What Else Can I Do? Alternative Treatment Options

Finding relief from the symptoms of atopic dermatitis (eczema) can take trial and error. If your current treatments are not working well enough, you may explore other options to use along with them. At least half of people with eczema seek relief from complementary and integrative health (CIH) treatments.1,2 How does CIH differ from conventional medicine? Conventional medicine refers to the treatment approaches of most licensed doctors in the United States. It is based on scientific evidence taken from clinical trials, clinical practice, or other research.2 For people with eczema, conventional treatments aim to prevent and control symptoms. For example, doctors may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines.2 CIH refers to healthcare practices that combine conventional medicine with non-conventional treatment methods. These non-conventional treatments are called complementary treatments. Combining conventional and complementary treatments can treat a person holistically.3 Western doctors have not prescribed many CIH methods in the past. But this is changing as evidence of their benefits grows. CIH is sometimes called complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).3 Examples CIH treatments are often grouped by either product or practice type. These may include natural products, mind-body practices, or body-based practices. These groups also may overlap.1 Natural remedies for eczema Some common natural remedies for eczema include:4-8 Chamomile tea to manage stress Coal tar applied to the skin (topically) to reduce inflammation, itch, and thickened skin Coconut oil applied topically to reduce bacteria Colloidal oatmeal applied topically or used in baths, soap, or skin care products to hold in moisture Aloe vera gel applied topically to reduce inflammation Honey applied topically to reduce bacteria Sunflower oil applied topically to hold in moisture Bleach baths to change the bacteria levels on the skin and decrease inflammation Vitamins and supplements for eczema Some common vitamins and dietary supplements taken to manage eczema include:1 Evening primrose oil Fish oil Melatonin Prebiotics/Probiotics Selenium Turmeric Vitamin D Zinc Vitamin B12 can also be applied topically. But it must be specially made by a pharmacy.1 Some vitamins cannot be taken together or with certain medicines. Also, supplements are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the same way other drugs are. This means that no outside agency confirms the ingredients or suggested dose. Always talk to your doctor before starting or changing supplements.1 Stress management and relaxation Managing stress can prevent or reduce eczema flares for some people. This is because the body reacts with inflammation when it is stressed.1 Methods people with eczema may use to decrease stress and increase relaxation include:1,9 Mindfulness meditation Biofeedback Hypnosis Yoga Massage Ancient cultural wellness approaches Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic Indian medicine are gaining popularity within CIH. Despite being around for thousands of years, there is limited evidence for their effectiveness for eczema.1 Traditional Chinese medicine centers on balancing a person’s energy to maintain health or treat disease. This energy is called qi. This approach uses herbs, acupuncture, acupressure, massage, and other methods to balance qi.1 Ayurvedic Indian medicine also seeks to maintain balance. It relies on herbs, oils, diet, massage, and other methods. A strong part of this approach is using mind-body practices such as yoga and meditation.1 What are the possible side effects? Most CIH therapies are considered safe. But they may not be safe for all people. CIH methods should be practiced along with the treatments prescribed by your doctor. If you are interested in trying a non-conventional or CIH treatment, always talk to your doctor first.3 Other things to know There is limited evidence that most non-conventional approaches to eczema are safe and effective. However, there is some evidence to support some treatments, including:10 Acupuncture and acupressure Certain botanical oils Evening primrose oil (taken by mouth) Vitamin B12 (applied topically) Vitamin D (taken by mouth) Stress-reducing methods like hypnosis, massage, and biofeedback It may help to start one new method at a time. Keep a journal to record how your body and mind respond so you can learn what works best for you. You can even bring your journal to doctor appointments to share feedback with your care team.2 Before beginning treatment for eczema, tell your doctor about all your health conditions and any other drugs, vitamins, or supplements you take. This includes over-the-counter drugs. [lead_gen showIfLoggedIn="0" campaign="shortcode" source="site" title="Sign up for emails from {{site-name}}:"] Bathing (or showering) is an important way to both treat atopic dermatitis as well as prevent recurrences of flares and maintain healthy skin. Bathing helps hydrate the skin and removes various things that might be on the skin from the day including scales, crust, irritants, and allergens. Adequate hydration of the skin is required to help preserve the skin’s natural barrier and minimize the effects from irritants or allergens, which can make flares worse. Setting up a good skin care routine that includes daily bathing and