Eczema Natural Remedies
Use an Alternative Atopic Dermatitis Treatment to Heal Itchy Skin
Jun 1, 2009
People with itchy skin can find relief by using eczema natural remedies. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a condition characterized by inflammation of the skin. It can also cause the skin to become flaky and itchy. Eczema is common among children, but a person can develop this condition at any age.
Eczema can appear on just about any part of the body, but it most often occurs on the arms and legs, especially in the folds of the skin such as behind knees and elbows. A person can have frequent bouts of eczema, or they can have longer periods between flare ups, sometimes going years without skin problems.
According the National Eczema Association, the exact cause of eczema is not known, but it does tend to occur among people who have family members with food allergies, hay fever, or asthma. In fact, many children who have eczema will eventually develop hay fever or asthma. Eczema is not contagious.
Probiotics Health Benefits for Eczema Patients
Probiotics are living organisms that are often referred to as good bacteria. They are naturally found in the gut of the human body. Probiotics are available in foods, or they can be bought as supplements. According to the National Institutes of Health, probiotics are safe for use in complimentary and alternative medicine.
Most of the studies that analyze the effectiveness of probiotics as a natural eczema treatment, focus on the strain known as Lactobacillus GG. Other strains of probiotics that are studied include Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacteria lactis , and Lactobacillus reuteri. Many studies suggest that there are some probiotics health benefits that can protect people from eczema.
A study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (January 2008), examined the findings from clinical trials, to further investigate the effectiveness of probiotics as an atopic dermatitis treatment. Researchers in this study concluded that probiotics work best as a method for preventing eczema, rather than as a treatment.
Oil of Primrose
Gamma-linolenic acids (GLA) such as evening primrose, are among the essential fatty acids. Oil of primrose and other essential fatty acids are found in vegetable oils. They are also available as supplements. Native Americans began using oil of primrose to treat swelling in the body. Several studies suggest that it is also effective as a natural eczema treatment.
In November of 1986, researchers at the University of Turku in Finland analyzed the ability of evening primrose to bring relief to patients with eczema. They divided the participants into two groups. One group received evening primrose oil supplements. The other group received a placebo. The patients who used evening primrose had a significant reduction in inflammation, itchiness and dryness.
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