Rob (Kentucky) on 11/19/2023

Did you know that the tub of facial cream you put on your face everyday was used as a home remedy for eczema?

The original formula for Noxzema was invented by Dr. Francis J. Townsend (1875-?), a physician/druggist around 1900, in Snow Hill, Maryland; by 1910, in Berlin, Maryland; and by 1920, in Ocean City, Maryland. The formula was called "Townsend R22" and referred to commonly as "no-eczema". Dr. Townsend, who practiced near the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, prescribed it as a remedy, mainly to beach resort vacationers who were severely burned by ultraviolet sun rays.

Townsend later gave the formula to druggist George Avery Bunting (1870-1959), who for many years denied the transaction. In about 1917, Bunting began producing and selling "Dr. Bunting's Sunburn Remedy", marketing the product as an alternative to the greasy, tallow-based medicating creams in use during the period. For the first 3 years, George A. Bunting and Elizabeth Buck mixed, heated and poured the product themselves. The name was changed to Noxzema, supposedly because a satisfied customer exclaimed, "Sure knocked my eczema!". An early slogan was "The miracle cream of Baltimore". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noxzema

Noxzema is a non-soap facial cleanser that contains camphor, clove oil, eucalyptus and menthol. Many report it can help ease eczema. It soon got a reputation for “knocking eczema” and is said to have gotten its “no eczema” name from that.

Di (Sedona, Arizona) on 11/12/2023

I cleared up a persistent, angry patch of eczema with a gluten-free diet for two years after a doctor told me the cause originates in the gut. I also took zinc carnosine after reading that it heals peptic ulcers in a government study, so I figured this may heal the gut.

Also, I’ve heard organic unrefined coconut oil mixed with baking soda is very healing.

REPLY   3      

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Sea Salt Water for Hand Eczema/Dermatitis

ThankfullyItsNotWorse (NJ) on 08/17/2023

Sea Salt Water for Hand Eczema/Dermatitis

This is what I did...

Mixed about 4 tablespoons of Pink Sea Salt/Himalayan Sea Salt into about 8 cups of water in a bowl that fit the mixture and both my hands without over spilling. This is like making sea water as this is basically the ratio of sea salt found in ocean water. Must be Pink Sea Salt/Himalayan Sea Salt for the added minerals.

I soaked my hands in the mixture for 20 minutes 1 to 3 times a day (i.e. morning, day, night time). Made sure salt was mixed thoroughly and hands were not resting on any salt residue that was remaining on the bottom of the bowl.

Lightly rinsed off my hands and lightly dried my hands. I applied raw aloe on my hands, let dried, then apply Cetaphil lotion or CeraVe lotion or similar. If no aloe at least the lotion after to seal in the moisture. Once hands started clearing up I soak like once a week or so for maintenance, but be sure to keep hands moisturized.

This has been the most effective for me.

REPLY   7      

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Sunlight (or UVA and UVB lamps) for Eczema

Alex (Thessaloniki) on 07/27/2022

Sunlight (or UVA and UVB lamps) for Eczema

I've tried many things for my eczema on my lower calves. Nothing worked like sunning. In the summer due to the high temperature and sweating it becomes inflamed. I've learned that there are UVB therapy lamps for eczema. Ultraviolet light can remove white blood cells that provoke an allergic reaction and are under the epidermis. UVA radiation has less energy but goes deeper into the skin. So why don't try UVA plus UVB therapy for free with sunning. Just 5 minute every other day had total elimination of my eczema and very red and itcy spots. While sunning one must gradually increment in order not to get a sunburn.

If one doesn't have a lot of sun here are the UVB ot UVA devices. Doctors say UVB monochromatic 311nm therapy is safer for skin cancer.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=uv+therapy&_sacat=0

In the image I added below, shows that my skin is somehow red in the area with red itchy dots like mosquito bites.

REPLY   3      

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Vitamin D for Eczema

A (Philadelphia, Pa) on 07/22/2022

I've had eczema on my hands for several months. As it began to spread and redness, and itching became worse, I decided to try vitamin D (I already take 1g fish oil & 1g pumpkin seed oil daily). 400 IU of vitamin D3 twice daily cleared it up immediately- overnight! No more redness, flaking & zero itch. The skin over my knuckles still appears a bit ‘swollen' but that's it.

REPLY   7      

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Colloidal Oatmeal Generic Cream for Mild Eczema

Mama to Many (TN) on 03/19/2022

I have had a mild eczema flare. Borage oil supplements always work for me, but I get lazy about taking them.

I bought a generic eczema cream at Stuff Mart. (The ingredients were identical to that of the Aveeno eczema cream and included colloidal oatmeal.) This stuff has worked quite well. It is very moisturizing for dry skin, too. (Without being greasy.)

~Mama to Many~

REPLY   6      

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Apple Cider Vinegar Helping Eczema

michael (north lanarkshire) on 03/02/2022

I am using apple cider vinegar for Eczema, even as my skin is broken and inflammed. It stings for a while but after about 15 minutes the itching stops for about 6 hours, have used a spray bottle half Apple Cider Vinegar and half water, just sprayed it on and let it dry then put a dressing on the affected area, able to get a decent sleep now.

REPLY   8      

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Grapefruit Seed Extract for Mild Eczema

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.

