Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions out there affecting thousands of people every year. While eczema is more common in children and babies, that doesn’t mean adults are off the hook. There are also a bunch of natural remedies for eczema out there for you to find relief.
Natural Remedies For Eczema
Interestingly, there’s a lot of debate about what actually causes eczema and eczema flare ups-many (including me) believe that it’s tied to allergens and irritants in our diet. Here’s some ways you might be able to cure your eczema naturally.
The Diet-Eczema Connection
If you haven’t addressed diet and lifestyle, maybe it’s time to do that. If your diet is crap, and you aren’t moving enough, no topical remedy, no matter how amazing, is going to work.
The Baby had bouts of eczema when he was brand new, likely due to his scheduled c-section and a lack of healthy gut flora. To help remedy that, I immediately adopted the GAPS diet, along with modifying my supplementation for my thyroid, which made a huge difference.
You probably noticed that I’m a bit of a nut about eating in the Paleo style, as well as limiting the amount of canned and packaged foods that we consume. I know it’s helped not only my skin, but everyone’s skin (at least everyone in my house), as well as our energy levels, sleep, and more.
If you are suffering from any skin condition take a look at the fuel you’re putting into your body, and make the necessary changes in conjunction with topical remedies. Trust me on this one. Don’t know where to start? I suggest that you pick up a copy of The Whole30 Cookbook and Gut and Psychology Syndrome and see if one of both of these options is the best choice for you and your family.
What Is Eczema?
Atopic Dermatitis (which is often called eczema) is an itchy, red rash. It can appear all over the body. Many people have it on their elbows or behind their knees. Babies often have eczema on the face, especially the cheeks and chin.
They can also have it on the scalp, trunk (chest and back), and outer arms and legs. Children and adults tend to have eczema on the neck, wrists, and ankles, and in areas that bend, like the inner elbow and knee. People with eczema are usually diagnosed with it when they are babies or young children.
Eczema symptoms often become less severe as children grow into adults. For some people, eczema continues into adulthood. Less often, it can start in adulthood. The rash of eczema is different for each person. It may even look different or affect different parts of your body from time to time. It can be mild, moderate, or severe.
Generally, people with eczema suffer from dry, sensitive skin. Eczema is also known for its intense itch. The itch may be so bad that you scratch your skin until it bleeds, which can make your rash even worse, leading to even more inflammation and itching. This is called the itch-scratch cycle. source
Other Natural Remedies For Eczema
There are tons of creams, prescriptions, and steroids out there specifically created to treat (and heal) eczema…but so many of them contain chemicals that aren’t awesome for you…and may actually worsen the problem (not what you want), or not promote full healing.
Instead of the chemically-laden options, I prefer to make my own concoctions using coconut oil.
Coconut oil is one of those things that I stockpile because I use it for everything. It’s a great carrier oil, and you can use it for just about everything: skin, teeth, hair, nails, and more. It’s also one of my favorite natural remedies for eczema.
I use (and love) this brand of coconut oil, but if you’re allergic or intolerant, jojoba oil (as long as it’s organic) is a good runner-up.
DIY Soothing Body Butter
- 2 tablespoons Vitamin E oil
- 1/2 cup organic coconut oil
OR
- 1/4 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup jojoba oil
Using a double boiler, gently warm the coconut oil until just melted. remove from heat, and allow to cool slightly. Gently stir, and pour into a small glass container (I use old baby food jars that have been thoroughly sanitized or these 4-ounce mason jars). Allow the mixture to set up, and store out of direct sunlight.
Apply to affected areas as needed.
I made this last night for a friend who has tried everything without success. You say “allow the mixture to set up” but it’s been 24 hours and it’s still just as liquid as when I made it. I need it to solidify for a plane ride. Can I put it in the fridge without it ruining the “healing powers” of it?
Yes!! Did you use fractionated oil?
If you want to heal eczema naturally, try doing a probiotic bath and increasing your intake of essential fatty acids. Both Tea Tree oil and Lavender oil have great antiseptic properties, however, act as estrogen disruptors and can be very dangerous for your hormone balance. My friends mother used to put lavender oil in his bath and ended up with gynecomastia. Your hormone balance is not something to mess with.
My guess is that it was synthetic lavender then, as natural lavender does not contain hormones. Love the suggestion of a probiotic bath!
Yay thanks for this! My little 7 month old can’t do lavender (go figure…). I use young living as well. Can I do a mixture of all of the above or mix and match? Could I do franc, cedarwood, geranium and Melrose or do you recommend the recipes above (and I’ll just omit lavender)? I cannot get rid of the eczema on his cheeks. Pore kiddo keeps the cycle going. I’m gluten, dairy free and now eliminating grains to see if that helps him (I’m EBF). Just on his face. It’s awful! Hoping to try this and praying it helps!
Yes! Absolutely! The beautiful thing about oils is that you can adjust recipes to meet your needs!
Hi Brea,
Thanks for such a great article! So my 4 yr old son has had a speckled red bump rash on his tushy for months and months now. He is fully potty trained, so it’s not diaper rash. For awhile I thought it may be a yeast rash, so I tried an anti-fungal (before I knew anything about EO’s), no success. Finally, I sent a pic to my dermatologist friend and she said its def not yeast it’s eczema! So now I have been moisturizing with Cerave cream and it’s better, but still there. He is a very active child, and being summer in FL he sweats a lot. Would you still recommend the above oil blends for him?
Also, just plain coconut oil is just so greasy… Could I use a homemade base cream of coconut oil, beeswax, coconut butter and Shea butter then the oils?
Thanks so much for your help!
Hi, Bess!! I hear ya! Summer’s are sticky here in TX too! I would definitely try your salve with the oils mentioned here. Please let me know how it works!
Is there a substitute for coconut oil? I have terrible eczema and coconut oil is one of the many things I am unable to use. Also Shea butter is another one I cannot use. Thank you!!
Absolutely! Use what works for you!