Natural Eczema Treatment with Essential Oils
Heal Skin Eczema Using Natural Aromatherapy Remedies and Cures
Nov 18, 2009 Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Looking for eczema treatment that is natural, safe, and really works? Therapeutic grade essential oils are a safe, gentle eczema cure that can remedy even the worst cases of this irritating skin disorder.
What is Eczema?
Eczema is a recurring or chronic skin condition, also known as atopic eczema, or by its medical name, atopic dermatitis. It most often occurs in babies and children, but can also affect adults. Eczema is itchy, often unattractive, and irritating but not contagious.
It may be linked to dry skin, allergies, or immune system dysfunction, although stress can also worsen this skin disorder. Common eczema symptoms include:
- red and brown roughened areas on the skin
- raised bumps which may weep and crust over
- itchiness, especially at night
- thick, scaly skin that may crack in cold weather, or under other conditions that are drying
- sensitivity and pain
Eczema rashes can occur almost anywhere on the body. Childhood eczema often occurs on the face, neck, and limbs, and may be worsened by exposure to chemicals in detergents, soaps, shampoo and other personal care products.
Natural Eczema Treatment with Aromatherapy
While there are numerous medical drugs that can be used topically for eczema, most of them have side effects and are only partly effective. Lifestyle approaches like avoiding eczema triggers, lessening exposure to the chemicals in most personal care products, and minimizing daily stress can be helpful, but don't always do the trick, either.
Essential oils are very helpful with skin conditions because they can be used both to moisturize the skin and to address the immunity problems or allergies that can act as triggers for eczema symptoms. Aromatherapy essential oils are natural liquids that contain all the healing power of herbs, magnified and concentrated. They have been used for centuries for everything from beauty and skin care to treating conditions like psoriasis and athlete's foot. Medicinal essential oils can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, and before.
Choosing the Essential Oils for Eczema Natural Treatment
There are many oils that can be helpful as an eczema treatment, either "neat" (without dilution) or mixed into a base of extra virgin olive oil or another pure, organic oil.
For safety reasons, on therapeutic grade oils whose source is known and trusted should be applied to the skin – inferior quality oils may worsen eczema symptoms. For more information on grades of aromatherapy oils, see The Real Quality of Essential Oils.
The best oils to use as eczema treatment include:
- chamomile
- helichrysum
- rose
- Melaleuca alternifolia (commonly called "tea tree")
- rosemary
- patchouli (patchouly)
- lavender
References:
Mayo Clinic Staff, "Atopic dermatitis (eczema)," MayoClinic.com, 2009.
Essential Science Publishing (compiled by), Essential Oils Desk Reference, 2nd Edition. USA, Essential Science Publishing, 2001.
Rosemary Essential Oil for Eczema Treatment
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