Best Home Remedies for Eczema

In Ayurveda, the eczema skin condition is known as Vicharchika. An aggravation of the pitta and vata doshas can result in eczema. It may also occur due to an imbalance in the immune system. Therefore, this condition is often associated with other allergic conditions like hay fever and asthma. In a few cases, eczema gets cured on its own with the help of home remedies and preventive measures. However, it may also last long and can turn into a chronic condition that affects the deeper layers of the skin. The good news is that if an individual starts taking treatment in the initial stages when the symptoms appear, healing becomes easier and faster.

Doctors usually prescribe steroid creams, calcineurin-inhibitor ointments, antihistamines, or antibiotics for eczema. These help, but long-term steroid use can thin the skin and cause other side effects, so many people look for gentler ways to manage it.

Common symptoms of eczema are:

1. Redness on skin
2. Dry and flaky skin
3. Rough and thickened skin
4. Itching
5. Inflammation of skin

In alternative medicine, doctors often prescribe steroid creams and medicines, which for many people don’t invariably do the trick. There are alternatives you can adopt to ease the terrible itching. However, in extreme cases, home remedies for eczema cannot cure the condition, but they can help to provide relief from itching and can also minimise relapse.

Eczema on hands and fingers

Hands flare easily because they are washed often and touch detergents and chemicals. To protect them:
• Wear cotton-lined gloves for washing dishes, clothes and cleaning.
• Use a mild soap and apply a thick moisturiser or coconut oil after every hand wash.
• Pat hands dry instead of rubbing them.

Mentioned below are a few natural remedies for eczema that may assist in soothing your irritated skin:

1. Keeping the skin moisturised is extremely important in eczema. Dry skin tends to itch more and aggravate the condition. You can use coconut oil to apply it over irritated skin to soothe itching and burning sensations. You can also mix camphor with desi ghee and apply it to eczema skin.
2. Neem is a bitter, astringent herb that is cooling in nature and has antibacterial properties. It is one of the best Ayurvedic remedies for eczema as it clears away toxins from the blood. You can use neem water (neem leaves boiled in water) to clean the affected areas to relieve eczema and aid skin regeneration. Neem can also be taken internally by using the leaves in cooking dishes with a hint of bitterness. In case of dry, flaky skin, you can also make a paste of fresh butter with neem leaves paste and apply it to the skin.
3. Aloe vera is known as one of the best herbs for eczema due to its nourishing properties. It keeps your skin nourished in both ways, internally and externally. You can apply the fresh gel to the affected areas for quick relief from itching and burning and drink 30 ml of aloe vera juice with water every morning, preferably on an empty stomach.
4. Eczema and other skin conditions have been strongly linked to stress, both psychological and physical. Thus, taking some time out to relieve stress is extremely beneficial to prevent eczema flare-ups.

If eczema symptoms persist, it is important to seek advice from an Ayurvedic doctor to treat it from its root cause. If left untreated, it can become a chronic skin condition that may also affect your psychological well-being. At Jiva, our team of expert Ayurvedic doctors offers root-cause-based, personalized Ayurvedic treatment for eczema, along with dietary and lifestyle guidelines to offer you a safe, effective, and long-lasting solution.