REPLY   2      

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Coconut Oil and Raw Sugar Cure for Eczema

Phoebe (Mendocino) on 02/10/2022

Every now and again I get this terrible itch in my forearms which turn into these red raised bumps which become itchier and itchier and no matter how hard I try, I eventually start to scratch them. I'm a RN in a clinic so I have had doctors prescribe me everything and anything but nothing worked. Until one day a woman told me her brother had terrible eczema and he cured himself by mixing organic virgin coconut oil with raw sugar; then using it as a skin scrub every time he bathed. So I tried it even though I was super doubtful, but omg it is glorious. First off all you finally get to scratch this terrible itch without breaking the skin, second the lovely coconut oil leaves your skin exfoliated yet soothed. And after about a week of this, the rash is gone. I don't know try it because believe me I tried every steroid, every antifungal, every antibacterial, every essential oil, apple cider vinager even baking soda :::oh yeah calamine and oat baths….but nothing worked like simple coconut oil with sugar. Hope that helps. ❤️

REPLY   8      

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Re: Citric Acid Triggered Eczema

Lou (Tyler, TX) on 11/29/2021

Regarding Samuel's post above from 2011, where he wrote:

"The bottom line is that anything that is not organic or has artificial ingredients is poison. Citric acid is It is the reason you have eczema/acne. Even regular fruits and vegetables and meats, if not organic, are full of pesticides and other junk that can do nothing but harm you.

Just to let some of you know the real face of artificial ingredients, I finally researched what citric acid is. Unless the citric acid is coming from citrus fruit, artificial citric acid is derived from MOLD. You are eating or drinking a product that comes from MOLD. This alone should let people realize that artificial ingredients are poison."

The dermatologist here prescribed citric acid for a patch of psoriasis on the back of my neck. I did not know it was mold. That could explain the huge eczema flare. He should be fired.

REPLY   4      

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Coconut Oil, Tea Tree Oil Helps Eczema

Alex (Thessaloniki, Greece) on 10/23/2021

I found that mixing some drops of tea tree oil in the coconut oil made my therapy much stronger than just coconut oil. I have eczema - atopic dermatitis only on summer and on my feet and calves. I used this mixture every day. It's a bit oily. If the area becomes more itchy after applying for a few seconds don't worry, this happens because of rubbing the area and not because of the coconut oil.

This mixed therapy is very good for everyday, but it doesn't vanish the symptoms for weeks.

REPLY   2      

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Geranium Essential Oil for Eczema

Brenda (Arizona) on 09/14/2021

So true about answers can come from God in a dream. Happened for me with eczema on my fingers. It started from expressing anger over neighbors who kept bullying my family. Long story short, besides working through the emotions, what came to me one night was to use geranium essential oil along with the other plant based items I was using. After two nights of using it w gloves and sleeping it worked!

REPLY         

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Blistex Lip Balm for Eczema Rash

Rob (Kentucky) on 07/06/2021

Blistex Lip Medex Balm (medicated) for Eczema and Psoriasis

A friend of mine developed a strange rash on his hand and wrist that looked like eczema. I remember hearing that Blistex Lip Medex Balm ($1.25 for .38 oz container) may help control Psoriasis so why not Eczema. So I stopped by the dollar store and picked some up for him. He would apply the balm to the rash several times a day. He started to see results and a few days and the rash was gone within a week.

Active Ingredients of Blistex Lip Medex Balm: Camphor, Menthol, Petrolatum, Phenol. Purposes: External Analgesic, External Analgesic, Lip Protectant, External Analgesic. Inactive Ingredients: Beeswax, Benzyl Alcohol, Diisopropyl Adipate, Flavors, Fragrances, Lanolin, Menthoxypropanediol, Microcrystalline Wax, Myristyl Myristate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Saccharin, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter.

REPLY   5      

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Epsom Salts for Ankle Eczema

Alex (Thessaloniki/Greece) on 07/05/2021

I suffer from eczema only in summers with very hot weather. The eczema develops at the area over my ankles. I tried putting an Epsom salt solution three times a day on the area for one week. The relief was temporary, the itching many times subsided but not the redness and didn't have a steady improvement though days.

REPLY         

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Avoiding Gluten Cured Eczema

GC (Georgia) on 06/27/2021

I was diagnosed with Eczema in 2010.

After suffering for a length of time, I realized that I could easily control it by diet choice.

Since Eczema is an auto immune issue, I realized I was triggering the reaction.

So I eliminated gluten only and it went away within a week.

To test this theory further, I reintroduced gluten and within 12 hours. the flare ups started. Then eliminated the gluten and gone.

Lifetime adjustment in diet is my only route.

REPLY   3      

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Natto for Eczema

Susan (Waipahu, HI) on 06/20/2021

I have had eczema for over 15 years. I was forced to resort to prescription cortisone salves to keep the flare ups under control.

As a result of being diagnosed with osteoporosis and refusing to take prescription medications to treat it, I discovered (as a reader of Dr. Joseph Mercola’s daily emails) that Japanese Natto (fermented soybeans) contains vitamin K2 which is helpful in protecting bones.

I began eating a spoonful of Natto daily. It does take some getting used to as it is very slimy.

Low and behold as a side benefit of consuming this fermented soybean, my eczema completely cleared up!

I still eat Natto daily and consider it essential to my healthy regimen.

REPLY   6      

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Boric Acid for Eczema

Catherine (MO) on 03/17/2021

For ear eczema:

I have had luck with a liquid solution of boric acid. I add powder to a small bottle of distilled water. It provides almost immediate relief and if used regularly, keeps things clear. It does not eliminate it, it always comes back, but has worked better than the many remedies I have tried.

REPLY   1      

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Diatomaceous Earth for Ear Eczema

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.

REPLY   2      

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Cold Water Wrap for Eczema Relief

LN (England) on 03/13/2021

I have found wet wrapping the only thing to give relief from eczema (as I thought it was anyway, self diagnosed, extremely dry, cracking, lumpy and red itchy skin) on my legs.

The procedure is to soak and wring out bandages in pure cold water. Then cover with a dry layer and clingfilm. Leave at least 2 hours up to 5 hours then be prepared for tremendous improvement as you gently unwrap.

REPLY   4      

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