moisturizing is very important for managing symptoms and preventing flares. Bathing may be slightly better than showering to soak inflamed skin. Soaking in a tub of lukewarm (not hot) water can help your skin better absorb moisture, taking a bath instead of a shower can also be relaxing and can help reduce stress. Bath treatments for eczema There are lots of different things that can be added to your bath. Additions may help with specific symptoms of atopic dermatitis, such as inflammation, the intense itch or dry skin. Bleach bath Adding a small amount of bleach to the bath can help decrease the amount of bacteria on the skin and reduce the chance of infection for those with atopic dermatitis. The condition may cause breaks in the skin’s protective surface, (scratching can also cause breaks in the skin) that provides an opportunity for bacteria that live on the skin’s surface to create infections. A mild bleach and water solution is thought to decrease inflammation and bacteria on the skin, which can lead to skin infections. Use a half-cup of household bleach for a full tub of water, one-quarter cup for a half tub. Soak up to 10 minutes, then rinse off. Best when done two to three times per week. Baking soda bath Baking soda as an addition to the bath can help ease intense itching. It is suggested to add a quarter-cup of baking soda to a lukewarm bath, mix the ingredients well and then soak for about 10 minutes. You can also mix the two ingredients and apply it to the skin directly in the form of a paste. In addition to the baking soda, you can also add Epson salt or oatmeal which can help with itch relief and skin inflammation. Bath oil Essential oils are a popular addition to the bath. Bath oils, when added to a lukewarm bath, provide additional hydration for the skin. Something to be careful with is sensitivity to additional fragrances which can be in essential oils and may be irritating to sensitive skin. Another thing to be careful with if using oils in the bath is they can make the tub slippery so be cautious when climbing in and out of the bathtub. Oatmeal bath Oatmeal baths are another great way to help calm inflamed and itchy skin. Oatmeal baths have been used for lots of skin conditions that cause itchy skin such as poison ivy, chicken pox, hives, dry skin, and of course atopic dermatitis. You won't be putting your morning breakfast oatmeal into your bath, it is a different kind of oatmeal you will be using. For oatmeal baths, you will need colloidal oatmeal. You can either make your own oatmeal bath or purchase an over-the-counter product. Colloidal oatmeal forms a protective a protective barrier as it binds to the skin so it helps lock in moisture and eases inflammation. Vinegar bath Vinegar is antibacterial and anti-fungal, like bleach baths, vinegar baths can help decrease the amount of bacteria on the skin and reduce the chance of infection. Apple cider vinegar is a popular vinegar that people use for atopic dermatitis. Vinegar baths can help relieve inflammation and also can help with skin itchiness as well. Vinegar can be very drying to the skin so it is important to moisturize immediately after taking a vinegar bath. Salt bath Salt can have many therapeutic effects on skin impacted by atopic dermatitis. If the skin is painful and inflamed a salt bath can help relieve some of the stinging or burning sensation. Adding a cup of table salt, sea salt or Epsom salt to the bath water can help ease the discomfort, decrease the itching, inflammation, and redness atopic dermatitis can cause. With any of these treatments, it is key no to soak longer than 10 to 15 minutes and avoid scrubbing the skin with a washcloth or loofah as this can further irritate skin. During bad flare-ups, limit the use of cleansers to further avoid irritation to the skin as well. What bath treatments have you tried to help manage your atopic dermatitis symptoms? Share with the community! [lead_gen showIfLoggedIn="0" campaign="shortcode" source="site" title="Sign up for emails from {{site-name}}:"] From bath soaps and lotions to carpet cleaners and pollen, it seems just about everything that comes into contact with skin can trigger atopic dermatitis. Living in a bubble isn’t an option, so how do you protect yourself and/or your family? While many triggers can’t be avoided, many others can. Laundry care is one area full of triggers that can be controlled. It’s all about choosing products carefully. The vast majority of laundry detergents, scent boosters, stain removers, and fabric softeners on the market are bad news for sensitive skin. Dyes, fragrances, ingredients you can’t pronounce that were likely made in a lab somewhere – these things are not for those of us with atopic dermatitis. To find the laundry care products that will keep your (or your child(ren)’s) skin happy remember this one essential tip:"Free is your friend." “Free” Is Your Friend No, I’m not talking about money. I’m talking fragrance-free, dye-free, phosphate-free, paraben-free, Sodium Laureth Sulfate-free, etc. Added perfumes and artificial ingredients irritate sensitive skin. This is particularly true in regards to laundry products because the fabrics we wash stay in contact with our skin for such long periods of time. Organic or hypo-allergenic products are your best bet for flare prevention. (If you’re not interested in or can’t afford organic products, All® Free Clear liquid laundry