Best Natural Remedies For Eczema

Probiotics

You hear a lot about probiotics being good for your gut health; they may also benefit your skin. Studies have shown that probiotics, when taken by pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding, can help prevent eczema in infants. The research is less clear on whether or not it can treat existing eczema in adults, but Levitt says in her experience, probiotics are helpful in decreasing the severity of eczema. Probiotics are thought to restore the bacterial balance in the gut and reduce inflammation, including that of the skin.

Try it: You can find probiotics in foods like yogurt, sauerkraut and kefir. Probiotic supplements are also an option. “You want to use a probiotic that contains Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, around 20 billion live organisms,” says Levitt.

Note: Probiotics tend to be very safe for healthy people (if side effects occur, it’s usually only mild digestive symptoms such as gas). If you have a weakened immune system, be sure to discuss it with your doctor as probiotics may cause serious complications like infection.

Coconut oil

According to the National Eczema Association, more than 90% of people with eczema have colonised (when bacteria are present but not causing an infection) staph bacteria on their skin or in their nose. It’s unclear exactly how the bacteria and eczema are linked. Researchers don’t yet know if the staph bacteria are causing the eczema, if they’re a side effect of the eczema, or if the bacteria worsen eczema symptoms.

In a study published in the journal Dermatitis, patients with eczema were assessed for staph bacteria on the skin and then used either virgin coconut oil or virgin olive oil twice a day at two non-infected sites for four weeks. Of those who were positive for staph at the start of the study and received treatment with virgin coconut oil, only 5% were still positive for staph bacteria at the end of the trial. For those who were positive at the beginning of the trial and did virgin olive oil treatments, 50% were still positive for staph when the trial ended. In addition, the ones treated with virgin coconut oil had lower scores for dryness and dryness-related conditions, such as abrasions, redness, and thickening of the skin (due to scratching) at the completion of the study.

Try it: If you choose to use coconut oil on your skin, make sure you buy a virgin coconut oil. Apply a light coating to the affected area twice a day.

Fish oil

In a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, patients with eczema were given either 5.7g of omega-3 supplements or placebos daily for eight weeks. By the end of the trial, the people who were using the supplements had significant clinical improvement in eczema symptoms.

Try it: Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish, such as salmon, trout and mackerel, and shellfish, such as crabs, oysters and mussels. So upping your fish intake may help improve your eczema. Fish oil supplements are also available as liquids, capsules and pills. “Typically, we start people at dosages anywhere between one and three grams a day,” Levitt says.

Note: Fish oil usually doesn’t cause negative side effects for most healthy people. When side effects do occur, they’re usually minor gastrointestinal symptoms like belching, indigestion or diarrhea. However, high doses of Omega-3 may prolong bleeding time (for instance, if you were to accidentally cut yourself). So if you’re on blood thinners or use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, talk to your doctor before taking fish oil.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient healing art that originated in China thousands of years ago. During acupuncture, thin needles are inserted through the skin at strategic points on the body to alter the flow of energy. “In traditional Chinese medicine, eczema is often considered a condition of excess ‘heat’ in the body,” says naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist Peter Bongiorno. “Acupuncture points are designed to help ‘clear heat,’” he says.

In a study published in the journal Allergy, participants with eczema received a prick with an allergen stimulus before and after one of the following: acupuncture at two points considered to be linked to itchy skin (according to Chinese medicine), “sham” acupuncture (needles were inserted into two non-specific points), or no acupuncture at all. Participants who had true acupuncture had decreased itch sensation and less severe skin reactions that those in the other groups.

Try it: If you decide to give acupuncture a go, make sure the acupuncturist is licensed and certified.

Aloe vera gel

Aloe vera is a good choice if you’re looking for a topical to help cool the “fire” of eczema, says Bongiorno. “Aloe is well known to calm inflammation on the area it is applied,” he says. Aloe vera, which you can get directly from the leaf of an aloe plant or as a gel or juice from a health store or supermarket, has a cooling effect and helps soothe tender skin. It won’t clear eczema completely, but it can provide temporary relief of the itching and pain.

Try it: If you choose not to extract your aloe from a leaf, be sure to read product labels carefully. Some of the aloe products found in drugstores contain alcohol, which can burn and cause even more dryness to your skin. Bongiorno recommends applying aloe vera after a shower and before bed for best results.

Wet wraps

Even if you don’t have weeping eczema, wet wraps, without the witch hazel, can be beneficial. A study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found that wet wrapping helped to relieve itching and repair the epidermal barrier (the outermost layer of the skin) in patients with severe eczema. Another 2014 study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, found that children with mild, moderate and severe cases of eczema had an average of 71% improvement in symptoms when they were treated with in-patient wet wrapping therapy.

Try it: To do a basic wet wrap, Levitt says to apply your moisturiser to damp skin, cover it with a layer of damp gauze or cloth (you can use water to wet it), and then follow that with a dry layer of gauze or cloth. This helps eczema in two ways: “If it’s covered, you’re less likely to scratch it and get into an itch-scratch-itch cycle, and it helps keep the moisturiser on better,” Levitt says. Your moisturiser will be more effective if it stays put instead of rubbing off on your clothing or bedding. Leave the wet wrap on for several hours or overnight while you sleep.

Note: Overuse of wet wrapping can cause infections or breakdown of the skin, especially if you're using a prescription topical medication, so discuss with your doctor before you try this method.