Go-To Winter Eczema Remedies

Winter can mean snow, drier air, turning on the heat and for people with eczema, a whole new level of dryness and itching to stave off.

Because winter weather is so intense, we wanted to hear what works in the battle against eczema. We reached out on the AtopicDermatitis.net Facebook page, asking: “What are your best DIY eczema remedies to help with these dry, cold winter days?”

This was clearly a heated topic. More than 60 of you answered, and here is what you shared.

“I mix Vaseline with..."

Several of you mentioned that your go-to is a mix that includes Vaseline. Vaseline is great in that it locks in moisture, creating a veritable barrier so that your skin won’t get drier. Vaseline isn’t a cure, but it can certainly keep your skin from drying out further when facing the harsh temperatures of winter. Paired with a lotion or cream that moisturizes your skin, you create a 1-2 punch in attacking eczema. You may want to experiment and see if a combination of two products works well for you, too.

“I mix Vaseline and Vaseline Cocoa Butter lotion together for my daughter. It works better than any other cream.”

“I mix Vaseline with Cetaphil cream.”

“Coconut oil is great stuff for skin!”

If you like the thick, oily barrier created by something like Vaseline but you don’t want to apply petroleum to your skin, consider the natural alternative. Coconut oil naturally has antimicrobial properties to protect skin from bacteria. If you are going to use coconut oil, it is recommended to use cold-pressed virgin organic coconut oil to make sure you are not rubbing preservatives into your skin. Also, if you have nut allergies, note that coconut oil may cause allergic reactions.

“I keep a jar of solid coconut oil in the refrigerator. Coconut oil is great stuff for skin!”

“Coconut oil and Vitamin A and E drops mixed together. I put that on my skin day or night.”

“Bleach bath to kill bacteria on skin.”

A bleach bath may sound extreme, but many doctors do recommend them to kill bacteria on the skin—and eczema is caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. To make a bleach bath, add just a small amount of bleach to the bath, say a ¼ or ½ cup or so.

“Bleach bath to kill bacteria on skin, then lather on Vaseline. Next, put on pajamas right from the dryer. These are the dermatologist recommendations for my 4-year-old granddaughter with severe eczema. She has continued with Vaseline every night before bed and has been clear.”

“Bleach bath, coconut oil Vaseline, tight wet pajamas then dry ones over.”

“I have been using a mix with tea tree oil.”

Tea tree oil is an amazing natural cure for killing bacteria. It also fights inflammation and can work as an anti-itch cure. However, it is pretty potent on its own, so you may want to add a few drops to a lotion or mix it in with something else before applying directly to the skin.

“I have been using a mix with sunflower, sesame seed and tea tree oils in shea butter on my daughter.”

“I make a body scrub using coconut oil, sugar and tea tree oil. It exfoliates dry skin and leaves it smooth! Then I apply moisturizer after showering/bathing and always pat my body dry. I do not rub dry with a towel.”

Thank you to everyone who shared their skincare tips. Here's to a soothing, itch-free winter for everyone!