5 Home Remedies for Eczema

Eczema causes dry, itchy skin patches or rashes for up to 20% of kids and 10% of adults worldwide. While there is no sure way to prevent all eczema symptoms, appropriate treatments and lifestyle changes can go a long way.

At her offices in Valencia, Burbank, and Lancaster, California, Dr. Maricar Cutillar-Garcia provides effective eczema care for patients of all ages.

If you have this common skin condition, consider the following home remedies to better manage your symptoms.

1. Avoid irritating soaps and cleaners

Many soaps can make your eczema worse. Instead of washing your skin or clothes with products containing harsh chemicals, choose hypoallergenic alternatives. A label like “fragrance-free” or “plant-based” usually indicates a gentle, non-irritating cleanser.

The same goes for typical dryer sheets and dish soaps versus more natural or unscented options. In general, choose products designed for sensitive skin.

2. Change your skincare routine

Keeping your skin clean and moisturized. While you’re avoiding irritating cleansers, opt for fragrance-free lotions. For added benefits, select moisturizers that contain eczema-soothing ingredients, like aloe vera, oats, vitamin E, or shea butter.

Take brief, warm showers instead of long, hot baths. Furthermore, maintaining comfortable, moderate room temperatures can also benefit your skin.

3. Choose the right clothing

Your clothing choices may make or break your day in terms of eczema comfort. To keep a flare-up from worsening, wear breathable, lightweight clothing in the summer. 

During colder months, consider clothing made of silk, which retains warmth, or merino wool, which is less scratchy than other wools. 

Regardless of the time of year, change your clothes after exercise to keep sweat from exacerbating your eczema. 

4. Manage stress

While chronic and severe stress often fuels eczema, mindfulness exercises can help ease stress and your symptoms. A study showed that mindfulness and self-compassion training reduced the severity of eczema symptoms in women.

Other ways to manage stress include talk therapy, asking for help more often, and routine stretching or yoga. When possible, avoid stressful situations altogether.

5. Pinpoint your other eczema triggers

Eczema affects people differently, so knowing your personal triggers can go far. To figure out what seems to kickstart or worsen your symptoms, track your symptoms as well as your daily happenings and environmental changes in a journal, computer document, or phone memo. 

That record can serve as a helpful tool for you and for Dr. Cutillar-Garcia as she creates your eczema treatment plan. She may recommend allergy testing to confirm or rule out eczema symptoms as an allergic reaction. 

For personalized eczema care, including recommended medical and home treatments, call our office or request an appointment with Dr. Cutillar-Garcia through our website today.