Eczema
Natural Remedies

Effective Natural Eczema Treatments for Soothing Relief

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.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Ryan (Chicago, Illinois) on 10/03/2007
★★★★★

I have had EXCELLENT success with ACV (2tbs) and Baking Soda (1/4 tsp or so) in a glass of water three times per day especially upon waking. I also mix a small thermos with another two doses and sip it during the afternoon. I definitely find it energizing and the psoriasis/eczema (whatever it is -- apples/oranges) I've had on my elbows ever since an extended fast is clearing up PRONTO. I'm very excited. I think I'll be a lifelong devotee. Ted -- you're awesome. I'm also taking a bit of borax occasionally and experimenting with the sodium thiowhateveritis. Best of luck to everyone.


Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Ed Davis (Wenatchee WA, USA) on 06/03/2007
★★★★★

Skin Care - Dry Scaly Patches: I had some dry scaly skin on my nose and about for an inch or so on either side of my nose. I have been using a mixture of ACV, Baking Soda, and Water for a about a week and a half. I use about 1/4 tablespoon of BS and ACV till the bubbling stops. then I add just enough water to complete filling a small cup About 3 inches high, 1/2 full. I wash my face with this and leave it on for about a minute and then rinse it off. My skin on my nose and by my nose is now very soft and is no longer dry. I also found that when shaving with a razor that this mixture lubricated my skin and I did not get any cuts. I pieced this mixture together from reading about several items from this site. I love earthclinic.com


MCT Oil and Undecyclenic Acid
Posted by Joan Virginia (Dallas TX) on 04/10/2025
★★★★★

In addition to recurring UTIs, I developed eczema after over 10 years. I could not figure out why. Then I was diagnosed with a yeast infection—after over 10 years of being misdiagnosed. Once I cured the yeast infection my eczema went away. The protocol: 1 tablespoon of MCT oil three times a day plus 10 Thorne undecyclenic acid pills each morning and night. Plus milk thistle extract in water throughout the day. After three weeks I went down to 1 tablespoon MCT oil each day and five pills of undecyclenic acid three times a day. I recommend seeing a naturopath that specializes in muscle testing. That is the only way I would have discovered the root cause.


Herbal Tea
Posted by Yo (Japan) on 09/22/2024

Always check your liver and kidney markers when drinking herbal teas, especially in excessive amounts. Pregnant women should not drink herbal teas unless they are certified organic and only under a practitioner supervision. Keep in mind that anyone can just write on a package that is certified organic. I order all my herbal teas, honey etc. directly from New Zealand.


Avoid Garlic
Posted by Robyn M. (Adelaide, South Australia) on 05/11/2022
★★★★★

Suffering from Eczema - STOP eating Garlic

Try this it worked for my son (who has had eczema for 15 years) and myself (I have had eczema for 40 years) - stop eating GARLIC. We have spent thousands of dollars on cures to no avail. Check food labels for garlic, takeway foods etc. It took us about four weeks before we noticed a difference. Now if I do happen to have garlic, my hands flair a little but soon goes away. I so hope this helps.


Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Jess (Seattle) on 02/23/2022
★★★★★

I started taking 10 drops/day of Grapefruit Seed Extract for a different problem. Within 3 days, the mild eczema on my arms was completely gone! It's been there for months so I was surprised by this. I did a search online & found that GSE can help with eczema.


Epsom Salt
Posted by Art (California) on 07/05/2021 2682 posts

Alex,

You might give over the counter 1% Clotrimazole cream to try to determine if it is fungal or some other cause. If 1% Clotrimazole clears it or helps considerably, it is likely fungal.

Art


Cold Wet Wrapping
Posted by LN (England) on 03/14/2021

It must be obvious I suppose, but I realise that I omitted to say that the dampened bandages are applied to the dry/itchy patches, before covering with the dry layer and then clingfilm. I do not apply any creams, oils or moisturisers, just water. It certainly works very fast for me, as relief and I hope will turn out to be curative longer term.


