Natural Home Remedies and Foods You Should Avoid With Eczema

Peeples has two sons who have suffered from eczema since birth. She has had great success using natural remedies for managing their eczema.

What Is Eczema?

Eczema is a type of skin inflammation characterized by dryness, redness, and itchiness. There are varying causes, but it is thought to be the result of an overactive immune system. Things like dander, dust, chemicals, certain foods, and other environmental factors that normally don't bother people will bother those with eczema. The symptoms range from mild flaking, bumps, scaling, cracking, and redness.

Eczema affects about 10% to 20% of infants and about 3% of adults and children in the U.S.. Most infants who develop the condition outgrow it by their 10th birthday, while some people continue to experience symptoms on and off throughout their lifetime. The disease can be controlled in the majority of sufferers without formal treatment, but reoccurrences are still possible. Managing the condition simply means you will be able to minimize it as much as possible.

Six Foods You Should Avoid With Eczema

1. Fish
2. Dairy (all dairy, not just milk)
3. Peanuts
4. Soy
5. Eggs
6. Wheat

While avoiding these foods does not cure eczema, the condition will improve dramatically if they are eliminated. Doctors and researchers have yet to "prove" that these foods actually cause eczema, but documentation shows that they may contribute to flare-ups.

What Is It Like to Have Eczema?

Anyone can define eczema, but unless you have it or somebody close to you suffers from it, you have no idea. For children and adults, it can cause insecurities. Sufferers constantly need to make sure they avoid anything that triggers a flare-up and tire from constantly micromanaging their lives to keep the condition under control.

Both of my sons have suffered from eczema since birth—one worse than the other. I have learned to keep certain products in their bathroom on the back of their toilet so that I know they will remember to apply them to their skin. Craft popsicle sticks work great for getting a bit of coconut oil out of the jar. They can scoop a bit out and apply it to their skin, then trash the popsicle stick and finish rubbing the oil in with their hands.

Easy eczema management tips:

• Eliminate all of the aforementioned foods, then slowly reintroduce your body to them one at a time to see which of these foods, if any, are making your eczema worse.
• Apply something to the skin regularly. Do not let your skin dry out or your eczema will get worse.
• Remember to let your skin dry fully when coming out of the shower before adding any oil or lotion.

Natural Remedies for Eczema

There are many natural remedies for eczema. Each natural remedy works differently for each person.

1. Organic Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil: In my house, organic extra-virgin coconut oil has been our miracle cure. Two of my children suffer from different types of eczema and extra-virgin coconut oil works for both of them. It acts as both an anti-inflammatory and a moisturizer. Always purchase organic coconut oil. Simply massage it into the skin as often as possible.
   
2. 99.9% Pure Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe is good for the skin, but it also acts as a great anti-inflammatory if your eczema causes swelling. By keeping aloe in your home, you will also be able to use it for burns or sunburns.
3. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Massage it into your skin after showers or baths. Olive oil is packed full of vitamin E and moisturizes your skin. It's also great for cooking.
4. Vitamin E Oil and Capsules: If you suffer from eczema, you should be taking vitamin E daily. You can also rub the oil onto your skin which will nourish it and leave it smooth.
   
5. Oatmeal: Oatmeal works wonders. Put one cup of oatmeal in a bowl, add just enough olive oil in it to make it stick together, and then apply it directly to the rash. You can also add a cup of oatmeal to baths.

Disclaimer

Talk to your doctor before using any natural remedies. There is always a possibility for an allergic reaction, especially if you have never used one of these products.

Every Eczema Sufferer Is Different

Fixing your diet is not a cure-all for any condition, and it takes weeks to be effective. If you are looking for an overnight cure, which I can understand, this is not it. Dietary changes may be effective for some, however, others may need to seek out additional alternatives. If you have had success with changing your diet, leave a comment and tell your story.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

Comments

Peeples (author) from South Carolina on May 16, 2015:

Thanks for stopping by peach!

peachy from Home Sweet Home on May 15, 2015:

very useful hub for those with these dreadful disease, voted

Sarah from USA on November 30, 2012:

I agree. I've had to cut out some weird foods like broccoli and kidney beans..hmmm

Peeples (author) from South Carolina on November 30, 2012:

It is the uric acid. Some people claim no issues with meat including fish. Others fish is a big no no and other's it's beef. The down side to treating eczema by changing diet is there is a lot of trial and error to figure out what the body is saying it doesn't like.

Sarah from USA on November 30, 2012:

Thanks for letting me know. I hear the same things of chicken and beef too. I wonder if it is the same thing?

Peeples (author) from South Carolina on November 30, 2012:

By what I have read, fish contains an acid that increases the chances of flare ups in many.

Sarah from USA on November 29, 2012:

I've seen all the foods to avoid, but fish surprised me. Do you know of any reasons why? I know personally when I avoid dairy and refined sugars my skin looks a lot better.

Christin Sander from Midwest on September 18, 2012:

Good info, voted up and shared. I have it on one leg due to extreme gluten intolerance. I know when I get wheat at all I end up very sick and the first thing to flare up that lets me know I'm in trouble is the eczema on my leg.

Peeples (author) from South Carolina on August 29, 2012:

Healthylife2, It is actually cheaper online if you don't have a health store nearby. Walmart also sells a coconut oil that is not best but still works. We use it when we run out.

Acneprevention, Eczema is usually found in those who suffer from some other type of allergies. I hope it works for her!

Lipnancy, I know, such simple foods can be toxic for some people's bodies. Thanks for visiting!

Nancy Yager from Hamburg, New York on August 29, 2012:

It is amazing what avoiding certain foods will do for the skin and avoiding the hives. Great hub.

Scott from Melbourne on August 29, 2012:

My daughter suffers from eczema. I'm going to try the coconut oil and reduce her dairy and wheat intake (she's allergic to the other foods). Thanks for the tips!

healthylife2 on August 29, 2012:

My younger son has eczema and it seems to be getting worse. I need to see if I can get the coconut oil in a health food store. I really do have to take the plunge to make the big dietary changes although right now it seems overwhelming.