detergent is a lower-cost option that works very well for many people with eczema.) That being said, there are times when you likely will need some sort of scent. Unless you can afford to buy new socks or sheets every ten days, in which case … have at it. If you’re like me, however, and you just can’t justify that kind of repeated expense but you’re also desperate to eradicate the stench of a preschooler’s nighttime accident, a child’s upset stomach, or a working husband’s sweaty feet, you will need to find a tolerable scent booster at some point. (Unscented organic and/or “free and clear” detergents just don’t seem to do the trick.) In such cases, it really comes down to trial and error to find a product that... doesn’t irritate anyone’s skin, does what it says (actually handles odors without replacing them with an even worse one), and doesn’t destroy your clothes or make your life more difficult by caking in the machine or not washing out. When "free and clear" isn't enough The best place to start is usually an organic product boasting an ingredient list you can actually pronounce. Since "free and clear" isn't an option when you need a scent, try to find a product with only natural, soothing scents that you know you can tolerate. (Lavender or honey are two common scents that many people can tolerate. Certain herbal scents may also work for you.) You can find a multitude of such items online or a few select ones at your local grocery store. I recommend trying the product out on small items, like socks, before moving onto bigger (or more important) things like underwear or sheets. If a product doesn’t satisfy one of the above requirements, toss it and replace it. You also might try to find some DIY recipes online that work for you and your family. (If interested in this option, Pinterest is often a good place to start looking. Just be aware that essential oils and “natural” ingredients can still irritate skin, depending on the ingredient and the person.) How about you? What products have you tried that absolutely did not work? Have you found any that did? Please share in the comments below! [lead_gen showIfLoggedIn="0" campaign="shortcode" source="site" title="Sign up for emails from {{site-name}}:"] Eczema (atopic dermatitis) affects more than 230 million people worldwide. There is no single cause of eczema. There is also no diet that works for everyone with the condition. However, an anti-inflammatory diet can support overall health for people with eczema. Identifying and avoiding any food allergies may also reduce eczema symptoms.1,2 What is an anti-inflammatory diet? Anti-inflammatory diets focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, leafy greens, and healthier oils. Fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids, which are chemical compounds thought to have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-cancer properties.2-6 Anti-inflammatory diets also limit sugar, simple carbohydrates, and processed foods. The Mediterranean diet is 1 popular anti-inflammatory diet. Mediterranean foods are also rich in vitamin D, which helps strengthen immunity.2-5 Many spices and herbs also have anti-inflammatory properties, including:2-6 Turmeric Black pepper Fenugreek Cinnamon Ginger Food allergies and eczema The connection between eczema and food allergies is a complex one. A food allergy may trigger eczema, but it is not the cause of this chronic skin disease. In fact, some research suggests that eczema leads to food allergies, not the other way around.1 Between 30 and 80 percent of people with eczema have a food sensitivity. Food sensitivity means the person has a positive result on diagnostic tests. But having a food sensitivity does not mean you have symptoms of a food allergy. And between 20 and 30 percent of people with eczema have neither a food sensitivity nor a food allergy. People with mild eczema are less likely to have a food sensitivity or allergy.1 However, people with eczema do have more food allergies than the general population. Having a food allergy can result in poor eczema control over time. This is especially true in cases of severe eczema. For example, if a child is allergic to milk and drinks it daily, their eczema may be harder to manage.1 The gut-skin connection Inside your intestines are trillions of microscopic organisms. These microorganisms include more than 1,000 species of viruses, bacteria, and parasites. When the relationship between these microorganisms and your immune system is out of balance, it can affect your skin's health. The imbalance may result in inflammatory diseases such as eczema.7 Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fermented foods rich in probiotics like yogurt, kimchi, kefir, and sourdough bread can help you maintain a healthy gut and improve eczema. Researchers have shown probiotics to be beneficial in reducing eczema severity.8-10 As researchers continue to study the gut-skin connection, they may find new ways to treat skin diseases.8-10 Diagnosing a food allergy There is no single test that will confirm that you have a food allergy. Your doctor will look at multiple factors, including:8 Your family history Your symptoms The results of your physical exam Your environment Your doctor may also perform different types of allergy tests, including a skin prick test, blood test, or elimination diet.8 Skin prick testing for food allergies A skin prick