10 Effective Ways To Treat Acute Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, and flaky. It can be brought about by several things such as allergies, stress, and climatic changes like humidity and hot weather. Eczema makes the skin extremely itchy, and the itchiness can be so overwhelming that you will want to scratch it until it bleeds. It is important to treat acute eczema as soon as possible, primarily if the symptoms manifest.

What is acute eczema?

Acute eczema is a recurrence of the symptoms that have persisted for less than six weeks. It usually affects the small areas in the folds of your skin, like behind your knees, elbows, and neck region. This type of eczema is considered mild compared to its chronic counterpart; thus, it can be treated quickly without more potent medications.

What causes eczema?

Many different factors can cause eczema, such as hormonal changes, skin infections, and skin diseases. However, the most typical reasons why people get eczema are allergies and stress.

• Dust mite pollens: 
• This is a common cause of itchy skin, especially during the spring and autumn seasons. This happens when the pollen from plants that the wind has carried attaches to our skin. One good example is poison ivy, which can be brought indoors in plant pots and garden materials and trigger itchiness and eczema on your skin.
• Food allergies:
• Food allergy may also cause eczema. Taking in foods like dairy products, eggs and fish can provoke an allergic reaction in your body, leading to chronic skin inflammation or excessive dryness. Stress: Stress may not directly cause eczema, but it can aggravate its symptoms, such as itchiness, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea, causing you to scratch your rash more often than usual.
• Animal fur and dander:
• This is another common allergy that can cause eczema. Pets like cats and dogs can bring about this type of reaction in your skin, which might spread to other people who do not have allergies but come into contact with people experiencing this condition.
• Allergies related to food: 
• Foods like peanuts, wheat, soy products, and tree nuts are commonly linked to allergic reactions. These foods may cause chronic skin inflammation because they contain many ingredients that your body’s immune system does not recognize as harmless substances, thus creating an autoimmune response (where the body fights against its cells because it thinks they are foreign bodies).
• Certain metals like nickel and cobalt
• These metals can also trigger eczema. This happens when these metals come into contact with the skin, and the body’s immune system overreacts to it, causing chronic inflammation.
• Physical factors: 
• Sunlight can greatly aggravate eczema as ultraviolet rays from the sun provoke an allergic reaction in your skin. It may cause irritation or itchiness on areas of your body that see direct sunlight, often like your scalp, neck, face, and arms. Hot weather incredibly humid weather can trigger eczema.
• Chemicals in cosmetics and soaps:
• Skincare products that contain chemicals like fragrances and dyes can trigger eczema. It may also cause a chemical allergy which makes your skin break out due to its irritating effects.

How do you treat acute eczema effectively?

The following are some all-natural ways on how you can successfully treat acute eczema:

1) Use moisturizers regularly

Apply moisturizer 2-3 times a day, especially after taking showers or cleansing your face. The emollients in these products will help hydrate your skin by trapping water into it, thus preventing it from losing that moisture.

2) Use oatmeal water as a bath soak

Oatmeal is an excellent home remedy for treating your itching and dry skin. Mix one cup of colloidal oatmeal to 8 cups of warm water and stir until you get a milky solution; then chill it in the refrigerator, put it in a clean, old sock or pantyhose, and tie off the top to make a bag. You can dip this bag into the lukewarm oat water before bathing yourself. The fatty acids contained in oats are anti-inflammatory agents that ease itchiness on the skin caused by eczema.

3) Use apple cider vinegar as an herbal remedy

Apple cider vinegar is widely used in treating a variety of skin problems. It contains natural acidic properties that balance the pH level of your skin and fight off harmful bacteria that can cause infections. Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into one cup of water, then rinse it on your face with a cotton ball. Leave it until dry before applying moisturizer to your face.

4) Use licorice extract as a treatment for eczema

Licorice extract is another common cure in treating various skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis, and acne. It has anti-inflammatory agents that ease itchiness and irritation on areas where you have rashes due to this condition, thus effectively clearing out those inflamed skin patches from eczema. To use this remedy, you will need to extract the licorice extract using boiling water; then mix in glycerin and apply it onto your eczema-affected areas of skin. You can also directly put some chopped-up slices of this tuber on inflamed areas three times a day so your body can absorb its active ingredients effectively.

5) Use a humidifier to treat eczema

Applying gentle steam to your skin can help it stay hydrated by easing out dryness. This will prevent itching and other uncomfortable sensations from the irritated areas of the skin. Boil water in a pot, then turn off the stove and place a towel over your head as you lean towards the vapor so that it can open up your pores. Inhale this for 10 minutes, then blow out the hot air from your mouth into another towel placed in front of you; then repeat this process two more times or until excessive sweating occurs.

6) Use oatmeal and honey mask as an effective home remedy

Honey has anti-bacterial properties that prevent secondary infections like bacterial infections and abscesses, thus preventing further complications from this common skin disorder. It also contains natural antioxidants that prevent premature aging and fights off free radicals, thus avoiding damage to your skin cells. Mix one cup of oatmeal with 1/2 cup honey, add a teaspoon of cinnamon powder (optional), and one teaspoon whole milk. You will need to stir until the mixture creates a paste-like texture. Apply it on affected areas and let it sit for 30 minutes before washing it off using lukewarm water.

