5 Home Remedies To Treat Eczema

Eczema often triggers an intense or persistent itch, and scratching it will only worsen the problem. Scratching may provide immediate relief from the itch, but it’s always short-lived and the itch comes back stronger.Scratching can also transfer germs from the fingers to the irritated skin, which can lead to infection. Eczema treatment aims to curb the inflammation and minimize the itch to keep you from scratching your skin and thus prevent scarring.

Once the scars form, your doctor may recommend ointments, clinical procedures, and even plastic surgery to make them less visible. However, some scars may never disappear completely, even after using these interventions.

# Oatmeal

Oatmeal is widely recognized for its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties that help repair and strengthen the skin barrier function.

It helps soothe the itchiness and gently exfoliates the damaged skin to reveal fresh spotless layers from underneath. This helps diminish the appearance of eczema scars over time.

You can use various colloidal oatmeal-based skin products to relieve the discomfort associated with eczema-ridden skin or soak in an oatmeal bath to soothe your skin and relax your body.

- Blend 2 cups of ground oatmeal into fine powder and add it to your lukewarm bathwater. Soak in it for half an hour.
- People with severe eczema or scarring are advised to go for at least two oatmeal baths a day.

# Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a natural skin healer that can find some use in alleviating the irritation and scarring associated with eczema. Its hydrating gel is readily absorbed to deeply moisturize your dry, irritated skin.

Aloe vera also holds anti-inflammatory properties that can curb the swelling, redness, and itching brought about by eczema. Moreover, aloe vera gel works as an antimicrobial agent that helps keep the skin infection-free.

Topical aloe vera can also promote faster skin repair to gradually lighten the dark eczema scars.

- Scoop out the gel from the aloe vera leaves and apply it all over the affected skin a few times daily. If you don’t have an aloe vera plant at home, consider buying good-quality, unadulterated aloe gel.
- Mix equal amounts of pure aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil to form a thin paste. Apply the paste to the affected areas overnight, and rinse it off in the morning with warm water. Repeat daily.

# Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has many therapeutic properties to its credit, which can be employed for treating eczema as well as the scarring caused by it.

For starters, this weak acid works as an astringent that can cleanse your skin and bring down inflammation. It also helps keep your skin environment slightly acidic and thus inhospitable for microbial growth.

Moreover, ACV exhibits significant antifungal and antibacterial properties that can keep skin infections at bay. You must use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to get the best results, but only after diluting it in water.

- Pour 2 teaspoons each of ACV and raw honey in a glass of water and mix the ingredients well to make an immunity-boosting tonic, which should ideally be consumed in the morning.
- Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Apply this solution to the affected skin to reduce itchiness and dryness.

# Shea butter

Shea butter is richly endowed with vitamins A and E, both of which are mighty antioxidants that help protect the skin from damage and also facilitate its regeneration/repair. It also works as an intensive moisturizer to hydrate and soothe dry, irritated skin.

Regular application of shea butter on the eczema patches can make them itch less so that you can resist scratching and thereby prevent scar formation. It also helps stimulate new cell formation in the area to gradually fade the existing scars, if any.

- Apply shea butter to the affected skin. The best time to do so is before going to bed so that it stays on your skin overnight and is sufficiently absorbed.
- You can also add a few drops of lemon juice to the shea butter for added skin-lightening effects.

# Do apply Bio-Oil

Bio-oil is highly recommended for soothing irritated skin and diminishing the appearance of scars. It moisturizes the skin and forms a protective cover over it to ward off external irritants.