Vitamin D, Eliminate Dairy
Posted by Hope (Ma) on 07/30/2020
★★★★★

Hi!

Yes, this was also my experience for eczema/dermatitis on my face, but the sunlight didn't do it. Vitamin d3 supplementation did cure it within two days. For some reason, the sunlight made it much worse. I can also eat dairy, no prob.


Dead Sea Salt and Rose Hip Oil
Posted by Aaron (MT) on 10/15/2024 9 posts
★★★★★

I found great and unexpected relief from a Dead Sea Salt bath when I was soaking my Hamstring that was affected by Sciatica... My normally inflamed hands and wrists tamed completely over a few days, the itch was gone...

It came back because I have to completely detox my Liver, but it's good to know it will work when needed... In the future I can just use a large Tupperware bowl to soak my hands...


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 12/28/2018

Mch, you can try eliminating dairy, sugar and grains for one week, and see if it gets any better.


Turmeric
Posted by Bob (Cleveland) on 12/16/2018
★★★★★

I recommended Silymarin (Milk Thistle extract) in a post a few years ago. The product I used contained Turmeric (700mg per serving). When I switched to a product that did not contain turmeric my eczema came back. I now believe it's the Turmeric (or the combination of Silymarin and Turmeric) that's curing my eczema. Definitely, for me, Turmeric is an essential component of my eczema treatment.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Art (California ) on 09/05/2018 2682 posts

Hi Deirdre,

You can try 80% aloe vera gel plus 10% xylitol plus 10% food grade vegetable glycerin and a little lavender essential oil. This should avoid the added irritant qualities of lotion based blends. Let me know if it helps and if not I will give it further thought!

Art


Peppermint, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus Oils
Posted by Teena (Melbourne, Australia) on 01/06/2018 233 posts

Thank you for your very comprehensive post, I'm sure will help a lot of people. Often times when we have recurring skin problems it is because something is not right internally. You usually need to attack or fix internally as well as topically. I would consider adding a great probiotic like homemade kefir, or probiotic pills bought refrigerated to balance your gut's good bacteria, best on an empty stomach, and vitamin c at minimum 1000 mg a day. Of course there are many other immune boosters as well to consider. Sometimes the symptoms flare initially as your boosted immune system fights it out. Also I trust your hand soap is natural, mine is a mix of water, borax, baking soda, bentonite clay and anti fungal, anti bacterial essential oils. Best of health to you


Hemp Seed Oil and Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Eugene (Concord, Tn) on 09/10/2017
★★★★★

Was diagnosed with Nummular Eczema and it was quite an ordeal and am posting this in hopes of helping others. Through trial and error I developed a regiment that has got me back to normal. I take one capsule of Hemp Seed oil either every day or every other day. I also take daily one capsule of Flax seed oil which cleared up the itching and swelling around my eyes. These are the most important. I also take 1 or 2 Probiotic Acidophilus. I also take 1 Borage oil capsule every other day, I think helps but I believe the others are the most important.


Diatomaceous Earth
Posted by Sue (London) on 04/28/2017
★★★★★

I have had ear eczema for years, have used coconut oil to moisturize ears, which at least kept them from drying and being painful, but that's all it did.

3 weeks ago I started taking Diatomaceous earth, and slowly my ear eczema seems to be clearing. I put it down to the Food grade diatomaceous earth.

For the last 6 months, I have also been using magnesium oil and mega mag, vitamin k2, bee pollen, acerola cherry powder, boron, adrenal cocktail and other stuff as recommended by Morley Robbins at the magnesium advocacy group, in the hope of healing myself from arthritis.

But it is only since using the diatomaceous earth that the eczema seems to be clearing.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 06/18/2017

Hi Jb, Regarding Eczema and the strawberries etc...whilst strawberries are supposed to have beneficial effects (and are nice to have also of course) I would be suspicious of introducing them in large amounts too early in life. It would be nice to know where they come from of course. (The strawberries that is - not the babies). I know variety is supposed to be the "spice of life" BUT I wonder if we are over-doing things these days, especially for an infant whose digestive system has not fully developed. You can't run before you can walk eh?

