Trying to beat eczema can be a long and frustrating road as this pernicious disease cannot be cured, it can only be controlled. As with most things the biggest obstacle to progress is ignorance! Most people faced with the irritation and annoyance of eczema only seek one point of view, that of their medical provider. Unfortunately, most traditional doctors in Western countries only provide drug therapy for eczema. The drugs used such as topical steroids are not recommended for use on a child’s face and over the long term can thin the skin and the bones. Progress, however, can be made by natural means beginning with avoidance of triggers and irritants.

1) Avoid dry skin. Keep the skin moist with lotions and emollients. Many people fail to properly moisturize the skin. This allows eczema to take hold and increases the itch which leads to scratching and this leads to raw, open sores.

2) Avoid long hot baths. Long hot baths deplete the skins essential oils. Even if lotion is used after the bath it is difficult to replenish all the lost oils. Short baths are good to clean the skin of dust and bacteria. If you keep the bath short and the water lukewarm, you will not lose much skin oil and using lotion after the bath will have much greater success in keeping the skin moist.

3) Avoid synthetic clothing. Particularly in children, synthetic clothing can irritate the skin and contribute to eczema. Use cotton clothing where at all possible and you will minimize one more factor in eczema.

4) Avoid foods to which you may be allergic. This is easy said than done but essential to controlling eczema. Many of us don’t know that we may be allergic to certain foods and we need to have an allergenist do a skin test to find out to what we may be allergic. Together with a skin test, a food elimination test may be necessary to pinpoint the foods to which you may be allergic.

5) Avoid or reduce the stress in your life. Stress is the sneakiest aggravator of health problems. We live such stressful lives in our modern world that we don’t even notice it. It is just a part of modern life. It is also a major aggravator of eczema. Reduce your stress and you will improve your eczema.

Beating eczema is not an easy task, but taking action to avoid dry skin, long hot baths, synthetic clothing, food allergens and stress can go a long way to improving and eventually beating eczema.