★★★★★
When looking up my lemon recipe book I came across this eczema remedy.. "50:50 lemon juice and pineapple juice, applied hourly until cured". Well I didn't have any lemons at the time but did have the pineapple so I squeezed a little juice and applied a couple of times during the day and again at night. The improvement was dramatic. I continued with just the pineapple juice as I thought the lemon might be a bit severe on my face. I kept the juice in the fridge for up to 3 days.. It didn't seem to reduce its effectiveness by not being really fresh. I used night and morning for a week and now have only a little dry area of normal coloured skin. Perhaps a strict compliance with the remedy using lemon as well as pineapple and using only fresh juice would be a much quicker remedy. Try it out.. it certainly is worth it, and entirely safe and painless.
Multiple Remedies
★☆☆☆☆
Anyways, for years and years and years I NEVER showed my legs or feet to anyone but my family. It wasn't because of my excema that I had no idea about until this doctor informed me of it at 22 (I'm 25 now), it was because of all of my blackheads and uneven skin tone, dry, cracked feet etc.
In 2010 I went to Barbados to a family reunion and of course, as it was hot as ever, decided to wear shorts, skirts and dresses. Most summers back home in Toronto, it didn't matter how hot it was - I wouldn't be caught dead doing this! For some reason when I came back home from that trip I continued to show off my skin and body. I've always been skinny and tall, people always would say you should model, blah blah and it's like... they have NO idea what my skin looks like! I could never be a model! Please.
I would say once summer ended that year in 2010, my eczema that was finally revealed to me from my doctor was acting a fool and flaring up like crazy. He prescribed me Elidel, Hydroval and Benovate in a period of two years (from 2010-2012). We all know how these things affect our skin! They all come in these tiny portions and it's like, sure I can put it on only the places where my skin is rough and flared, but my ENTIRE lower body itches so what do you do? And I had YET to find a cream and my doctor has as well, that will help relieve my itchy skin. Naturally I put these products on my entire lower half. What did the Elidel do? Weaken my skin where now it's like... An old lady who has wrinkly skin -- almost extra saggy layers of skin, plus it's naturally cracked, plus its dry, plus my skin is 20 different skin tones. It's just sad and embarrassing.
Last summer I went to England to visit my family for two months. Prior to this I had random flare ups. Omg, I went to England and it was the WORSE it's EVER been. I was in so much pain, itching my skin until to bled in PUBLIC and around my friends and family - totally embarrassing. And the worse part is no one there would prescribe me anything because they didn't know my history. I was forced to use these counter products like Eurcerin that at the time, made me itch even more. It was SO unbareable. During that time I got huge discoloration patches all over my knees and down.
No matter how much I try to stress to my doctor that I need a dermatologist, he just doesn't seem to get it. His response is more or less like, 'you'll have this forever, dermatologists are expensive. ' I just feel truly hopeless at this point.
I had quite a bit of acne on my face during my time in England as well which I think was unrelated to the excema. And after several months of over the counter acne medications, I decided to go natural on my face. Recently I decided to go natural on my body as well.
WHAT I'VE USED: I bought a jar of coconut oil and put that on my skin twice a day for two days straight and my skin has never felt so tight!! It was totally irritating. I was itching all over the place, it was crazy so I stopped using it, lol. But I will admit, in certain places, the eczema has cleared up and has somewhat dried up in a sense. I see people have talked about this working for them so I might continue you it tonight.
My doctor told me to buy a humidifier. In fact, two doctors have told me that. So fine -- I bought a humidifier for my room and honestly, it hasn't done much of anything. And it's even more irrelevant now that its spring in Canada and yet, here I am with excema outbreaks.
Late last year I started eating green Granny Smith apples once a day for a month straight JUST to be healthy. Funny enough, I see it on here as something that could help excema! BUT, during my time of eating the apples, I feel as though my acne flared up like crazy! So I stopped doing that. I tried again for two days straight this year, and the same thing so I've just stopped eating them altogether.
My doctor suggested grounded flax seeds, so last week I bought a whole bunch in bulk, grounded them up and have been putting it in my drink and food constantly. We'll see if this will help.
Before I bought the grounded flax seeds I was taking one flax seed oil pill a day and I don't know... The results are unknown. When I bought the flax seeds and finished the flax seed oil pills I decided to get Omega 3-6-9 instead, which I almost feel is making my excema worse, ugh. But then again, I never use things long enough to really tell.
MY QUESTION IS: After all of that, lol. When you use these remedies, does the eczema flare up initially and then start to become effective? Or is it meant to work instantly, so to speak? Because if it is meant to flare up, then I'll use some of these remedies longer then I have been.
People don't realize how debilitating having eczema is and I feel worse for the ones who have it shown visibly like on their face and neck, etc. Even going swimming is an issue and what kills me is, I actually have a nice body! And I'm so sick of hearing people tell me about it, little do they know. I'm 25 and I'm tired of living like this. I shouldn't be covering up, I want to show it off!
Help me, please!!!
Cold Showers
★★★★★
You can rub almond, coconut or olive oil on afterwards for extra moisturizing.
Neem Oil
★★★★★
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
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.
Oregano Oil, Tea Tree Oil
★★★★★
Multiple Remedies
★★★★☆
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
★★★☆☆
WORKED TEMPORARILY
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
★★★★☆
Homemade Cream
- 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
Vitamin B6
★★★★★
Honey
Apple Fast
★★★★☆
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
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
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
Supplements
★★★★★
Oregano Oil
★★★★☆
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
★★★★★
Soap Nuts
★★★★★
Coconut Oil, Tea Tree Oil
★★★★★
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.
Ted's Eczema Advice
As a side note for those interested:
-18 years of age
-Diet for the past 14 years composed of high amounts artificial foods, composed mainly of sugar, extremely little greens consumed. 20:1 ratio for sugar to greens servings consumed.
-Lead to minor bouts of eczema located on face, hands, forearms, legs, and wrists.
-As daily stress heightened so did the bouts.
-The bouts only added unto the stress, thus producing a never-ending cycle.
-Deep-breathing exercises for a year, used consistently throughout the day stopped all signs of eczema.
