Eczema is inflammation of upper layer of skin (epidermis).Eczema is a persistent skin condition. These include dryness and recurring skin rashes which are characterized by one or more of these symptoms: redness, skin edema (swelling), itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding.

Eczema - A broad term encompassing acute and chronic superficial inflammatory conditions often associated with pruritus or burning.

Eczema is synonymous with the term dermatitis, and is derived from the Greek term for "boiling over."   It initially presents with edematous, erythematous papules and vesicles with occasional overlying crust.  Vesicles arise from intraepidermal inflammatory intercellular edema, or spongiosis.  Later, eczema typically evolves to become lichenified (diffuse thickening of epidermis), xerotic, and scaly.  The distribution of eczema can be localized or diffuse, and the borders of lesions are usually indistinct from surrounding normal skin. Often considered hereditary and associated with allergic rhinitis and asthma. Numerous subtypes of eczema have been identified, including: xerotic eczema and nummular eczema.  Infantile eczema is an outdated term for atopic dermatitis.

The Cause Of Eczema

There are various reasons people get eczema -

• heredity
  
• food allergic
• stress level.
  

1. Heredity is the common cause for eczema, and even though you can’t change your genes however there are several things you can do to minimize the effect such as applying moisturizer twice a day, in the morning and late at night.
2. Food allergic varies from person to person, you should keep track yourself on which food that can trigger your allergic reaction. Stress level is another common cause for eczema, taking a rest or simply afternoon walk in the park can help a lot.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a natural treatment that acts as a relief for eczema. Applying coconut oil twice a day can help soothing the itch and burning sensation on your skin.

Blueberry

Blueberry can work wonder to cure eczema naturally because blueberry contains special acid called chlorogenic acid that can acts as anti inflammatory, reducing itching and swelling. Usually comes in 2 forms lotion and extract, you can find both at local healthcare and skincare stores.

Oatmeal Bath

Oathmeal bath also another natural remedy that works wonders to cure eczema. After taking the bath, you can apply Aloe Vera lotion or moisturizer for maximum results.

Moisturizer

Moisturizer helps to prevent eczema symptoms even though the cause of your eczema is heredity. Generally speaking, applying moisturizer twice a day is sufficient, however there is no strict rule about this, you can apply the moisturizer anytime you want as long as you feel comfortable, applying moisturizer after taking a bath also recommended to prevent and sooth eczema.

Eczema

Do's and Don't for Eczema

Following are some of the simple tips to prevent eczema:

- Reduce intake of foods with a high mineral content such as ginger, onion and ladies finger.

- Several spices and oils can aggravate eczema. Take them in moderation.

- Identify the allergic factor that is causing the eczema and remove it completely from the environment.

- Do not use salad vegetables like cucumbers and radish.

- Avoid fruits like oranges, watermelons and papayas as they are contra-indications to eczema.

- Restrict intake of ice creams and cold drinks.

- Nuts are harmful to eczema, especially cashew nuts.

- If the eczema is due to an ingredient in the diet, then restrict that particular food completely.

- Do not use soaps and detergents on the inflamed skin. Use special non fragrant soaps available in the market made from herbal ingredients.

- Use warm water for the bath, but not hot or cold water.

- Do not use rough towel for drying the skin. Use a soft fiber towel and only pat dry.

- Avoid sweating as much as you can.

- Do not visit places where there is cold and dry climate.

- Keep the house clean and dust-free. Regular cleaning and dusting of each corner of the house is necessary.

- Sunbath and steam bath are very helpful in treating eczema. Sunbath helps in killing bacteria and other disease causing germs. Patient should repeat steam bath 2-3 times a day.

Home Remedies for Eczema

Following are some of the effective home remedies for eczema:

- Take one teaspoon of each camphor and sandalwood and make a paste of them. Allow the paste to settle for some time and then apply it gently over the infected area. Repeat this for a week, twice a day. It is very effective home remedy for eczema.

- Mango has many curative properties. Peel off the mango skin, and boil the pulp in water, allow it to cool. Apply this paste over the infected area for 10-15 days. This is effective home remedy for eczema.

- You can also apply extract juice of musk over the wound. It will help in curing eczema.

- You can also try this home remedies for eczema. Prepare fresh fruit or vegetable juice and apply it over the eczema affected area. Fruits or vegetables that are used for this purpose are carrot, orange, grapes and spinach.

- Strawberry paste is also used for treating eczema. Prepare a paste of 3-4 strawberries and apply it to the affected area, cover the paste with a thick band-aid or clean cotton cloth (take a perforated cotton cloth). Apply this paste 3-4 times a day for 1-2 weeks.

- The best way to deal with eczema is to cleanse blood and the body. The sufferer should get as much of fresh air as possible.

- Patient should take an enema if a diet of fruit and fresh vegetables does not help relieve his constipation. Walking and jogging should be resorted in order to activate the bowels.

- Another effective natural remedy for eczema is the mud pack. A light mud pack applied over the affected area is also helpful. The pack should be allowed to remain for one hour at a time, it could be repeated twice or thrice in a day. A mud pack over the whole body dried in the sun and later washed with cold water could be doubly helpful.

- Avoid salt, sugar, cereals, fats, boiled milk, onion, garlic and radish.

- Carrot and musk melon is particularly beneficial in eczema. They should be taken three to four times daily reducing the intake later on and adding milk and curds.

Herbal Remedies for Eczema

Following are some of the effective herbal remedies for eczema:

- Add 2-3 teaspoon of turmeric powder to water and boil it at low flame. Remove it from heat and allow it cool a little. Wash the eczema affected area with this solution. You can also replace turmeric with margosa (neem) leaves.

- Prepare a paste of nutmeg in water and apply 2-3 times a day over the infected area. This paste is very effective in curing the various skin diseases.
Eczema consists of an inflammation of the skin of a catarrhal character. It is attended with papules, vesicles or pustules, more or less discharge and with itching and other symptoms of irritation. Eczema is generally found in persons of morbid constitution where the bowels or kidneys are defective.

Herbs for Eczema

Below are the herbs that are found effective in the treatment of eczema:

Babul – The bark of babul tree is useful in the treatment of eczema. About 25 grams each of this bark and the mango bark should be boiled in about 1 liter of water and the vapors allowed fomenting the affected part.

Butea – The seeds, ground and mixed with lemon juice, can be daubed on dhobi’s itch, an eczema-type of skin disorder, characterized by itching.

Linseed – An equal part of linseed oil and lime water mixed together is an effective remedy for eczema and herpes, burns and scalds.

Madhuca – The leaves of the madhuca are also used in treating eczema. The leaves, smeared with sesame oil, warmed over a fire and bandaged on the affected parts provide relief.