Posts Tagged ‘aromatherapy oils for eczema’

Essential Oils To Treat Eczema Naturally

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Scientifically called dermatitis, eczema can be defined as inflammation of the outmost layer of skin—the epidermis. Eczema can affect people of all age groups, but is most common among infants. However, in 50% of the infants, the affliction gets cured by the age of three years, while in rest of them the disease may recur throughout life. Based on the causes and symptoms, eczema can be classified into various types including atopic dermatitis, contact eczema, nummular eczema, neurodermatitis, and stasis dermatitis.

The prime causes of eczema are skin defects which debar its function as a barrier between the external environment and the body. An immune system malfunction can also cause eczema. It can also be passed on with other hereditary traits. Environmental allergens and chemicals in soaps, perfumes, and detergent can also cause eczema.

The symptoms of eczema include the appearance of blisters of lesions on the skin. However, eczema can also cause dry and scaly skin. It leads to reddening of skin with immense itching and inflammation. The symptoms can be seen on the forehead, cheeks, elbows, ankles, and knees.

There are various natural eczema relief remedies, one of the most effective being aromatherapy. You can deploy essential oils as effective eczema remedy for infants as well as adults.

The specifics of aromatherapy for eczema treatment are as follows:

  • Lavender essential oil is an excellent agent to relieve itching, a prime symptom of eczema. It has a soothing effect on your skin and is known for its regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • You can also palmarosa essential oil, which is anti-microbial in action and particularly effective against bacteria and viruses. As such, it boosts your immune system and enhances your resistance against microbes causing eczema.
  • Tamanu and rosehip oils can also be used to cure eczema on account of their regenerative properties. These oils are effective in regenerating skin cells lost due to eczema.
  • You can also use a blend of thyme essential oil or eucalyptus essential oil with a soothing base oil for long-term relief from eczema.
  • Other essential oils that are effective in eczema treatment include cedar wood oil, germanium oil, chamomile oil, jasmine oil, helichrysum oil, and myrrh oil.

You can apply these essential oils directly on the affected skin areas in combination with a carrier oil like olive or jojoba oil. You can also use them as infusions. Do consult an aromatherapy specialist or dermatologist before you deploy essential oils to relieve eczema. It is imperative to diagnose the cause of the affliction before taking up a treatment.

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Aromatherapy for Eczema Treatment

Friday, June 19th, 2009

Eczema is a fairly common skin problem, and is actually the name for a number of similar medical conditions that make the skin inflamed or irritated. The most common of these conditions is atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as atopic eczema. It refers to a group of conditions which are often inherited with a tendency to develop other allergies like asthma and hay fever. The disease is very common in infants and young children. Some children outgrow the disease, but for others, it turns chronic and they may occasionally experience symptoms throughout their lives.

  • Eczema Symptoms

Eczema can appear all over the body, but the most common areas are the face, knees, feet and hands. Eczema is almost always itchy, and sometimes, the skin may begin to itch even before the rash appears. The skin appears to be crusty, very dry, thickened or scaly. It may sometimes have a reddish colour, and then slowly turn brown. In people with dark skin, the rash can affect pigmentation, and may actually sometimes make the affected area lighter. In the case of infants, the rash may cause oozing, and the skin may crust over. Again, it appears mostly on the face and skull, but can appear anywhere on the body.

  • Causes of Eczema

There may be a number of reasons for an eczema outbreak, but the exact causes of this disease are unknown. Hereditary causes are thought to cause eczema, but it is also thought to be caused by an overactive response by the immune system. This response can be caused by a variety of triggers, which may vary from person to person. Stress is also known to cause outbreaks.

Some people suffer episodes, or ‘flare-ups’ because of contact with certain conditions or substances. These may include extended contact with coarse materials, heat or cold, substances like detergents, or contact with animals. Respiratory problems can also cause an outbreak.

  • Eczema Treatment

While there is no real cure for the problem, and one just has to wait out the disease, there are many ways to manage the disease. These include identifying the irritants, and medical treatment in the form of lotions and creams. Doctors may also prescribe antihistamines or other medicines.

  • Essential Oils for Eczema

There are a number of essential oils that can help with eczema. Since it is often caused by stress, oils that will calm and relax you will help. For dry eczema, chamomile, geranium, or lavender essential oil will help. For weeping eczema, bergamot and juniper will give you some respite from the discomfort.

A blend of Bergamot oil, Sweet Marjoram oil, True Melissa oil, and Rosemary oil is an effective natural remedy. An aromatherapist can make a blend of these oils by using a carrier oil. This can be applied directly to the skin, or used in a bath to provide rel

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