Is Vaseline Good For Eczema?

Eczema is a term used for different types of skin rashes. It typically causes the skin to become red, dry, itchy and cracked. More commonly, the folds of the arms or front of the elbows, back of the neck, behind the knees, inside of thighs, and wrists. Sometimes, eczema can also affect other body parts, including your face, scalp, and abdomen. There are many eczema treatments and methods to treat eczema Vaseline, but let’s know the cause and symptoms of eczema.

Causes of eczema:

Eczema is an inflammatory condition of the skin, and the most common cause for eczema is a genetic factor; it can be inherited from parents. Some other reasons that lead to the development of eczema are:

• Exposure to dry weather conditions like cold or excessive wind. This leads to the loss of natural oils, which are responsible for keeping your skin moisturized.
• Exposure to harsh chemicals like household cleaners, paints, and solvents can irritate the skin.
• Eczema is also observed in people undergoing certain medical conditions like thyroid problems, asthma, hay fever, and skin infections.
• Allergies to certain foods, soaps, detergents, mold spores, etc., may also lead to eczema.

Eczema Symptoms:

Symptoms of eczema include:

• Red, dry and itchy skin
• Skin gets cracked, leading to the formation of blisters which take a long time to heal. These cracks occur due to a lack of natural oils in the skin.
• Some people may also complain of pain or stinging sensation in and around the affected areas. Sometimes, the skin may even burn or feel unusually warm.
• In some cases, eczema also causes thickening of the skin, resulting in “lichenification,” leading to dark-colored patches over the skin.

Types of Eczema: 

There are different types of eczema, including contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, stasis dermatitis, nummular eczema, etc.

• Contact Dermatitis: This type of eczema is often seen in people who frequently use cosmetics or cleaning products.
• Seborrheic dermatitis: It typically affects the scalp and other parts of the body, including ears, face, chest, and upper back.
• Dyshidrotic eczema: This is a type of eczema that often affects the hands and feet. It usually causes small blisters on the palms or soles of the feet. They are itchy and may be swollen too in this type of eczema.
• Nummular eczema: This type of eczema causes coin-shaped patches on the skin.
• Stasis dermatitisis generally observed in people who have undergone an injury or surgery on their leg veins. Swelling of legs occurs due to this problem, and at times, it can even develop into eczema.

Eczema treatment:

There are many treatments for eczema that range from topical creams, oral medications to phototherapy and natural remedies. These include:

• Corticosteroid cream or ointment is one of the most commonly used treatments. It helps in reducing inflammation and irritation on your skin. However, you can use corticosteroid cream for a short period. You can take advice from your dermatologist about how to apply it and for how long.
• Antihistamines are also prescribed by doctors if itching is severe, and antihistamine pills may offer some relief.
• Topical calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus or pimecrolimus are also prescribed by doctors.
• Phototherapy is another treatment for eczema, and it can be done in two ways: photochemotherapy or phototherapy. The affected area is exposed to UVA light in photochemotherapy, while UVB light is used in phototherapy. However, this treatment should be done under a doctor’s supervision as there are chances of getting skin cancer from this therapy.
• Natural remedies for eczema include using glycerine soap or Dove soap instead of any other soaps, avoiding harsh chemicals, wearing all cotton clothes, applying aloe vera gel on your skin, etc.

Is Vaseline good for eczema:

Vaseline is a petroleum jelly that is often used for hydrating the skin. It’s composed of mineral oil and paraffin, and it also contains lanolin, a natural wax secreted by wool glands. Some people with eczema may find relief if they apply petroleum jelly along with their treatment for eczema. Here are the benefits of using Vaseline:

• It can help in hydrating your skin.
• It’s also effective in reducing inflammation in the affected area. However, apply it before bed as it takes time to absorb into the skin.
• Using petroleum jelly may help people with dry, rough, and scaly patches caused by eczema as it has moisturizing properties.
• It can help relieve itching and other symptoms of eczema as it contains lanolin, an anti-inflammatory agent.

However, there are few things that you need to know before using Vaseline:

• If you’re using petroleum jelly on your skin for a long time or applying it frequently, then never use any other kind of medication along with it, as the combination may irritate your skin.
• While applying Vaseline, always massage gently as if you rub too hard. This could cause more redness and swell in the affected area.
• Never apply petroleum jelly near eyes because it could worsen the problem and may even cause styes around them. Also, it can irritate the eyelids.
• If you’re using Vaseline to treat blisters, cuts, or wounds, then make sure that they are covered as they can cause infection if not applied properly. Also, never use petroleum jelly on open wounds as it may trap harmful bacteria and lead to infections.
• If you have any open wounds or cuts, avoid using Vaseline as it could increase your chances of infection near the affected area.

How shall I use Vaseline for eczema?

You can apply Vaseline in three different ways to get relief from the symptoms of eczema. Let’s discuss each method in detail below:

Vaseline for itching: If you’re suffering from itchiness on your skin, apply petroleum jelly regularly on the affected area to get relief. However, don’t use more than thrice a day as regular usage may lead to an allergic reaction.

Vaseline for dryness: If you have excessively dry skin due to eczema, applying petroleum jelly can help hydrate your skin and make it smooth. Apply Vaseline on the affected area before going to bed at night so that it absorbs into your skin overnight, giving you smoother and softer skin in the morning.

