I felt that the nappy cream was soothing the problem but not getting rid of the source.

6. I learned from my research on the internet of the theory that POD is fungal in origin. So I had the idea to try an anti-fungal type of agent, but I wanted one that was organic and going to be kind to my skin. I found an Australian company (kind of nice since that is where I am from) that makes an organic anti-fungal/anti-bacterial cream - phytoseptic cream they call it - and decided to try it. I ordered it over the internet and had it sent to me in Norway. Finally I can report that I am currently POD free and have been for several weeks. I applied the cream morning and night - it's green in colour so I applied a thinner layer in the mornings before work - and noticed change within a few days. The cream is very soothing and felt good on my skin. At first I noticed that, though the red bumps were disappearing from where they had been worst originally, I was getting new outbreaks on my lower cheeks. Maybe that would have happened anyway, or maybe the cream had to flush out all the toxins (whatever they were) before killing them. Nevertheless, within 2 months I was bump free. I just have a couple of tiny pink areas around my nose that are not bumpy at all, but given that my skin is extremely fair, are possibly just the shadows of where the POD used to be. Sometimes I get spots that I suspect are pimples but am so nervous about a new POD outbreak that I dab them with the phytoseptic cream. So far no new outbreaks. Although it took 2 months in total, this is at least how long I would have had to be on antibiotics anyway and I am very pleased that I found an alternative that was easy to use and good for my skin. I can't give the brand name here, but if you search the internet using the information I've given I'm sure you'll find the cream I'm talking about. It may not work for everyone, just as the other remedies didn't work for me. In that case, however, it may at least be an idea that leads you on to the product that does work. Good luck!

Discoid Eczema Remedies

Posted by Jeremy (Singapore, Toa Payoh) on 04/22/2010

Hi, I will like to attn this question to Ted from Bangkok or any other readers with similiar conditions.

I am suffering from discoid eczema on my legs. However on my palms and fingers I seems to have a mix of a fungus infection with my internal eczema. I always have these tiny mini cluster of bubbles/blisters beneath my skin, which has already thinned due to my long term use of steroid creams.... These terrible cycles has happened over the last 2years... taken prednisolone; ketoconazole, creams etc from the expensive doctors... Nothing CURES me.. When these blisters break due to my scratching and peeling,the skin cracked and bleed and they are itchy, inflammed and red... It is such an embarrassing condition...

I am considering the use of Apple Cider Vinegar, Virgin Coconut Oil, Grape Seed Extract GSE, and Hydrogen Peroxide to cure myself.

Anyone can advise me? I tried soaking my hands in ACV before, they stings but healed abit, however it doesnt clear the bubbles/blisters... I am thinking of soaking in Hydrogen Peroxide 3%. Should i dilute with water or in full strength? Thank you!

Apple Fast

Posted by Pondera (Juneau, Ak, Usa) on 04/14/2010

HI i wrote in about the 3 day APPLE Fast curing dyshidrotic eczema. Although my acne is completely gone. After 4 days it seems like my eczema is flaring up just the tiniest bit with introducing regular food to my diet. Just thought I'd let you know. I still recommend it for cleansing of heavy metals and toxins, however. thanks

Apple Fast

Posted by Toni (Kzn, South Africa) on 03/11/2011
0 out of 5 stars

Hi All,
Just a quick question, did anyones eczema get quite a lot worse & really itchy on the fourth & fifth day? Cause I tried this diet & felt good, but now on the fourth & fifth day I'm extremely red & itchy. Please help. Thanks Toni.

Olive Oil

Posted by Elskbrev (Oconomowoc, Wi) on 03/13/2012

Your eczema that was misdiagnosed as ringworm was most probably "numular eczema. " I get that occasionally, and only when I eat tree nuts. From time of ingestion of tree nuts to appearance of my numular eczema is about two weeks. This eczema usually starts with a whitehead type postule, then becomes a round flat lesion that may grow to the size of a dime before it starts to fade away, all on its own. Mine never itch. It is predictably six weeks from time of ingestion of tree nuts to time the lesion self resolves (disappears) on its own without treatment. I have not found any treatment that makes any difference. Will report back if anything I try based on tips from this site works for me. For now, I avoid eating tree nuts to avoid getting this eczema. Will actually have to intentionally eat tree nuts as if to induce a breakout to find out if some cures work. by the way, a physician did once give a quick glance at my eczema and call it ringworm, but at that time, I already knew what it was, so I corrected him. Many images Of numular eczema are easily found online.

