Tips to help treat eczema – naturally

A common skin disorder, eczema causes dry, irritated, red, itchy skin that can be very painful for some. Eczema is generally caused by an allergic response to foods, chemicals, or other substances such as perfumes or soaps but most importantly, eczema can be caused by poor digestion, inflammation and conditions like Leaky Gut Syndrome.

If eczema is a condition driven by the likes of inflammation in the gut, we need to look at ways to switch off that inflammatory marker and create a healthy gut environment for healthy skin.

Here are some tips I have put together to help your skin irritations such as eczema:

1) Fish oil

We all hear fish oil is good for us, but why? Most of the health benefits of fish oil are because it is one of natures’ richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) and (EPA). Fish oils are well known for their anti-inflammatory properties and in the case of eczema, great for the treatment of irritated, red, inflamed skin.

2) Probiotics

A healthy gut means a healthy individual. The first and most overlooked reason why our digestive tract is critical to our health, is because 80 percent of your entire immune system is located in your digestive tract! Supplementing with “good bacteria” to populate your gut and fight off bad bacterial strains will naturally reduce gut damage, inflammation and turn down an overactive immune system.

3) Vitamin D

Very simple, Vitamin D has antibacterial properties and boosts immunity. We all know we get our Vitamin D source from the sun, yet Vitamin D deficiency is fast becoming one of the most serious health threats for the Western world. A huge 89% of Australians are deficient. Apart from this Vitamin being essential for bone health, it plays a key role in prevention of mental health disorders such as depression and is essential for cancer prevention and our longevity.

4) Glutamine powder

Glutamine is known to improve our gastrointestinal health because it is a vital nutrient for the intestines to rebuild and repair mucous membranes which line our gut. For a case of a digestive system which is inflamed, irritated, damaged and causing skin disorders such as eczema, a gut healing powder such as Glutamine would be perfect on a daily basis.

5) Slippery elm powder

A powder very well known to be beneficial for digestive issues such as IBS and inflammation. In addition to its ability to soothe and protect the digestive system, slippery elm also contains antioxidants, making it a great remedy for wounds, burns, boils, psoriasis and other external skin conditions such as eczema.

6) Coconut oil

Coconut oil protects the skin and has many antioxidants that make it ideal for the treatment of eczema. In addition to its antimicrobial properties, coconut oil is made up of three particular fatty acids, two of them (Caprylic and Lauric) are known to reduce inflammation internally and externally, making it ideal for healing the skin.

7) Tumeric

This herb is well known for its vibrant yellow colour and very well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Adding Tumeric to your food daily will work wonders to improve an inflamed digestive tract or can simply be taken as a cancer fighting agent. Tumeric capsules are also available from your health food store and can be taken in acute or chronic situations if suffering from inflammatory skin flare ups.

Below is an eczema healing smoothie you can try at home. Also an easier way of helping your little ones eczema.

Choc Coconut Eczema Healing Smoothie

Ingredients:

250 ml Coconut Milk
1 cup of water
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
2 grams Glutamine powder
1 tsp Probiotic powder
Ice
Cinnamon and Coconut flakes to taste

Blend all the ingredients until smooth, serve immediately.

Do you have any other tips to add? Please share in the comments below.

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34 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 23 Jul 2021
    11:19 am
I had the most awful eczema when I was a child. When I left home at age 18 my eczema cleared up. I worked out that all those years it was a the laundry powder that my mum had used.

- - mom94125 said
  - 06 Sep 2016
    5:32 pm
my friend’s daughter has this. i will show her this article

- - mom71820 said
  - 04 Aug 2016
    12:46 pm
That’s great, thanks! My LG had it bad as a baby & it still sometimes flares up. I’ll give them a try next time.

- - ella12 said
  - 25 Jul 2016
    4:11 pm
Thanks for sharing, my little one has eczema.
- staceylee replied
  
  25 Jul 2016 , 9:42 pm
  Eczema can be a dreaded thing. Hopefully some of these help your little one. In the coming weeks Archer Naturals will be launching a new eczema bath milk to help keep skin hydrated through bath time and assist with skin healing if this interests you.
- - rovermum said
  - 25 Jul 2016
    12:50 pm
Thanks for these tips. I will share these with my friend whose baby has eczema.