Vaseline for moisture: Applying Vaseline on the skin before going to bed is another effective eczema treatment. In this method, apply petroleum jelly at night before going to sleep, and it gets absorbed by the skin overnight.

Vaseline is an excellent moisturizer that can provide relief from itchiness and dryness caused due to eczema. If you’re using petroleum jelly as a remedy, then always remember that Vaseline should be used just a few times a day and never more than thrice in one day. This will help soothe your skin with minimal chances of any side effects or allergic reactions. Also, if you have any open wounds or sores near the affected area, avoid Vaseline as it could increase your chances of infection.

Are there any side effects of using Vaseline?

While Vaseline can provide instant relief from itching, dryness, and inflammation caused due to eczema, there are some side effects that you might experience after using it. Let’s discuss them in detail below:

1. Allergic reaction

Vaseline is composed of chemicals like petroleum jelly and mineral oil which may cause an allergic reaction on your skin if used for a long time or applied frequently on the affected area without any medical advice. So make sure you read all the instructions provided along with the packaging of Vaseline before using it on your skin. Avoid using Vaseline if you’re unsure about its usage, as this could worsen the problem further instead of giving you relief. Also, never use Vaseline with other forms of treatment as it can cause an allergic reaction along with the medicines you may be using.

2. Irritation on the skin

Since Vaseline is composed of chemicals like petroleum jelly and mineral oil, it could potentially irritate your skin if used excessively or for long. So if you’re using Vaseline to treat eczema and don’t see any positive results after a few days, then stop using it immediately and look out for other remedies that might help you treat this condition instead. Also, always remember to clean the affected area before applying Vaseline because dirt and germs can trap bacteria inside the blisters leading to further infections.

3. Eye irritation 

If you apply Vaseline near your eyes, make sure that they are thoroughly clean before you do so. This is because petroleum jelly can irritate your eyes if they are not pure before applying Vaseline near the area.

4. Sticky feeling

Petroleum jelly has a sticky feel that will make your skin feel tacky and sticky after applying it to the affected area for some time. However, the stickiness will subside after some time, but if you’re using any other form of treatment on your skin, this may interfere with its effects and lead to further issues like infections, etc. So use Vaseline as directed by your doctor for eczema, so you do not experience any side effects on your skin.

These are some side effects associated with the use of petroleum jelly, as described above. Still, they happen only in rare cases and usually subside after a few days of continued use.

What are some natural ways to cope up with eczema?

In addition to Vaseline, some other natural remedies can be used to treat eczema without causing any side effects on your skin. Let’s discuss some of them in detail below:

1. Use oatmeal

Moisturizing your skin is one of the best ways to get rid of dryness and itchiness caused due to eczema, so oatmeal is a great ingredient that can provide you instant relief from these two symptoms. Oatmeal also helps soothe the skin by acting as a coolant and reducing inflammation or redness of affected areas while providing moisture to it at the same time. In addition to this, oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce pain associated with eczema by not letting the immune cells attack the healthy cells surrounding them.

2. Use apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is another excellent ingredient that can help you fight off not just dryness but also inflammation caused due to eczema. And one of the best ways to use it is by diluting two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a bowl containing enough amount of warm water so that your skin quickly absorbs it. Once it’s absorbed, gently massage affected areas with this solution for 5 minutes and then wash it off with cold water, which will close up the pores and prevent further infections.

3. Get rid of laundry detergent

One primary reason why your skin becomes dry or inflamed while washing clothes is that most laundry detergents contain enzymes that can cause irritation or inflammation on your skin. So instead of using detergents, use a liquid soap solution to wash clothes, which will prevent dryness and itchiness and make clothes softer and more comfortable to wear.

4. Use coconut oil

Coconut oil is another excellent remedy for treating eczema as it’s composed of fatty acids like capric acid, lauric acid, and caprylic acid that help moisturize the skin by locking in moisture and soothing the irritated area with anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to this, it also has antiviral properties that kill bacteria causing infections on your skin while providing relief from pain caused due to inflammation. Hence, this makes coconut oil one of the best natural remedies to treat eczema without causing any side effects.

5. Get rid of soaps

Soaps are one of the biggest reasons why your skin is dry and irritated due to eczema, so using them can aggravate your condition even more than before. So do yourself a favor by avoiding the use of soaps entirely on your skin and instead opt for some natural solution that will moisturize and provide you relief from pain caused due to inflammation or infection on the affected area.

And if you’re wondering how you can get rid of eczemas, then you can choose homeopathy. Homeopathy treatment for eczema is an entirely safe treatment. There are thousands of patients who have been cured of this disease with homeopathy.

Homeopathic treatment for eczema:

Homeopathy treatment for eczema is an entirely safe treatment. There are thousands of patients who have been cured of this disease with homeopathy.

Homeopathy treatment for eczema provides holistic medicine. It is the best treatment for eczema. Homeopathy treats the internal cause of eczema, thus providing complete relief from this disease.

Homeopathic medicines are highly effective in curing skin diseases like psoriasis, dermatitis, urticaria, etc. There are countless homeopathic remedies for all types of skin problems. In case if you are suffering from eczema, you can consult a homeopathy doctor for eczema treatment. You can book an appointment now through OHO Homeopathy!