Cheers, Michael


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Rachel (Chicago, Illinois) on 06/19/2017

I would look into vitamin D supplementation. My online searches show that when babies have eczema, it's due to vitamin D deficiency. However, please do your research, and consult your pediatrician about supplementation -- as it can be dangerous to give babies vitamin and mineral supplements. Basically, you want to be sure not to overdose, with a baby or child.

After you find out what the safe limit on vitamin D is, I would squeeze the vitamin D3 gelcap into baby's food.

Also, try to get her out in the sun, to make her own vitamin D. The best part of our body for making vitamin D is the upper arms, and the oil on our skin is necessary for the creation of vitamin D -- so let her skin accumulate oil! And no sunscreen! To prevent burning, avoid getting refined sugar into her system before going out in the sun. It is refined sugar that causes us to burn. Also, if you are worried about sun damage, get lycopene into her. Lycopene fights skin cancer, and it is the red pigment found in tomatoes, in tomato products like ketchup, and in watermelon.

There might be some B vitamin that also is deficient in babies who have eczema. I think I might have come across it in my online searching about B vitamins. You might want to look that up.

As for trying to control symptoms of any malady with diet -- aaaaghhh! I have NEVER seen diet change cure anything! Except that switching to healthy foods can stop weight gain -- that is the only one. I have not seen diet change stop gassy tummy distress in babies. I have not seen diet change relieve depression or Attention Deficit Disorder in any way whatsoever. I have not seen diet change help with ANYTHING. I say, if humans have been eating it for thousands of years, and it tastes good and makes you feel good -- then eat it!

---------------

I thought of two more things to help after making my last comment. One is -- you are giving her formula. Are you using tap water, or fluoridated water to make her formula? Because both of those have fluoride, and tap water also has chlorine -- and fluoride and chlorine cause eczema, because the body is trying to detox these toxins through the skin. I take gallon containers to my local grocery or health food store and refill them with water that has been filtered, run through reverse osmosis, and treated with ultraviolet light. When I move to a new area, I try all the sources of this kind of refillable water -- to find which location has the best tasting water. I would use this kind of water to make baby's formula with.

Secondly, I would give her organic coconut oil -- probably in her formula. I read Adelle Davis' book called Let's Eat Right To Keep Fit, and in it she writes of a baby that had eczema, and she fed the baby vegetable oil, because he had been on a low fat diet. The baby was ravenous for the vegetable oil, and it healed his eczema. I'd put coconut oil in baby's formula, because it is the BEST vegetable oil of all, and also kills viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi! As for how much coconut oil to give a person, I just follow my instincts, although you might want to online search on that as well. It's been a long time since my kids were babies.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Art (California ) on 12/29/2016 2682 posts

In reply to Stephanie (Washington),

Recent studies are suggesting that there is a correlation between vitamin d status (25 OH d serum level) and eczema or atopic dermatitis. You mentioned that your eczema worsened in Washington and improved in Arizona and that it did not start until you moved from Southern California to Washington.

In Southern California you would have been getting more UVB exposure and consequently a higher 25 OH d level than you would get in Washington.

You also said that it started around the age of 18 which would have been when you finished high school. Thinking back to high school, I remember being in the sun a lot because of all of the outdoor activities associated with being in high school and I also remember that it seemed like I got a lot less sun exposure after high school. It may be that this chain of events was enough to get your serum 25 OH d level into the insufficient or deficient range and possibly make it easier for eczema to take hold.

In any case, it seems like an easy enough and inexpensive enough thing for your dermatologist to get your vitamin d level into the optimum range to find out if it can have a positive effect in controlling or eliminating your eczema. Below 30 ng/ml is considered insufficient and below 20 ng/ml is deficient. The reference range is 30~100 ng/ml.

Some cancer studies have shown that being around the 75 ng/ml area may help to reduce risk of certain cancers.

