Eczema, if you have it you know it.

Pamela Allen MH

Immediate relief can be as simple as applying Vitamin A or E oil to the area. Poke a small hole in capsules that you have and squeeze out the oil.

Make your own special blend with olive oil or aloe as a base (some manufactures use sulfites in the processing of aloe avoid these). Add a little evening primrose oil and lavender or sandalwood oils (both of these oils reduce redness and smell good).

If the oils are too heavy or you find they aggravate the condition there are many herbs can be used topically as a wash for symptom relief. It can be as simple as soaking a tea bag in a little water and just applying the wet tea bag to the area. The other option is to make a strong tea and bathe the area using a tea drenched cotton ball or washcloth. Brew up a big pot of strong tea, add it to a bath and soak. Herbs to try are chamomile, licorice, and golden seal.

Adding essential fatty acids to your supplement routine is probably the one best thing you can do to keep eczema under control.

Consuming a tablespoon of olive oil daily is a delicious place to start. Stir the oil into juice and slugged it down with your other supplements or employ more enjoyable ways to add beneficial olive oil to your diet. Pesto is a personal favorite or a simple olive oil flavored with fresh garlic and served with bread for dipping. Experiment with the different oils. There are many to choose from. I love coconut oil. I fries things beautifully and does not produce trans fats when heated. My children will even eat eggplant if it is sautéed in a little coconut oil.

Try making a salad dressing with macadamia nut oil.

Focus on the good fats like the fats in nuts, seeds and avocados.

Borage seed oil and primrose oil are most commonly taken as supplements or used topically. They contain the raw materials in the form of GLA (Gamma Linoleic Aid) that the skin needs to stay healthy. GLA is a building block for many of our body’s anti-inflammatory agents helping to keep prostaglandins under control.

Any of these nutritious oils can provide many benefits to the body. The good fats are the most common deficiency in our culture. We are only beginning to understand the important role they play in our wellness.

In most cases there is a food allergy component associated with this condition. Reactions can range between full blown allergies to the more subtle. Avoid foods that activate the inflammation process. Eating foods containing sulfides, MSG and artificial ingredients can be troublesome. Red wine may be trigger for some. Find your triggers and control or eliminate them.

Exercise caution with products used topically. Anything that comes in contact with the skin can cause a reaction. Cleaning products are particularly harsh. Consider your contact everyday to common substances such as dish soap, laundry soap, shampoos, soaps of all kinds, lotions, and toilet paper to name a few. Preservatives, colorings and fragrances are common culprits. Handling pickles or tomatoes may even cause a reaction. Nurses and other professionals who wash their hands frequently can be plagued by this irritating skin condition.

As always look for your own answers. I am glad to answer any questions Check out the website links offered here. One site rates products; the other has a blog for experiences.
Experiment with topical solutions.
Try the salve I offer here for the relief of eczema.
Discover how to manage your condition.

©2006 Pamela Allen MH.