Home Remedies for Eczema
What Is Eczema?
Eczema is also known, medically, as atopic dermatitis, atopic eczema or infantile eczema
It is a chronic disorder of the skin and is accompanied by itching rashes that are either red, dry, scaly or leathery. Skin blisters may also occur accompanied by crusting and oozing.
It typically occurs in infants for the first time. There is a manifestation of rashes that usually occur on the cheeks, knees or elbows. Eczema, though less problematic in adults can persist from childhood, specifically if the individual is exposed to chemical irritants or allergens or is stressed. In grown up people, eczema is localized either behind the knee or on the inner elbow.
Individuals with eczema generally have family members with hay fever, asthma or eczema.
Home Remedies For Eczema
Probiotics
Probiotics or “good” (pro – for – good) bacteria are living microbial organisms that thrive naturally in the digestive tract. The probiotics are believed to repress the potential growth harmful bacteria, strengthen the protective barrier of the digestive tract and influence the function of the immune system.
There is evidence, from studies, to show that babies at a high risk for allergy related disorders such as eczema, nurture various other bacteria and a different number of them in their digestive tracts when compared to other babies. Studies have also shown that expectant mothers and children on Probiotics have the chance of reducing the occurrence of eczema.
The use of a supplement of Probiotics against the use of a placebo to influence the frequency of eczema occurrence in infants was examined in a large study. One thousand two hundred and twenty three expectant mothers carrying high risk infants were involved in a randomized study on the use of Probiotics or a placebo for a period of two to four weeks before delivery.
From their birth the babies were given the same Probiotics that their mothers received and were also given galacto-oligosaccharides for six months. Galacto-oligosaccharides are known as “prebiotic” as there is proof that they help multiple strains of bacteria(the beneficial kind) to flourish. After a period of two years, it was found that the probiotics were more effective in preventing eczema than the placebo.
The use of probiotics in the treatment of eczema has also been studied in addition to its effectiveness in the prevention of the same. There are some studies to show that such an effect can be had with children and infants who were sensitized to food allergens.
There are studies being conducted by researchers to test the efficacy of various strains of bacteria to identify whether one particular is better than the others in the treatment of eczema. One, such probiotic strain is Lactobacillus GG. Others are Lactobacillus Fermentum VRI-033 PCC, Lactobacillus Reuteri, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus and Bifidobacteria Lactis. The effect of galacto-oligosaccharides is also being studied.
The advice of a physician should be taken before using probiotics. Only under a qualified health professional’s supervision should children with immune deficiencies be prescribed probiotics. More information on probiotics can be had by reading the publication “Acidophilus and Other Probiotics”.
Topical Herbal Gels And Creams
Creams and Gels manufactured from the herbal extracts of chamomile, witch hazel and licorice have been studied for their effect in reducing eczema. Some preliminary studies gave the following results:
* * A 1% and a 2% licorice gel was compared with a placebo in a double-blind study and it was found at the end of two weeks that both the gels were considerably more effective than the placebo. It was also found that the 2% licorice gel was more effective in the reduction of redness, itching and swelling.
* * Another study compared chamomile cream with 0.50% hydrocortisone cream or a placebo. It was found after the end of two weeks that the cream was more of use than the cortisone cream but not more significant than the placebo. Since the study was not a double-blind one, the results cannot be taken for granted.
* * A German double-blind study, 72 people suffering from moderately severe eczema were tested with a placebo containing witch hazel extract, 0.50% hydrocortisone cream and only the cream for fourteen days. The cortisone was more effective than the hazel, and the hazel was not significantly better than the placebo.
* * Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA)
These Gamma-linolenic acids are a type of essential fatty acids and can be found in borage and evening primrose oils. There is evidence that GLA can correct skin lipid deficiencies that trigger inflammation and as such it was believed that it could help cure eczema. Nonetheless, well designed recent studies have not proved that GLA generally helps cure eczema.
For instance, the use of borage oil (500 mg. daily) or placebo with 160 adults with moderate eczema was conducted for 24 weeks. After this study period there was no overall difference between the effectiveness of the oil and the placebo.