Eczema Treatment

Eczema is a form of dermatitis or skin inflammation and is characterized by redness, itchiness, and dryness. In severe cases, symptoms may include crusting, flaking, blistering, oozing, and even bleeding. A type of eczema may be described by location, appearance, or by possible cause. When determining what type of eczema the patient is suffering from, a doctor is likely to ascertain information about family history, dietary habits, lifestyle, allergic tendencies, prescribed drug intake, and any chemical or material exposure at home or in the workplace. There are various ways to test for eczema, including blood tests, skin patch tests, and sometimes even a skin biopsy is taken. Dermatitis dries out the skin so moisturizing is the preferred treatment for eczema as keeping the area moist can promote healing.

The reason that moisturizing is the best form of eczema treatment is that anything which may dry out the skin or remove natural oils will do more damage. Soap removes dirt but it also removes natural oils, making the skin dry, irritated, and itchy. Using soap-free body washes ensure that the body maintains its natural oils and may reduce some of the need to use moisturizers. Light `emollients' or moisturizing agents like aqueous cream may dry the skin if it is very flaky, so it is best to use heavier ointment. The rule of thumb seems to be that the worse the problem, the heavier the ointment needs to be. Creams are easy to apply but because the body absorbs them so quickly, they need frequent application. Ointments have less water content and so are able to stay on the skin longer, needing fewer applications.

Emollient bath oils can also be added to the bath water to help with the eczema treatment. Some people choose to wear moisturizing gloves while sleeping. Others apply waterproof tape as an alternative to therapy. This is worn for an extended period of time, with or without other medicinal balms, and can stop the dryness, cracking, and mechanical abrasions caused by the continuous itch-cycle. An ancient medicinal treatment that has gained popularity recently is sulfur. This was fashionable in England during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, but there is no scientific evidence to claim that treatment with sulfur actually works. Many of the chemicals used in skin care treatment like eczema can do more harm than good. A natural alternative is often the better choice.

If you are interested in a holistic solution, there are numerous natural skin care products available. Australia is renowned for its all natural skin care products, many of which help with the treatment of eczema. Planet Blue is a company originally set up by two Australians who wanted to give the rest of the world access to the incredible natural products on offer. Planet Blue is dedicated to creating global awareness about the range of natural products available as an alternative to the harmful chemicals that are contained in many skin care products on the market today. Research is continuously being carried out, highlighting the impact that these harmful chemicals have and their long term effect. All the brands represented by Planet Blue are free of harmful chemicals and tested personally. Visit www.planetblueshop.com to view a wide range of products available and make your purchase online.