Eczema – also known as atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema – can differ dramatically in its severity, from an occasional annoying flare-up to almost constant painful itchiness.

The most difficult facet for those who suffer is that science doesn’t truly understand the root cause of eczema, making it difficult to treat.

As a result, medicine often treats the symptoms, but with medicines that people sometimes don’t want to use; however, as you will read in this article, there is natural relief for skin conditions such as eczema.

But first, let’s learn a little bit more about eczema.

What Is Eczema?

Eczema is a condition where the skin is persistently inflamed and becomes irritated and itchy. When someone with eczema scratches their skin, it causes “lichenification”, a big word which basically means it causes their skin to become thick and rough, like lichen.

Some researchers believe that the root of eczema is to be found in the diet and gut, possibly being a response to allergenic foods or an imbalance in the body’s healthy bacteria.

Symptoms Of Eczema

Eczema is known for its itchy rash, but sometimes the rash comes first, and at other times the itch announces a new flare-up.

The rash will most commonly appear on the back of knees, wrist, hands, feet or face, and later turns into a thick, dry, scaly patch.

In fair-skinned people, the red rash may later turn brown, while in darker-skinned people it can either lighten or darken the skin’s natural pigmentation.

What Causes Eczema?

As mentioned above, it’s unknown what the exact causes are, but it’s most commonly linked with allergens or a lack of healthy bacteria within the body.

It’s thought that an overactive immune system is attacking irritants, causing the itchiness and redness, and the act of itching and rubbing can create the thickness, scaling, and scarring.

Naturopathic Eczema Treatments

Some people don’t like prescription treatments available for eczema because they will often contain steroids or have side effects which may be concerning.

The good news, however, is that there are several ways you can manage your eczema outbreaks naturally, reducing their severity and frequency.

Please note that the information contained below should not be used in place of the advice of a trained healthcare professional. If you’re concerned about your current prescription or want to consider other options, please contact your medical doctor or book an appointment with a licensed Naturopath.

1. Acupuncture

Acupuncture has shown to be helpful in relieving symptoms, and if you’re not fond of needles, then the good news is that acupressure is almost as effective.

With acupressure, you can even do it yourself at home, using fingertips or massage beads. A good place to start is to activate the large Intestine 11 point in the outer corner of the elbow.

Perform this up to three minutes, three times per week, and you may see a noticeable reduction in itchiness by the end of four weeks.

2. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is used in many countries abroad, and is safe for anyone except those specifically allergic to coconut.

The benefit of oils such as coconut oil is that they act as a barrier for the skin, protecting it from bacteria, specifically Staph.

Staph can become a problem when the skin’s natural bacteria becomes imbalanced, and Staph bacteria seem to be a factor in the severity of the flare-up.

When you cover the eczema with coconut oil, especially after a bath or shower, it preserves the moisture in the skin and seals it against any additional infection.

3. Sunflower Seed Oil

Sunflower seed oil, similar to coconut oil, acts as an excellent barrier against drying and Staph.

Sunflower seed oil is an anti-inflammatory, which has an additional benefit in reducing inflammation in the eczema flare-up.

This particular oil is helpful because it can stimulate the body’s natural ceramide production, which improves the barrier.

People who use sunflower seed oil sometimes report less itchiness, and it is rarely allergenic, making it a relatively safe bet for infants and adults alike.

4. Vitamin D Supplements

Vitamin D may be helpful in alleviating the symptoms of severe eczema.

In a 2015 study, DJ Palmer outlines the increased prevalence of eczema in areas with high levels of vitamin D deficiency, and draws a correlation between the two. Although she admits more research is needed, the results seem promising.

Vitamin D deficiency is a significant issue in Canada, with a recent Statistics Canada estimate suggesting 10% of Canadians are vitamin D deficient. Part of this is because vitamin D is produced in the human body via sunlight, and during a significant part of the year we don’t have enough sunlight to create adequate levels of vitamin D.

Supplementing with vitamin D has been shown to have a number of health benefits beyond eczema as well, including benefits to your thyroid health and to help fight autoimmune disorders, but if you are suffering from eczema it may be beneficial.

5. Probiotics

Probiotics haven’t been conclusively proven to help, but there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to show that it helps prevent and reduce flare-ups.

The logic holds, however: when your skin’s bacteria is out of balance, it causes Staph to multiply, and then the eczema appears.

However, probiotics do more than just help eczema, they can also help balance the bacteria in your gut, which has other benefits.

Since probiotics seem to benefit some people but not others, and are also relatively safe to use, they can be a simple way to help resolve your flare-up issues.

Contact Nardini Naturopathic

If you’ve tried prescription medications to cure your eczema, but dislike the side effects or see minimal improvements, then perhaps other methods are better solutions for you.

If you or someone you know suffers from eczema, then I encourage you to call now for a consultation.

Naturopathic Treatments For Eczema was written by Dr. Pat Nardini, ND and originally appeared on Nardini Naturopathic | Toronto Naturopath and Thyroid Specialist.