Here are some recent studies suggesting that there may be a relationship between vitamin d and eczema or atopic dermatitis.

Http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/8/12/789
Https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28017448
Https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25282565

Art


Dietary Changes
Posted by Martin P. (New Zealand) on 08/20/2016
★★★★★

I have developed leaky gut and along with that eczema brought on through eating dairy which I used to be ok with. By making chicken and beef stock I have been able to almost make it disappear within a week. I will continue with stock until it goes and then keep it as a regular top up for the gut. Chicken stock is very palatable, especially with lemon and garlic.


Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Abdullah (Oslo) on 06/02/2016
★★★★★

Tea tree essential oil for eczema and/or dandruff is amazing!!! People must know this is an incredible potent absolute cure!!! It stings when applied and the day after you may experience it falling off as dry flakes. MUST TRY!


Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Mcneillmama (Nc) on 03/18/2016
★★★☆☆

WORKED TEMPORARILY

I have developed an acute onset itchy, inflamed rash on my arms and legs. It started as small patches on my left wrist and I thought it was nickle allergy related to a new watch I was wearing. I also have been sick most of the winter with one respiratory infection after the other and all that started with a mild sore throat right before Christmas. I kept a sinus infection from Dec-Feb and finally went to the doctor about it because I was losing sleep from coughing. The doctor said it was virus and gave me a Kenalog shot which helped for about 5 days and then I caught another cold. That was about the same time the rash started on my wrist.

I quit wearing the watch and over the course of three days the rash spread up my left arm, then patches of it started breaking out on my right wrist and both shins and ankles. The itch was so severe at night I couldn't sleep. It looked like Chicken pox. So back to the doctor I went again. I was concerned it was scabies since it is going around the elementary school where I work and I also thought maybe I had the shingles. The doctor said no to those conditions, said it was not contagious whatever it was, he also said it was not RMSF or Lyme. He gave a Rx for triamcinolone cream which did nothing.

So I finally found some tea tree oil soap and tea tree oil and started showering with the soap and massaging the oil in the patches. After the oil is absorbed, I've been covering the areas with a thick ointment called Calmaseptine, which contains 20% zinc, calamine and menthol. This seems to stop the itching and in the mornings when I wake up the rash looks better and almost disappears, but later in the day after I get out in the hot sun or when I just get out of the hot shower, the rash comes back with a vengence. I don't know why heat is bringing it out and making it worse. I have an appointment with the skin doctor next week. I'm sure whatever he prescribes my insurance won't cover and a small tube of anything can cost $80-$300+ I finally understand how King Hezekiah, Job or the Egyptians felt during the plagues.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Lena Rose (Los Angeles, California ) on 07/25/2015
★★★★☆

Hi Everyone!

First I would like to say that Earth Clinic is literally a godsend for anyone who is looking for natural healing for a variety of ailments. I have found so much fantastic information here for a variety of bodily issues. Currently I am spending the summer in Connecticut, and whenever I am here or in the northern states I get absolutely unbearable eczema (really can not figure out why only here). I currently have been suffering from outbreaks on every sensitive skin area of my body such as eyes, lips, breasts and "other" places (ugh). This week I decided to give a go at some of the natural remedies researched from a variety of sources and am so excited to say that today was an absolute break through in fighting off this awful skin issue. Almost all areas are 3/4 of the way healed and I would like to share what I did to reach that point.

First I have cut out ALL sugar and cut back on caffeine (i love coffee but limited it to one cup every few days), especially do not eat any chocolate or drink alcohol. I ate a tiny bit of chocolate after dinner the other night and had the WORST outbreak afterwards. Also it would seem like "nightshade" foods such as tomatos, eggplant, peppers etc make it worsen, as well as wheat based foods and possibly even rice. So I decided to just cut all of those things. The magic of the actual healing seems to be coming from a combination of ACV (both topically and ingested), drinking lots of water, getting lots of sunlight, AND doing oatmeal baths. Parts of my body were so inflamed this morning I was miserable. Both eyes were so puffy it looked like I was punched. Now, 10 hours later everything is almost completely healed!!

