10 Home Remedies for Eczema – Health.com

When eczema strikes, red, scaly patches invade the skinand they itch like crazy. This chronic inflammatory condition (also called atopic dermatitis) can't be cured, and tends to flare periodically and then subside. But with super-simple lifestyle changes and home remedies, you can ease your symptoms during an eczema flare-upno doctor's visit required. Here, dermatologists share some of their go-to skin soothers.

Great for cooking, andskincare? You bet. The most common cause of an eczema flare is dry skin, says Jeremy Fenton, MD, a board certified dermatologist and medical director at Schweiger Dermatology in New York City. Coconut oil can be a great moisturizer, and may even have some antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. People with eczema tend to have a higher load of bacteria on their skin, and that bacteria can make eczema worse.

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If the air in your home is dry, that means your skin will be, too. This is especially a problem during cold-weather months when running the heat sucks moisture away from your skin. Use a cool mist humidifier to help your skin maintain moisture, Dr. Fenton says. Check out Health's picks for the best humidifiers.

Being Zen doesnt exactly sound like an eczema fixespecially when the itching is driving you madbut sometimes eczema flares up due to triggers, like stress, says Lindsey Bordone, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center. So getting your anxiety under control is keeping for those flaky, dry, uncomfortable patches at bay. It might sound woo-woo, but try meditationthere are all sorts of ways to do it right from your phone. Try this 5-minute guided meditation to bring on calm fast.

Speaking of stress, exercise can help you relax and have some peace of mind, too, Dr. Bordone says. Whether you log in a few miles on the treadmill or take a weekly yoga class, not only will your anxiety melt awayyour eczema may, too. (Just make sure to rinse off after your sweat sessionbeing overheated can make the skin condition worse.)

There arent any definitive studies to show that a specific diet will have an impact on eczema, Dr. Fenton says. But inflammation has been proven to trigger eczema, he adds, so anything that creates inflammation the bodylike boozecan cause the condition to make an unwanted cameo.

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Dont turn up the heat on the water temperature when youre in the showerthat dries out the skin. Wash your hair, face, underarms, groin, and feet, Fenton says. Dont soap the other areas unless visibly dirty.

If your skin is highly irritated, soaking in a tub of oatmeal can help calm itchy skin (try a packet like Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment, available on Amazon and at drugstores), Dr. Bordone says. Quieting the constant urge to scratch is important, since itching makes eczema worse. Just remember to keep the water at a lukewarm temperature.

Rough fabrics, like wool, can trigger eczema, Dr. Bordone warns. The material rubs against skin and irritates it. Instead, opt for more breathable options, like cotton. Perfect excuse for a mini shopping spree?

Since dry skin is eczema enemy number-one, regular moisturizing may be the most powerful weapon you have, Dr. Fenton says. For optimal effectiveness, ideally you need to moisturize more than once a day. Creams and salves are better than lotions, and you should avoid anything with a fragrance in it since that can be irritating to the skin. Bonus tip: Always moisturize within three minutes of getting out of the showerthis helps lock moisture in the skin, Dr. Fenton says.

Forget the flowery, fancy soaps. You need something bland and fragrance-free, Dr. Fenton says. Thats because they have fewer chemicals, which lessens the chances of agitating your skin. Fragrance-free, dye-free laundry detergents for sensitive skin often say "free and clear" on the label.

Antihistamines like Benadryl, nonprescription hydrocortisone creams, and calamine lotion can all help soothe symptoms.

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10 Home Remedies for Eczema - Health.com