Treatment advice for Eczema
Topical creams and salves containing one or more of the following herbs may help relieve itching and burning, and promote healing.
- Chamomile ( Matricaria recutita ) creams
- Chickweed ( Stellaria media )
- Marigold ( Calendula officinalis )
- Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra )
- Witch hazel ( Hamamelis virginiana ) cream. Liquid witch hazel can help with “weeping” or oozing eczema
- St. John’s wort ( Hypericum perforatum )
- Sarsaparilla ( Smilax sp. )
- Marshmallow ( Althea officinalis )
Reducing stress, nervousness, anxiety, and depression may help prevent flares of eczema. Mind-body techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy and autogenic training, have been shown to help. Both techniques can also be combined with learning about eczema.
Avoiding eggs, fish, peanuts, and soy may help some people reduce flares. Ask your doctor to help you determine if avoiding these foods might reduce the frequency and severity of flares.
Advice for Eczema
Eczema is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder. It can appear as blisters that crust over to become scaly, itchy rashes, or as dry, thick patches of skin with scales. The main symptom is itching, and symptoms can come and go. Although eczema is not contagious, it is very common. People with eczema often have a personal or family history of allergies. There is no cure, however, treatments can reduce symptoms and help prevent outbreaks.
The most common signs of eczema are:
- Dry, extremely itchy skin
- Blisters with oozing and crusting
- Red skin around the blisters
- Raw areas on the skin from scratching, which can cause bleeding
- Dry, leathery areas that are either darker or lighter than their normal skin tone (called lichenification)
- Scaling, or thickened skin
Eczema in children under 2 years old generally starts on the cheeks, elbows, or knees. In adults, it tends to be found on the inside surfaces of the knees and elbows.
Your doctor will look at your skin and ask questions about your personal and family medical history before making a diagnosis. Your doctor may ask about stress in your life, your diet, drugs you are taking, soaps and detergents you use, and chemicals or materials you may be exposed to at work. Your doctor may perform a skin lesion biopsy (removal of a small piece of skin), but it is not always needed to make the diagnosis.