test can show how you react to a certain food. In this test, the doctor puts a small amount of that food allergen on your back, upper arm, or forearm. Then, they prick your skin with a sharp tool to get a bit of the substance beneath the skin's surface. After about 15 minutes, the doctor will check to see if there is a reaction.7 A positive reaction to the allergen is called a "wheal." A wheal is a raised red bump with a white center. The wheal is surrounded by an area of redness called a "flare." The size of the wheal determines if you have an allergy.8 Blood testing for food allergies Blood tests for allergens involve testing for allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE are antibodies produced by the immune system that begin the process of an allergic reaction.8 Negative test results can be helpful to rule out specific allergies, like food allergies. But positive test results show only that someone is sensitive to the allergen. More testing is needed to confirm the allergy.8 Elimination diet Food elimination diets remove a certain food to see if it may be the cause of an allergy. But according to a 2022 study, elimination diets offer limited benefits. They can even cause harm in the treatment of eczema.1 Eliminating a food that was previously tolerated might create a life-threatening allergy when the food is reintroduced. Restricted diets can also lead to nutritional deficiencies. Any attempt at a food-elimination diet must be based on strong evidence and approached with caution. Do not eliminate foods from your diet without first talking to your doctor.1 Should people with eczema take dietary supplements? Dietary supplements remain an area of research in eczema. Vitamin D is sometimes recommended for people with eczema. Not only does vitamin D boost immunity, but many people are deficient in this vitamin. Prebiotics also may be beneficial because they act as food for the good bacteria in your gut.3,4,7 However, there is no specific supplement routine for people with eczema. A well-balanced diet remains the best way to get vital nutrients. And supplements are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the same way other drugs are. This means that no outside agency confirms the ingredients or suggested dose. Tell your doctor before beginning a new supplement for eczema.3,4,7 If you have questions about how your diet or certain foods may be impacting your eczema symptoms, talk to your doctor. [lead_gen showIfLoggedIn="0" campaign="shortcode" source="site" title="Sign up for emails from {{site-name}}:"],,It is not always easy to find that one moisturizer that works on everything. It seems like this one has perfume, or that one doesn’t absorb easily. I would like to share my homemade moisture cream for dry skin. Containing only natural ingredients, it is safe for everyone. By purchasing each item online or on sale, we are able to have a high-quality product at a low cost. These jars of homemade moisturizer are easy and fun to make. They are also a welcome gift for any occasion. Family recipe for moisturizing cream I found out about this family recipe when dealing with an outbreak of dry skin from my medication. I was visiting my cousin in Arizona. She brought out a fruit jar full of a thick and rich cream and began to massage it into my calves. They were broken out with red swollen bumps that lay on top of dry, scaly skin. It brought such relief that I asked her to send me home with some until I could get a batch made. She was eager to share her recipe and hopes that you will enjoy it too! Ingredients for our homemade moisturizer: 1 Cup shea butter or cocoa butter ½ Cup coconut oil½ Cup almond oil 2 Tablespoon vitamin E oil6 – 10 drops of essential oils (optional) How to make our homemade moisturizer: Melt the 1 cup solid butter in the top of a double boiler. As soon as it’s melted, remove from heat. Cool for about 30 minutes. Add in coconut oil, almond oil, vitamin E oil, and essential oils if desired. I transfer from the pan into a large glass mixing bowl. Stick in in the fridge or freezer to speed up the cooling process. Check on it to make sure it doesn’t get too hard. Get your mixer out and blend until it’s smooth. It will be uneven in the beginning. Sometimes I mix, let it rest, and then mix some more. Scoop it into smaller containers. You can use fruit jars, or old jelly jars. Avoid plastic during this phase. Later you can transfer the cooled product into plastic containers easily. I even use tiny little contact lens cases to keep in my pocket or in the car. If you are like me and don’t have a double boiler, this can still work for you. I have a heavy glass measuring cup. It fits perfectly over the edge of a medium-sized pan. The handle prevents it from falling into the boiling water. Testing for allergic reactions You may want to do a skin test on essential oils first. Be sure that there are no allergic reactions. You might experiment by adding more to increase the scent. Each batch that you try something new. Add 2 tablespoons of local honey (and by adding that liquid, add ¼ cup more solid shea or cocoa butter. With the holidays coming up, we like to get busy in the kitchen. It’s a little work at first. I think you will agree that it is totally worth the effort. Your family will love it too! Have your own homemade recipe!? Share with our community! 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