- - mom67623 said
  - 23 Jul 2016
    4:02 pm
I have becomea strong advocat for Organic coconut oil been using it on my skin for a while now and can see the difference in texture. I also drink coconut water now and again as it is a great source for dihydration that water alone does not have.
- staceylee replied
  
  25 Jul 2016 , 9:43 pm
  Eczema can be a dreaded thing and coconut oil does work wonders. My only thing here i can add would be, be careful of coconut water and the sugar component. Too much isn’t necessarily a good thing for the gut.
  Well done with all your food sources!
- - mom134803 said
  - 23 Jul 2016
    12:43 pm
Some great remedies here. I have also good experiences with Shea butter. The last couple of years I’ve made a facial cream using Shea butter, coconut oil and a bit of olive oil making it easier to apply (especially in the winter when Shea butter and coconut oil become very solid/hard.
Instead of Probiotic powder I use kefir, kombucha and homemade sauerkraut.
Same for Glutamine powder, I prefer to use glutamine via foods. Glutamine is found in large quantities for in quark, cottage cheese, as well as in yogurt, milk and eggs. In addition, this amino acid is also found in soy, wheat, spinach, cabbage, beans and tofu.
After suffering from eczema for years in my childhood and early adulthood, I’m eczema free now for many years.

- - Missey Grace said
  - 22 Jul 2016
    9:29 pm
Well said. Coconut oil does wonders and it is really soothing and magical.

- - mom70876 said
  - 05 Jul 2016
    10:52 pm
Some great natural remedies there that I was previously unaware of.

- - june11 said
  - 03 Jul 2016
    9:51 pm
I have a friend who has suffered from eczema off and on since she was a baby.
Over the years companies have changed the “ingedients”, in some cases just varied the % of them. The product that was OK then triggered it. In her 30s she now uses Purity Liquid Detergent which is actually designed originally for babies with sensitve skin. She also uses their fabric conditioner. If they change that she will have to start the search again.
She had the same problem with sunscreens. She keeps the packaging so she can check the “ingredients” even whether the % has changed at all.
I know of one little toddler whose eczema was effected by the water when they moved interstate. Instead of being a red rash, it also blistered sometimes. It was so sore sometimes he would cry for ages when he tried to walk. They had made no other changes and checked everything they used, details on packaging etc. They thought it may be the different soil and had tests done. He showed no reaction to anything different except the mains supply of water.

- - mom168864 said
  - 30 Jun 2016
    2:01 am
I have used BEE VITAL medi honey and one other medi manuka honey and with just one application it healed a very sore weepy scabby patch of eczema up in 2 days.
- staceylee replied
  
  30 Jun 2016 , 9:12 pm
  This is wonderful! Coconut oil and Beeswax are very common applications for eczema topically.
- - mom111362 said
  - 28 Jun 2016
    11:58 pm
moisturise! avoid long soaks in hot water

- - mom56312 said
  - 28 Jun 2016
    9:53 pm
With my kids two out of three had bad eczema that was till my friend gave me some tri nature washing powder.. I would not have believed it was possible but it was.. What i using to wash my kids clothes in that was causing it.. It is suppose to be nature friendly but since using it for a couple of years now my kids only ever get it in extreme heat.. I know im one of the lucky ones but i havent had to by the creams needed in years so the cost of the powder is offset buy the savings on the cream.. And th best bit is it works well on cleaning the clothes…
- staceylee replied
  
  29 Jun 2016 , 9:00 am
  This is fantastic. Quiet often for some it can be something as simple as our washing powder or something environmental. A great outcome for your family.
- - Janine said
  - 27 Jun 2016
    10:46 pm
My 2 month old daughter was diagnosed with eczema and I tried every cream and tonic imaginable. I was breastfeeding and a friend who is also a health practitioner said I should go sugar free and grain free. It was TOUGH but it worked! I ate lots of chicken broth, vegies, probiotics for myself and my daughter and her gut healed beautifully. My eating and cooking practises have Improved considerably but I still love my chocolate and thankful not to have to do it again because my daughter is now 10 months and still eczema free ????
- staceylee replied
  
  28 Jun 2016 , 8:33 pm
  Well done! This is something I suggest in clinic ALOT.
  Grains, sugar and dairy are very common intolerance’s and create havoc in the gut including inflammatory skin conditions. So happy to hear you have have one healthy happy eczema free baby.
- - mom155589 said
  - 25 Jun 2016
    3:52 pm
Thank you for the information. Currently I am struggling with eczema around the mouth with my toddler. I’ll try some of these tips. hopefully it will help her.
- staceylee replied
  
  25 Jun 2016 , 9:33 pm
  Hopefully these tips come in handy and provide some relief. If i can make another suggestion if the irritation is around the mouth.
  Look at particular food irritants such as salicylates in foods. Sometimes the child may be getting the irritation around the mouth as the food makes contact with this area.