Eczema - three ways to get rid of dry and itchy skin at home
ECZEMA could be treated with creams, ointments or moisturisers. But how can you get rid of the dry skin condition at home? These are the best ways to prevent an eczema rash on your hands, face or knees.
Eczema: The facts
Eczema is a long-term condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked, according to the NHS.
It most often appears in children before their first birthday, but it can also develop for the first time in adulthood.
Symptoms can vary between small patches of dry skin, to large areas of red, inflamed skin all over the body.
Other than over-the-counter medication, patients could also get rid of their dry skin by using coconut oil, taking vitamins, or using a humidifier, it’s been claimed.
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Eczema treatment: Prevent dry, itchy skin with coconut oil or vitamin D
Vitamins
Eczema patients could reduce their dry skin symptoms by adding some vitamins to their daily diet, according to the National Eczema Association.
Supplementing vitamin D could improve signs of eczema, while not being overly-expensive, it said.
“Vitamin D supplementation, though still a bit controversial, is quickly becoming more mainstream as studies show both that supplementing vitamin D can help eczema, and that more severe eczema is correlated with lower levels of vitamin D,” it said.
“Safe and inexpensive, it seems a reasonable consideration for most patients.”
Taking vitamin B12 supplements may also lower the risk of eczema flare-ups, but more research is needed to confirm its benefits, it added.
Coconut oil
Swapping your standard moisturiser for coconut oil could prevent eczema flare-ups from coming back, a dermatologist has claimed.
The oil contains anti-inflammatories and antibacterials that work to stop eczema from getting worse, he said.
“Coconut oil can be a great moisturiser, and may even have some antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects,” said Dr Jeremy Fenton.
He told medical website Health: “People with eczema tend to have a higher load of bacteria on their skin, and that bacteria can make eczema worse.”
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Humidifier
Some eczema patients find their symptoms get worse during the late autumn to winter period.
That’s because the cold air dries out the moisture from the home - which subsequently dries out the skin, said Fenton.
The best way to counteract this effect is to sleep with a humidifier in the room, he said.
Look out for a ‘cool mist’ humidifier to rejuvenate the skin, and stop eczema symptoms from getting worse.