I mixed some mango juice with honey and ACV and drank this 3 times today. I did about 45 minutes in the sun with virgin coconut oil slathered all over me. I then took a bath with an oatmeal sachet in it, squeezing the cloth to saturate all effected areas and let it soak in. Also while in the bath I wet a washcloth and poured some ACV on it to dab on the effected areas in between oatmeal milk pours. It admittedly burns like hell, but the oatmeal after helps to sooth this. I literally felt and watched as all my red swollen areas started to go down and heal before my eyes. I have also found that tea tree oil lip balm is awesome for lips that have swelling and dry itchiness. I keep one in my bed with me and apply it throughout the night so I can sleep without the skin cracking. I hope this helps all my eczema sufferers!!!

To add to this, although I am not sure it is helping, I have also started eating lots of salmon (vitamin D and omegas), taking flax seed oil, probiotics and eating food with raw coconut oil and organic olive oil. Pretty much cut out all citrus fruits and opting for a mostly raw vegetable diet. :)))


Digestive Enzymes
Posted by Anj786 (Chicago, IL) on 01/06/2015
★★★★★

I have had great luck controlling my eczema with digestive enzymes. I eat them with any foods that I know I am sensitive to such as pasteurized dairy and wheat and it allows me to tolerate them without breaking it out in a rash.


Brewer's Yeast
Posted by Phil (Montreal) on 03/10/2014
★★★★★

Hello,

Just a note to say that I've been suffering from eczema (on the forehead) for many years. I've tried just about everything, always with some success, but never quite curing it. It seldom flairs up , but still, it does sometimes. Anyway, this is the one thing I can say has had a REAL impact on my condition : beer yeast. I eat it on toast in the morning, and on salads and in soups. When I eat some everyday, my condition gets better, systematically. It is not a cure, but it alleviates every single symptom. It makes my life better.

Thought I would share this.


Apple Cider Vinegar, Coconut Oil, Epsom Salt Baths
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 02/12/2014

Hello Sabrina,

Here's a guess for you based on just a few hints you gave... eczema since birth... and it is over 80 percent of your body...

That's not an external problem. That's internally produced. Liver...endocrine....lymph system. Might even be genetic, but even if genetic that does not mean you can't compensate. If not enough of some amino acid for instance, you can compensate with oral consumption of amino acids.

That the direction I'd go if faced with this. A good internist ... no a great internist .... needs to nail down the cause. He/she may not have the solution but diagnosis is essential or all is guess work. And you can try to deal with the problem by process of elimination but such a shotgun approach will likely lead to frustration in determining the cause.

A few questions: Do you have any relatives with anything like this? (genetic)

Did your mother have this condition at any time? (pathogenic natal carry forward)

What OTHER symptoms do you suffer with? (might give a hint to the underlying cause)

You are dealing with symptoms in taking various baths etc...that's fine...I would be too, but you've got to get to the cause.

Here's a guess....an issue on the cellular level; the cellular pores not allowing essential oils et al to come in and not allowing toxic debris from leaving. Soooooo....want a broad based shotgun approach? Order AEP, membrane integrity factor (amino ethyl phosphoric acid).... "Calcium AEP".... take five a day....for two weeks.


Hemp Seed Oil
Posted by Pika (Colorado) on 11/23/2013
★★★★★

I have eczema ever since I can remember. I always have it on my eye lids and sometimes on my elbow, arms, chest. Steroid creams worked but I believe this past Fall the huge outbreak was due to the accumulation of those creams. My eyelids were all swollen, red, and my neck was covered with red, painful and itchy patches. They even spread to my face and chest. It was miserable. I tried many methods, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, honey, eventually, what worked for me was hemp seed oil! I took one table spoon in the morning, one at night, and rubbed the oil on my skin as well. The relief came quite quickly, in a couple of days and I was clear of eczema in a month!



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