Home Remedies for Eczema

Certain substances can irritate the skin without being allergens and, for many people with eczema, avoiding these substances can effectively reduce inflammation. There are simple measures you can take to protect your skin and these include:

Using emollients (such as aqueous cream) instead of soap; your doctor or pharmacist will advise you if you are uncertain about which product to use.

Installing a water softener if you live in a hard water area and your eczema clears when you visit a soft water area.

Taking brief baths (15 minutes maximum) in warm (not hot) water, using an emollient -such as an aqueous cream or a handful of oatmeal placed in a sock and tied under the hot tap so that the water runs through it as it fills the tub. Then wrap yourself in a dry towel without rubbing, and apply aqueous cream or other emollient immediately afterwards, even if the skin is not completely dry.

Wearing pure cotton clothing next to the skin, as wool and artificial fibres can irritate, Clothes, towels and bedding should all be washed in non-irritant soap or non- biological washing powder.

Keeping fingernails short and clean will help to reduce damage to the skin and prevent the introduction of infection if you tend to scratch at night.

Staying cool

Avoiding smoking and smoky places. .