5 At-Home Remedies to Alleviate Eczema

May 27, 2022 by VitalSkin Dermatology

Eczema can leave you feeling aggravated, with dry, itchy skin that never seems to give you a break. While consulting with a dermatologist can help assuage your symptoms, there are some homegrown remedies that you can employ on your own that provide some relief, as well. These home remedies may be right in your cabinet already or even in your backyard!

Aloe Vera

The aloe vera plant has long been lauded for its soothing and healing properties. Research backs this up— a review down in 2017 on the effects of the substance demonstrated that the gel in the aloe vera plant has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. What’s more, aloe vera gel can help wounds heal and help prevent infection.

Have an aloe vera plant in the backyard? The gel extracted from the fat “leaves” of the plant can be applied directly to the affected areas of your skin. There are also commercial varieties of aloe vera gel available at your local pharmacy. Make sure to look for commercial products that do not contain aggravating ingredients such as fragrance or alcohol. Test a small area of your skin for sensitivity before using liberally.

Colloidal Oatmeal

Putting oatmeal in your bath can actually help soothe your eczema, as well—colloidal oatmeal, that is. What is colloidal oatmeal? A finely ground variant of your usual oatmeal that can be found at health food stores and some beauty supply stores.

Run a lukewarm bath and stir in the colloidal oatmeal. This will make the bath rather slippery, so make sure to exercise caution. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes, then pat the affected areas until they are somewhat damp. Apply fragrance-free moisturizer as a barrier of protection for the skin. Some stores may also sell lotions that contain colloidal oatmeal, but those with gluten allergies should watch for secondary ingredients such as wheat.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains fatty acids that can help add moisture to the skin and may improve the skin’s protective barrier. You can find extra-virgin coconut oil at your local health food store, typically. Use it after a lukewarm bath to help seal moisture into the skin. This home remedy, of course, should not be an option for anyone who does or may have a coconut allergy.

Tea Tree Oil

Extracted from the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, tea tree oil pops up in a wide range of skin care products. It, too, is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. When diluted with a carrier oil, such as olive oil, small amounts can be applied to affected areas to provide relief.

Honey

Finally, there is good old honey to consider as a home remedy for your eczema. This natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial substance has been employed by humans for hundreds of years to treat the skin. You can find manuka honey products that are designed directly for application to the skin, but the honey in your cabinet can serve well, too. It’s a sticky process, of course, but a dab of honey applied to the skin can provide relief.

A Pinch

It’s true—a light pinch to an unaffected area of the skin right next to the affected area can relieve the itching associated with eczema. Find an eczema-free area next to the affected area and give yourself a small but firm pinch. This distracts the pain receptors and can relieve the feelings of itchiness that can make eczema so aggravating.

Home remedies can give you some much-needed relief when eczema aggravation is high. To address your eczema symptoms in the long term, visiting with a dermatologist for a consultation can provide you with the answers you need. Schedule a consultation with a professional dermatologist today to experience the relief you want from eczema.