Eczema Home Healing Remedies

 

Eczema and dermatitis (which simply means inflammation of the skin) are both terms used to describe non-contagious inflammatory skin conditions. The skin is usually red and itching with a rash, or there may be spots which can resemble small blisters which “weep” — ooze clear fluid to form a crust “Dry eczema” involves a thickening and drying of the skin and is often characterized by dry, flaky patches.

Allergies — to chemicals, metals or certain foods — are a common cause and in children milk intolerance (especially among those who have not been breast- fed) is often the culprit. Since human milk is an excellent source of gamma-linolenic acid, the illness has more recently been regarded as a failure in GLA metabolism. Persuading children to drink soya milk instead is not always easy, although it can often improve the condition. Food allergy also has aspects of addiction and dependence and children can literally be hooked on milk so, when the food is withdrawn, they can become irritable and unpleasant — much to their parents’ despair.

Herbal BeautyOther likely dietary culprits include wheat, eggs and fruits that are rich in salicylates (especially tomatoes, oranges, berry fruits, peppers and aubergines), or shellfish. Tension and anxiety can also be contributory factors, and eczema sufferers often find symptoms increase when they are worried or under additional work or family pressures.

Once the cause has been identified, treatment usually involves use of alternatives to cleanse the body of any toxins, and demulcent creams to soften and help repair skin damage. A tea containing burdock, dandelion and yellow dock can be helpful; eat plenty of turnips and carrots and try lotions containing almond oil and evening primrose oil with essential oils of lavender, marigold or chamomile. Chickweed cream can help to relieve itching, and borage juice used externally can also help cool and ease highly irritant flare-ups.

In the elderly, poor circulation related to weakened veins can lead to yet another type of eczema — varicose eczema — which may be associated with a tendency to develop varicose ulcers. Here, circulatory stimulants like ginkgo, ginger and cinnamon can help.

If stress is a problem, add soothing teas of chamomile, lemon balm, skullcap or wood betony to the regime.

Psoriasis Home Healing Remedies

Emotional stresses also play a significant role in psoriasis — an extremely common condition associated with the failure of skin cells to develop normally It is characterized by itchy, dry skin covered in silvery scales that flake off to reveal inflamed, red areas. The knees, legs, elbows, forearms and scalp are most frequently affected.

There is usually a family tendency to the problem and in some cases it can be associated with arthritis. Psoriasis generally first appears in the late teens or 20s and can then become a life-long problem. It tends to come and go for no apparent cause and will often disappear completely in the summer in response to plenty of sunshine and sea-bathing.

Herbal treatment usually involves the same sort of cleansing skin herbs used for eczema, as well as relaxing nervines to combat the associated stress. Alcohol should be strictly avoided as it dilates the peripheral blood vessels and encourages skin cell production still further.

An ideal treatment for minor cases is to apply a cream made from cleavers to small psoriatic patches as soon as they appear. Repeat two or three times a day. For psoriasis affecting the scalp, try hair rinses of a standard rosemary infusion with 5 drops of cade oil added. Cade oil can also be added to baths or creams.

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Body Care: Eczema Psoriasis Spa Medical Herbal Healing Remedies, Health and Beauty home remedies