7) Use aloe vera as a home remedy for eczema

Aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and antiseptic properties that can effectively fight off infections from your skin–an effective way to treat those itchy patches caused by eczema. Extract the gel from an aloe vera leaf, then apply directly to inflamed parts of your skin. You can also mix one teaspoon of turmeric powder with half a teaspoon of honey and yogurt; then add a few drops of turmeric essential oil (optional). Mix all ingredients well, then apply this mixture to the affected areas. Leave it until dry before rinsing using lukewarm water.

8) Use a cold compress to ease the discomfort of eczema

You can use a clean and damp towel or cloth with cold water on it and apply this onto affected areas so you can relieve yourself from the itchiness caused by dry skin. Cold compresses also help reduce redness, swelling, pain, itching sensation, and fluid build-up in your inflamed area. The added moisture will prevent your skin from flaking off effectively. You can also add some salt at the last rinsing stage when doing your regular bathing–this is an effective way to treat eczema symptoms effectively.

9) Improve your diet to treat eczema

Your body needs essential nutrients like vitamins A, B complex, and C to develop healthy skin that keeps you away from itchiness. You can get these nutrients in vegetables like carrots, broccoli, peas; fruits like oranges and apples; nuts like walnuts and almonds; fatty fish like tuna, lean salmon meats, or poultry eggs. You should also limit your sugar intake because this will cause inflammation, the primary trigger of allergies. Drink green tea regularly for antioxidant benefits.

10) Keep stress at bay

Stress is one of the primary triggers of eczema flare-ups, so managing it is necessary if you want to prevent further complications brought about by this skin disorder. If stress cannot be avoided, minimize its impact on you by practicing meditation, yoga, deep breathing techniques, and other stress management strategies to relax your mind and body.

Chronic eczema is a persistent inflammatory skin disease that can affect anyone–adult or kids alike–. It is characterized by severe itching, dryness, small bumps on red patches of skin, fluid build-up under the skin’s surface, and rough and thickened skin layers that lead to solid peeling of the affected areas. It is always better that you start your eczema treatment on time not to become worse and more challenging to treat.

What are the treatment options available for eczema?

1. Corticosteroids: This treatment option is prescribed by dermatologists to manage moderate and severe eczema symptoms. Corticosteroid creams, gels, and ointments are available over the counter, while more potent corticosteroids may require a doctor’s prescription.
2. Antihistamines: This type of eczema treatment features oral antihistamine medications, which can effectively block histamine production and reduce your skin rashes and itchiness caused by this common skin disorder. This medication only relieves you of uncomfortable symptoms. Still, it does not treat the underlying cause(s) of eczema that makes you vulnerable to these flare-ups in the future, thus leading to chronic eczema (resistance to topical corticosteroids).
3. Immunosuppressant Drugs: These are oral medications that inhibit the immune system from helping you control your skin inflammation and prevent eczema symptoms from flaring up. Unlike antihistamines, these drugs suppress the body’s immune response to trigger the disease’s symptom(s) effectively–but there is a need for you to closely monitor your side effects because these medications can cause serious health issues if used for long periods.
4. Phototherapy or photochemotherapy (PUVA/UVB therapy):Exposure to UV light will make your skin more sensitive to other treatment options–especially topical corticosteroids–which often leads to increased absorption and efficacy corticosteroid treatments. The type of eczema treatment features oral antihistamine medications, which can effectively block histamine production and reduce your skin rashes and itchiness caused by this common skin disorder. This medication only relieves you of uncomfortable symptoms. Still, it does not treat the underlying cause(s) of eczema that makes you vulnerable to these flare-ups in the future, thus leading to chronic eczema (resistance to topical corticosteroids).
5. Antibiotics: It is used for bacterial infections that may flare up your skin rashes. This does not cure eczema, but it can resolve bacterial infections to minimize the severity of your symptoms.
6. Supplementation (Dietary or Supplemental): You can take Vitamin A, C, and E supplements to reduce inflammation; Vitamin D supplements to strengthen the immune system; omega-3 fatty acids to support cell membranes; bioflavonoids like quercetin for its antihistamine benefits; probiotics or essential fatty acids which can help you control your itchiness. Your dermatologist will also prescribe zinc tablets because this is an effective antioxidant agent in preventing free radical damage caused by eczema–which affects healthy cells and tissues.
7. Homeopathic treatment for eczema: Many homeopathic therapies have been used for years by many eczema sufferers to help them reduce flare-ups. Homeopathic treatment for eczema will not only ease your uncomfortable symptoms, but it does treat the underlying cause or causes of eczema so, it is best if you take these natural remedies in conjunction with other medical treatment options. Homeopathic treatment for eczema also helps prevent flare-ups and keep your skin healthy, beautiful, and itch-free. Homeopathic treatment of eczema allows you to boost up your immune system by increasing support to cell membranes. You must visit a registered homeopathy doctor if you are willing to use this treatment option for your eczema. You can book an appointment now through OHO Homeopathy!