Supplements

Posted by L.b. (Mansfield, Oh) on 04/13/2011
★★★★★

Thank you so much for recommending the B5! I started getting the dermatis on my face a couple years ago. I tried everything and the only thing that would help keep it at bay was, I would wash my face in honey only no other products and put sweet almond oil on afterwards. I tried the acv, didn't work. When I read about you taking B5 I went to the Health Food store and bought a good brand of B complex. I took one in morning and one in evening and within a week my skin has improved so dramaticly. I was almost in tears at finally finding something that really works. You all who have it know what it means. Thanks again so much. I can't wait to see what another week will bring. My hair even feels softer. Make sure you get a good brand of the Bcomplex. Your health care person can help you decide. Thanks to all who post here and to Earth Clinic!

Oregano Oil

Posted by Suzanne (Kansas City, Mo, Usa) on 09/29/2009
★★★★☆

On the subject of Eczema - I have been giving my teen Oil of Oregano in capsules (one in the morning and one at night) to help with her Eczema; this has helped trememdously with the itching and some of the redness. We have tried the cortizone cremes from the doctors and that did not help her at all. I've been reading here today on the suggstions of using Apple Cider Vinegar and plan to try that. I can remember as a small child my grandma taking vinegar to help with her ailments so maybe there is something to this.

As a side note I personally am taking the oregano capsules as well for sinus relief (have been for three years). I used to have a large problem with my sinus passages closing up when I laid down for the evening. I was taking a ton of OTC medications to just be able to go to sleep. I started taking this after reading up about the many health issues that are related to what is in our blood stream and that this herb can help with this. I do belive that this herb has helped us a lot.

Sea Salt

Posted by Sally (Austin, Texas) on 07/18/2009
★★★★★

Sea Salt baths have almost cured my eczema in a matter of weeks. Get a good one that has minerals and put about 3/4 cup into the tub. I've also started taking iodine tablets.

Soap Nuts

Posted by Faith (Atlanta, GA) on 04/28/2009
★★★★★

Some years ago I saw native people in Indonesia using soap nuts, the dry fruit of the soap berry tree, to wash their clothes. Little did I know that years later I would find them in my local health food store and that they would cure my eczema. I just started looking for a natural laundry soap because I want to clean up my life and get rid of synthetics.. The soap nuts were the only thing in the store that looked really natural. First I noticed the laundry didn't smell like chemicals. It smelled like NOTHING, absolutely nothing. After a few weeks I noticed the eczema on my shoulder blades was almost entirely gone. Getting excited I went back to the store and got soap nut laundry liquid. It contained organic essential oils of lavender, tea tree and lemongrass. It's my new bath soap and a lifetime of eczema is gone. Thanks to Maggie, for sharing the secret.

Coconut Oil, Tea Tree Oil

Posted by LB (Reigate, Surrey, UK) on 02/18/2009
★★★★★

VIRGIN COCONUT OIL/TEA TREE OIL FOR DISCOID/NUMMULAR EXCEMA

I found that mixing VCO with Tea Tree Oil and applying it to the patch of excema several times daily (6 or 7) cleared my discoid eczema within 7-10 days rather that the 8-10 weeks it usually took to clear. Discoid eczema patches are usually roundish in shape. They are very itchy to begin with, and then become very sore as they form several tiny heads which weep. The patch then becomes very hard and thick and normally takes weeks to heal leaving a mark where it had once been.

I have also made a connection with eating citrus and flare ups.

Vitamin E

Posted by Marisa (London, Canada) on 06/09/2008
★★★★★

I tried everything for my eczema on my hands and nothing seemed to work. I then tried applying vitamin e oil and my eczema has greatly improved. My skin is a lot softer and smother.

Shower Filter

Posted by Trey (Minot, ND) on 05/19/2008
★★★★★

Eczema Remedy: I went to France last summer and my eczema went away in a matter of days. I got back to the US and it came back in a few weeks. I tried to figure out what was different in France that helped my skin. I thought the water might be and that my showers could be making my skin worse. I bought a shower filter which easily attaches right before the head of the shower for $18 at Menards. Within a few days my skin started to clear up and has been better than ever these past few months. My filter recently filled up though and quit doing its job so I had to buy a new one, so make sure you replace them if you notice your skin going bad.