Eczema is a widespread and unpleasant condition caused by the skin’s overreaction to common substances such as soap, food and dust. The skin reddens, itches, and becomes dry, scaly or bubbly. Annoyingly, these dry patches of skin may also ooze a watery or sticky fluid. Eczema has the ability to make life miserable for young and old.

How far the rash spreads depends on the person. Some sufferers can be covered head to toe in a painful, weeping rash that requires hospitalisation and wet bandages while others will only have one or two dry spots. Even mild eczema can be highly undesirable. Unsightly rashes on the hands and face are not a great help to one’s social life.

Causes of Eczema

Eczema can be hereditary. If one or both parents had eczema, you are likely to as well. The other risk factor is vaccines. Studies show that those who are vaccinated are more likely to have eczema or a range of other allergies than those who are not.

So, What Can You Do?

If scratching away at dry, red, and cracked skin is a part of your life, why not make the necessary changes that will either reduce or eliminate the problem completely? Removing the triggers will bring rapid relief to the soreness and itching while homoeopathy can help you get to the seat of the problem to deal with it once and for all. The remainder of this article will help you do just that. It will explore the common triggers foreczema, give some self-help tips, and then look at the homeopathic remedies commonly used by homeopaths to treat and clear eczema.

Identifying Common Triggers

Things You Eat: When your immune system sees common food as an invader, eczema will result. Dairy products, cow’s and soy milk baby formulas, seafood, peanuts, sesame seeds, eggs, nuts, acidic fruit, and gluten-containing products made from wheat, rye, barley, and oats are common triggers for anover-sensitive immune system.

Trickily, food may not be the problem at all, but the artificial additives in it. You may have no problem with a cut of steak but a fast food hamburger could be a whole different story.

Environmental Chemicals: Modern soaps, skin creams, perfumes, shampoos, conditioners, fabric softeners, paints, dyes, laundry and washing up detergents are anything but safe and gentle. Many chemicals they contain will all worsen eczema. Cigarettes and cigarette smoke is another culprit. To break the habit,Smoke Stop! can help.

Hot and Cold: Extremes of temperature irritate eczema, as can humid or very dry air – the much loved air-conditioner may not be man’s best friend after all! Hot showers or baths also act as triggers.

Natural Substances: Dust mites; moulds; feathers, pet hair, and dander; and grasses, plants, and pollens are well known allergens (things that produce a reaction). These allergens may be small but really pack a punch with eczema.

Emotional Stress: Our emotional health and stability is often reflected on our skin. Over-work, unhappiness, and stress can all worsen eczema.

Self-Help Measures

• Avoid woollen and synthetic clothing as both can irritate eczema. Look for natural fibres such as cotton.
• Launder new clothes before wearing to remove free-floating dyes and chemicals.

• Double-rinse clothes after washing to remove all detergent.
• Diets low in essential fatty acids contribute to dry and inflamed skin. Oils such as flaxseed and fish oils are rich in omega 3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation and improve allergies. Add them to your diet.
• Soothe your skin with an oatmeal bath. Place a cup of oatmeal into an old stocking and let the water run through it as you fill your bath.
• Milk or apple cider vinegar dabbed onto the eczema can soothe the rash and settle the inflammation. Be warned – the apple cider vinegar may sting a little at first.
• Honey also relieves the inflammation and any infection. Apply to the affected area and cover.
• Organic coconut oil is a gentle and safe alternative to sorbolene cream for dry and sore skin. Sorbolene contains preservatives, emulsifiers, and mineral oil – substances you don’t want to absorb through your skin and which can actually worsen eczema in some people.

Treat your Eczema with Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies frequently relieve or eradicate eczema – not only for people but animals as well. They are safe to use with babies through to the elderly. Many different remedies can be used depending on the symptoms of the sufferer but some of the main ones are listed below.

It is important to note that while these remedies can be used by yourself at home to safely treat numerous acute problems, eczema is a chronic complaint that should have the careful management of a trained homeopath. If you are not sure of what you are doing, too strong a dose, or too many doses of even the best matching remedy can cause a temporary aggravation of your eczema. While this will not be harmful, it is best avoided.

For good results in the treatment of your eczema, please use the services of a fully qualified homeopath.